Advocacy and Self-Care: Emily Beard on Oncology Navigation

In the latest episode of the “Onc Nurse on Call” podcast, co-editors-in-chief Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, and Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN, sat down with Emily M. Beard, BSN, RN, OCN, CBCN, BHCN. As an oncology survivorship navigator at the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Beard shared how she transitions clinical challenges into opportunities for advocacy and personal resilience.

Though Beard initially entered nursing intending to become a midwife, she was drawn to oncology navigation by the promise of deep, long-term relationships. "I love getting to know people's families and their spouses and their parents, and celebrating journeys with them," Beard said. Navigators frequently walk alongside patients through years of survivorship, witnessing milestones like children graduating from high school. "It's really gratifying to see people make it to those milestones and celebrate them," she noted.

These strong clinical bonds naturally led Beard into advocacy. To support young breast cancer survivors, she partnered with the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) and Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). Over the years, her volunteering grew into facilitating national workshops and expanding local survivorship services to include complementary medicine, such as oncology massage and gentle yoga.

Recently, Beard represented nursing at YSC's Research Think Tank 2.0. As the sole oncology nurse among approximately 30 healthcare professionals, she worked to establish the organization's 10-year research agenda. Beard brought patients' direct needs to the forefront. "I got to bring the voices of so many of my patients forward to help center the conversation around what's important to women who are younger than age 40 facing breast cancer," she said. Key areas of emphasis included fertility preservation, sexual side effects, shared treatment decisions, and racial equity in clinical outcomes for Black and Latina women.

Embracing these leadership roles requires a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone. "A lot of times I'll just say, 'say yes.' Like, if someone asks you to do something, say yes, just do it. It may scare you a little bit," Beard advised.

To sustain her energy across her demanding clinical journey and prevent burnout, Beard emphasizes an "oxygen mask" approach to self-care. She prioritizes rest, hydration, and short walks. She also embraces her emotional nature.

"The vulnerability that I can be true with patients, whether it's my true happiness for them or also my grief and my pain along with them, is something that I think helps to ground that deeply feeling, deeply emotional part of myself," she explained.

Beyond clinical environments, Beard maintains her batteries by spending time in nature, gardening, and laughing with her family. At age 40, she also returned to dance by joining a weekly hip-hop class. "It's kind of like I can be silly," she shared. "We just have fun and we support each other... it's good for the soul."