A Day in the Life of an Oncology Nurse Case Manager
Christine Shaw Regan, BSN, RN, CCM, who works at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Zion, IL, describes her day as anything but routine. She might collaborate with hospitalists to assess patients traveling in for treatment or assist families in locating financial resources to alleviate stress. At any given time, she might be working with hospitalists to assess a cancer patient who has traveled from another state to undergo treatment at CTCA or helping a patient's family locate resources to ease their financial burden.
Oncology nurse case managers—referred to as care managers at CTCA—offer vital support to patients and their families from admission through recovery. Regan explains, “My role is to coordinate every aspect of care, progressing with the patient from hospitalization through treatment and convalescence.”
Case managers advocate for their patients, collaborating with doctors, caregivers, and insurance companies to ensure access to essential services. Their involvement often extends beyond traditional medical care.
Managing Co-Morbidities and Holistic Needs
Every patient’s journey is unique. Case managers support patients in identifying evidence-based treatments and providers, managing symptoms and treatment side effects, and ensuring emotional, social, and spiritual support. They also help manage co-existing conditions like diabetes or heart disease through coordinated care among various providers.
Effective discharge planning is essential—especially when patients return home to other states or when their medication regimes have changed. Managers like Regan ensure communication continuity to maintain patient well-being post-discharge.
The Growing Role of Leadership and Staffing
At MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Donna Ukanowicz, MS, RN, ACM, leads a team of 41 nurse case managers and plans to add 13 more. She values candidates who are organized, excellent communicators, and negotiation-savvy. A bachelor’s degree is required, oncology experience preferred—and self-care is critical for this emotionally demanding role.
Staying Current in a Rapidly Evolving Field
Oncology is one of medicine’s quickest-moving specialties. Case managers must stay informed on new treatments and medications. They also work to connect patients with clinical trials and support access to necessary medications.
Certification: Recognition and Advancement
Industry-recognized certifications—including those from the American Case Management Association (ACM) and the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC)—offer professional validation. Employers increasingly require board certification, and certified case managers often receive enhanced compensation.
Outpatient Roles and Expanded Skill Sets
Many oncology nurse case managers work in outpatient settings—within clinics, insurance companies, or specialty areas. Linda Omi, BSN, RN, illustrates this as an outpatient case manager at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, CA. Her background in hospice nursing equips her to educate families, assess treatment responses, and link patients to both internal and community resources.
Beyond medical coordination, oncology case managers often meet practical patient needs, such as arranging transportation for chemotherapy appointments or helping families manage financial stress when work becomes difficult.
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