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 Tammy –
Tammy Goodnight is an Oncology Certified Registered Nurse in the Virtual Care Center. She has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University with over 23 years oncology experience and has worked in the inpatient/outpatient, infusion, triage, and research settings.
Tammy, can you share a bit about your journey into oncology nursing and what inspired you to specialize in this field?
My love and compassion for people along with the desire to make a difference in someone’s life is why I became a nurse. The first four years of my nursing career were spent working in an inpatient hospital unit where I became passionate about caring for patients with cancer. Patients I cared for were admitted to the hospital either from the ER with a new cancer diagnosis or complications of their cancer or management of side effects from chemotherapy.
I then had the opportunity to work six years in an outpatient oncology clinic administering chemotherapy and providing education to patients and their families. I spent six years of my career as an oncology research coordinator/nurse and the last seven years in virtual care. Over the 23 years as an oncology nurse, I have walked the journey with many family members and friends. My experience as an oncology nurse has allowed me to provide additional comfort throughout their cancer journey.
What are some of the unique challenges and rewards of working as an oncology nurse compared to other nursing specialties?
As an oncology nurse, it is a challenge to see people of all ages fight cancer. It is a tough road not only for the patient but for their loved ones as well. Watching people go through the struggles of a cancer diagnosis and then the complications and side effects of their treatment can take a toll. It is rewarding to know I am helping someone by providing comfort and hope during a difficult and scary time. Oncology patients show such gratitude and appreciation which is very heart warming. Caring for cancer patients helps put life into perspective.
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 establish trusting relationships by listening and addressing issues, letting them know any question is appropriate. I provide support and understanding for their concerns. For cancer patients, anything out of the ordinary is scary. They become apprehensive about everything and want confirmation and assurance that what they are doing is correct or guidance on how to manage symptoms. This mentality applies to both in-person and virtual care.
Can you describe a particularly memorable patient interaction or experience that has stayed with you throughout your career?
I am a big hugger and one time I asked a patient if I could give him a hug. He said, “no, I am not a hugger.” I continued to provide care every two weeks for this patient when he was in the clinic for treatment. After about two and a half years, he decided to stop treatment and go on hospice. He walked over to the nurses’ station and motioned for me to come over to where he was standing. He wrapped his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug I’ve received. I knew at that moment that I was in fact making a difference. It is why I do what I do every day with a smile.
How do you prioritize self-care and prevent burnout while working in a demanding and sometimes emotionally taxing environment?
I strive for work-life balance and spend quality time with family and friends. I engage in hobbies like gardening, reading, music, movies, and spending time with my grandchildren. Working with cancer patients puts life into perspective. Live your life to its fullest and take nothing for granted.
What advice would you give to aspiring oncology nurses who are considering entering this specialty?
Be passionate about what you do while educating and advocating for the patients you care for. Provide passionate care by listening and supporting diagnosis and treatment side effects. Encourage patients to participate in their care.
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and treatments in nursing?
I receive updates on new and changing regimens and oncology medications daily. I am a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and keep up with new medications and treatments available. When I hear of a drug or treatment I am not familiar with, I research and educate myself. I participate in Continuing Education, which is required to maintain my Oncology Nursing Certification.
During Oncology Nursing Month, what message would you like to convey to your fellow oncology nurses around the world?
Oncology nurses are amazing people who enable patients to feel cared for and valued. They are compassionate, caring, selfless and meet the needs of a specialized group of people. The collaboration through many organizations has been amazing during my 23 years of oncology nursing. Take care of yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed talk with someone or reach out to a colleague. Continue to build relationships with other oncology nurses.
What do you want other Oncology Nurses to know about Reimagine Care’s Virtual Care Center?
Working in the Virtual Care Center has been an amazing opportunity to utilize my oncology nursing experience to provide emotional, educational and supportive care to patients and their families from the comfort of their home. We are at their fingertips with a simple phone call or text message. We serve as a bridge between the patient and the clinic. The compassion and empathy given by our oncology nurses bring healing to the patients we each interaction.
What do you want patients to know about the importance of being proactive in their journey regarding symptom management?
Patients should feel empowered to be their own advocate. They will not get an answer if they don’t ask their questions. Knowing the expected side effects and understanding ways to manage those side effects will help in navigating their care. I encourage patients to reach out to their care team with concerns and not wait until the next visit. Being proactive in their care can keep them on track with their treatment regimen and keep them out of the hospital.
Tammy, do you have any closing thoughts you’d like to share?
I love going to work every day and look forward to having an impact on someone’s life in a positive way, whether it is listening to concerns, educating on med management, controlling their symptoms, or reassuring and guiding them through their cancer journey. Oncology nurses are a great support for patients and their families. It is an honor for me to specialize in oncology nursing.
Our interview with Tammy has shed light on the unwavering dedication, compassion, and resilience that nurses and providers embody each day.
As we celebrate Oncology Nursing Month, Reimagine Care is honored to recognize their valuable contributions. Tammy’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 support nurses and providers not just this week, but every day, as they continue to selflessly care for 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.