The nurse navigator: An evolving model of care

Abstract

This opinion piece describes the role of the nurse navigator as a forward step in the evolution of nursing models of care. The article outlines the historical development of the patient navigator role and the potential of this role to be embedded in contemporary models of interdisciplinary primary health care practice across health settings. As the pivot person in the interdisciplinary team, the nurse navigator can make a significant contribution to health reform by working towards patient-centred care wherein patients receive timely, seamless, culturally appropriate guidance and support for developing health literacy. Having patients empowered by a level of health literacy that enables them to better navigate through the services they need has an important impact on their ability for shared decision-making. It also contributes to health system improvement by improving access, equity, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of health services. These improvements are most notable during transitions from acute to continuing care, where the nurse navigator can also be instrumental in achieving better service integration. The role of nurse navigator has enormous potential for assisting the rapidly growing population with complex and chronic conditions as well as others who are underserved or experiencing disconnected patterns of care.