Spotlight on Lauren Oliver, lead clinical research nurse coordinator for the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion in Bluffton and Hilton Head

Lauren Oliver
Lead clinical research nurse coordinator in Bluffton and Hilton Head

Education: Bachelor of Nursing from Clemson University

Been a nurse since 2016; with the LCRP for three years

SJ/C: Why did you decide to become a nurse?

Lauren: I was inspired to become a nurse by my grandma, who has since passed, but she was a nurse for her entire career. She encouraged me when I was applying to Clemson to get a nursing degree. I’m so grateful she did. I feel like you want to get into nursing to make a difference and have impactful work, and I feel that I hopefully do that on a day-to-day basis.

SJ/C: Why did you choose the LCRP and St. Joseph’s/Candler?

Lauren: Being from Hilton Head and now living in Bluffton, I heard of the great reputation of St. Joseph’s/Candler, and getting into oncology work, the LCRP also holds a highly-regarded reputation. I was excited to see this position open and get into this field that I ultimately see myself in for a good amount of time. I have been very blessed to have this opportunity to work here. It’s such a community here and I feel that.

SJ/C: What is a clinical research nurse coordinator?

Lauren: The clinical research coordinator helps patients get on clinical trials if the opportunity exists. We screen for patients on providers’ schedules. Then, we approach the providers if we see there are potential candidates for a potential trial. At that point, the provider will have a discussion with the patient about it, and we will be part of that discussion as well to provide more information for the patient. If the patient decides to go on the clinical trial, we help navigate that entire process. We are the point of contact for them in all regards – from helping them navigate the protocol and making sure that it’s done correctly to helping them  emotionally as they go through this process. We are their point person. We do treatment trials, observational trials and industry trials where we work with pharmaceutical companies. We have a plethora of trials in our portfolio.

SJ/C: Why do you think it’s important that we offer clinical trials, especially here in Bluffton and Hilton Head?

Lauren: I feel it’s incredibly important because a lot of patients may think they don’t have options locally. They may feel like they have to go to big academic centers really far away to be able to get in certain clinical trials. Our portfolio may be a bit smaller than those big academic centers, but we still have a wide portfolio that we’re able to offer these patients to be able to stay in their hometown and still receive treatment, which is huge when you have a cancer diagnosis. It’s not ideal to travel when you can just stay home and be comfortable. Being able to offer that opportunity for patients is huge here.

SJ/C: What do you love about being a nurse?

Lauren: So many things. I love that it’s intellectually challenging. It really makes you use your brain and critical thinking skills. I love that you can make a palpable difference in patients’ lives. Your work is meaningful. I love that it gives you the ability to care for people in their most vulnerable and fragile moments, especially in the cancer setting. The relationships that are made and built with patients are my favorite part and that’s been through every specialty I’ve worked in. It gives you a reason to wake up every day and go to work.

SJ/C: Are there challenges you face, especially working in oncology?

Lauren: There have been challenges in the sense that this is uncharted territory for these patients where they typically have never gone through this before. You really have to be that stable, knowledgeable person for them. You need to be there for them emotionally and provide the information to get through this process. Cancer is also very complex in regards to the treatment options and how it works, and it’s evolving so much and changing in relation to treatment options. You are always constantly learning. You are constantly having to educate yourself and keep yourself up to speed.

And then, it can be challenging regarding the patients because you are really invested in their stories too. You hope everyone has great outcomes and unfortunately, not everyone does. But thankfully, we do see a lot of good come from it. Cancer is scary and the process can be complicated. It’s rewarding to be able to be in a position where you can help be that support person for these patients. I know there is a great team here if you do have to go through it. Thankfully, so much is being learned and the standard of care is being improved every day.

SJ/C: What would you say to new nurses or those considering a career in nursing?

Lauren: You get into nursing because, I would hope, you feel like you are called to care for others and make a difference. Not losing that passion, as easy as it can be and as burnt out as nurses can get, but just always remember why you chose the field you chose and remind yourself of that. Having self-care to get through hard moments of caring for patients is essential to keep going. People need to take care of themselves to take care of others. Remember why you chose this field. People do it because they love others and want to help.

Family: Parents, husband, five-month-old son and dog
Hobbies/Interests: Anything sports – watching football; anything water related – boating, walking the beach, bike riding on the beach; taking the dog on walks