Throughout Oncology Nursing Month, Reimagine Care will highlight our Virtual Care Team aiming to showcase the passion, expertise, and dedication of the Clinical Team. These valuable insights display the challenges and rewards of working in this specialty.
Meet Cassie-
Cassie Canedo is an Advanced Practioner at Reimagine Care. Previously, she served as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner and is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in oncology for over 10 years at the bedside, in ambulatory care, and telemedicine from diagnosis through survivorship of benign hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant patients.
Cassie, can you share a bit about your journey into oncology nursing and what inspired you to specialize in this field?
Going into my undergraduate nursing program at the University of Michigan, I was not even sure I wanted to work in the hospital. During my rotations I did not seem to connect with most areas of practice. That is until I was placed on an oncology/BMT floor. I felt challenged to think critically as I cared for patients with complex diagnoses and care requirements. I connected with patients and their families in a way that I had not in other specialties. Caring for oncology patients is a privilege and allows you to be a part of very vulnerable situations and conversations surrounding their care. Wanting to make a bigger difference sent me on the path to get my advanced degree to be a Nurse Practitioner at the University of Pennsylvania.
What are some of the unique challenges and rewards of working as an oncology nurse compared to other nursing specialties?
Specializing in oncology gives you a wide experience from diagnosis, through treatment, and in some cases, through hospice care. This can be a long-time frame or brief but you still become close to patients and their families as they navigate these complex decisions. It is an opportunity to have difficult conversations and respect a patient’s choices on the direction of their care. You build a relationship with patients and their families as you help them through their cancer journey.
How do you approach providing care and support to patients and their families facing a cancer diagnosis, especially now that you are in a virtual environment?
I have found that patients and their families are very responsive to the virtual care space. It allows them to continue with their daily lives & still get the care they need. Many patients are trying to continue working and being with their families while undergoing treatment. The virtual space allows them to do this while still having contact with their teams for side effects and symptom management.
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and treatments in nursing?
In clinical practice, it is important to know the constant evolution of treatments and potential management of side effects. APP and nursing conferences are a wonderful way to stay up on skills and new developments related to cancer care. It is also a way to network with our fellow oncology nurses. You find out that the oncology world is smaller than you think. Attending regular in-services given by your organization or those given by national groups is a fantastic way to expand your knowledge.
During Oncology Nursing Month, what message would you like to convey to your fellow oncology nurses around the world?
How much I appreciate their dedication and love for this specialty. I have worked with amazing nurses and APPs through the years who I have learned so much from. I am grateful as each of them has made me a better clinician and overall person in this world. I could not be prouder to be part of such an elite group of nurses worldwide.
What do you want other Oncology Nurses to know about Reimagine Care’s Virtual Care Center?
I want other Oncology Nurses to know we are a group of highly qualified nurses and APPs poised to extend the clinical setting. We can quickly respond to patients in their time of need & take the burden off the clinic to manage patients’ symptoms and questions surrounding side effects related to treatment.
What do you want patients to know about the importance of being proactive in their journey regarding symptom management?
I always educate patients on the importance of early management of their symptoms. It is better to stay on top of symptoms rather than chase them down when they have become out of control. Our goal is to manage symptoms early so treatment is as tolerable as possible.
Our interview with Cassie has shed light on the unwavering dedication, compassion, and resilience that nurses and providers embody each day.
As we celebrate Oncology Nursing Month, it is crucial to recognize their valuable contributions. Cassie’s stories not only inspire gratitude but also serve as a reminder of the profound impact nurses have on the lives they touch. Let’s continue to honor and support nurses and providers not just this week, but every day, as they continue to selflessly care others with boundless empathy and commitment.
About Reimagine Care:
We believe people living with cancer deserve a better patient experience; to feel their best and to spend as much time as possible with the people they love, doing the things that bring them joy. Reimagine Care integrates clinical oncology experts and robust, enabling technologies to deliver a high-touch, individualized cancer treatment and recovery experience. This holistic approach relies on the combination of empathy and knowledge of our clinical care team with our thoughtfully designed and easy-to-use platform.
Our vision and our approach fuel the delivery of high-quality, safe, home-centered, coordinated cancer care that makes care more patient-centric, accessible, affordable, and the first choice for patients everywhere.
Extending Care Beyond the Clinic.