Moffitt Cancer Center

Providing Care for Patients With Multiple Myeloma

The Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, is 1 of 41 cancer centers in the United States to receive the National Cancer Institute’s designation as a comprehensive cancer center, and it is the only such center based in the state of Florida. As a center of excellence, Moffitt takes care of patients’ needs starting with diagnosis through cancer treatment on to survivorship. Moffitt is also an active research center, covering basic science, prevention, and clinical research with the goal of translating discoveries into improved patient care. Moffitt is committed to Total Cancer Care—a personalized course of treatment that provides individualized therapies based on a patient’s unique genetic fingerprint.

The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA spoke with Elizabeth (Beth) Finley, RN, OCN, about her role at the Moffitt Cancer Center, where she works exclusively with patients with multiple myeloma.

Tell me about your position at Moffitt.
Beth Finley (BF): I am part of a team of physicians, oncologic pharmacists, and nurses who specialize in the management of patients with multiple myeloma. The myeloma team within the department of malignant hematology includes 3 nurses (Sheri Lemanski, RN, BSN, OCN; Christine Simonelli, RN, BSN, OCN; Lisa Nodzon, PhD, ARNP, AOCNP) and myself; 1 pharmacist; and 2 physicians. I educate patients about their disease and the management of side effects of therapies, and coordinate their care within a multidisciplinary approach. In addition, given that myeloma is not curable, the primary focus of therapy is to improve quality of life, decrease complications of the disease, and extend survival. When deciding on treatment options, we always consider a clinical trial, as patients who present to our center are often interested in considering a novel approach to manage their disease, including recently approved therapies such as carfilzomib and pomalidomide.

What are some of the challenges in your job?
BF: Caring for patients with a noncurable cancer can be challenging on many levels: helping patients cope with a new diagnosis, navigating the patient through financial constraints of modern healthcare, ensuring adherence to therapy, and helping patients with end-of-life decisions.

What are some of the rewards of your job?
BF: Patients with advanced cancers have tremendous resilience and optimism in the face of adversity. This adds perspective to our handling of everyday problems we face. I am grateful to be part of their lives and often their families’ lives.

What are you excited about in the field of myeloma right now?
BF: Research in the field of myeloma has led to approval of several new drugs, including carfilzomib and pomalidomide in the last year. We participated in the clinical trials that led to approval of those drugs. Having more drugs available to treat myeloma means that patients are living longer and better, and we are moving toward making this a chronic disease. Our patients benefit from these drugs and also from our multidisciplinary approach, which can include a neurosurgeon, orthopedist, radiation and medical oncologists, and oncology nurses, as well as the expertise of a social worker, nutritionist, physical therapist, and home healthcare when needed.

What inspired you to be an oncology nurse, and how long have you been in the field?
BF: I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. I had a dear family member who was affected by esophageal cancer. Going through the process with my family dealing with a diagnosis, treatment, and end of life was very difficult. This led me to the field of oncology. I was a nursing assistant while attending nursing school at Moffitt Cancer Center. I’ve spent 7 years in oncology, 2 years in leukemia, and the last 5 years in myeloma. I have found my home with myeloma patients. I love the elderly population. I am currently working toward my nurse practitioner license while working full time and attending school part time.

Has the role of oncology nurse evolved over the past 5 years?
BF: Yes. We have more of a voice than we had in the past 5 years. At Moffitt we are now committed to a shared governance model. Nurses participate in decision-making about daily care of patients.

What advice would you give to a person entering the field of oncology nursing?
BF: Taking care of oncology patients is a rewarding job. The patients are very appreciative of the support they get through the disease process. The supportive care given by oncology nurses begins at diagnosis and continues past death to the patient’s family.

What would you do if you weren’t an oncology nurse?
BF: Even if I won the lottery, I would still be a myeloma nurse. But since I love to take care of children, the elderly, and animals, I could work with any of those groups.