When she was in the fifth grade, Amber's grandfather died of lung cancer. It was an event that profoundly affected her and her direction in life. From a young age, Amber knew she wanted to be a nurse and to somehow work in medical research. Today, as a Clinical Research Nurse at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, she is fulfilling both of those ambitions in a job that she loves.
Her responsibilities are varied. She schedules appointments, evaluates patients for response to treatment, and checks for possible side effects. She frequently communicates through the use of phone calls and emails. She also helps patients understand what is happening to them and what they are experiencing in their particular clinical trial.
She works with several hundred patients in multiple studies, and as she points out, no two situations are alike." Every patient is unique,so there is no formula."
Information is the heart of her role as the link between doctor and patient, and Amber advocates for honest, open communication. "We never want to give false hope," she says, "we lay all the options out on the table."
Amber makes sure that the patients she works with are well informed. When she has explained the details of a clinical trial, patients know that being part of a trial may or may not help them. Either way, they often feel honored that they have a chance to help others, because what is learned from their case may help someone else.The information gathered during the studies can lead to new treatments for future patients,so all details are important.
Despite the large numbers of patients in clinical trials, Amber feels a real connection to those with whom she works, and she applauds their courage. "I know I am helping people,and they like knowing we are there for them."
For Amber, there is a personal investment in the work. "It's all about being in tune with your patients and being able to understand them," she says, "it affects you emotionally when they don't do well."
All in all, Amber finds working with patients and clinical trials very rewarding. The patients have volunteered to be part of the research studies, and she feels they need and deserve her full attention. "They (patients and their families) can sense when you care," she says.
Her grandfather would be proud.
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