Fast Five Q&A with breast care navigator Maria Fleury

Breast care navigator, Maria Fleury, answers five questions to help you understand how nurse navigators help patients.

As part of our Fast Five series, HCA Virginia is connecting with our colleagues to share quick insight into the work they do to support the patients in their communities.

Maria Fleury is a certified breast care nurse (C.N.B.N.) and registered nurse (R.N.) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) and over 46 years of nursing experience. She supports Reston Hospital Center in Reston, Va.

Here is our Fast Five Q&A with Maria:

Why did you choose to become a breast cancer nurse navigator; what inspired you?

Many breast cancer patients get lost in the process once they are diagnosed. As a breast navigator, I can guide patients through the healthcare system and help them overcome barriers that prevent them from getting the care they need.

Share what a nurse navigator offers to patients and your approach to patient care. 

A nurse navigator can provide expert education about the diagnosis along with treatment options.

When is a patient connected to you, and how long are you a part of their care team? 

I connect with a patient at the time they are told they need a breast biopsy and follow through with them through their diagnosis.

What is something people may not know about your job?

That you develop a deep connection with each patient that can last for many years. This job is very rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their journey with breast cancer?

Someone going to go into this field will need good leadership skills and an understanding of the pathways for the position. This includes having a good knowledge of what the work will look like and who is part of your team. Also, knowing that when you are navigating a patient through the whole continuum of care, it could be across many different departments and even different organizations.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to get to know you and help others understand more about the important work that you do as a nurse navigator, Maria!

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals in Virginia provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.