An interview With @Gayle Jameson, MSN, ACNP-BC, AOCN®
As interviewed by @Aileen Anglin, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP
Meet Gayle S. Jameson, a nurse practitioner at
HonorHealth Research Institute (HRI) in Scottsdale, Arizona. With over 40 years of oncology experience, she has a passion for patient care and oncology research. She is a Clinical Investigator in the Oncology Clinical Trials department at HRI, a position historically only filled by physicians. Through her work, she has helped pave the way for other advanced practitioners to become involved in research. Gayle was the recipient of the 2019 Oncology Nursing Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2020
Luminary Award in GI Cancers by The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. She was a presenter at the JADPRO Workshop in May 2023 in the session “Crisis in Clinical Research: Solutions from the AP Perspective.”
What type of practice setting do you currently work in?
I work in a large, community-based seven-hospital system in an outpatient oncology research clinic where we treat cancer patients on phase I, II, and investigator-initiated trials. My practice is now focused on caring for patients with all stages of pancreatic and biliary cancers. At our Institute, along with Dr. Erkut Borazanci, who is an expert in pancreatic cancer research, we see over 200 patients per year with pancreatic cancer. As a clinician and researcher, I am able to limit the number of patients I see in a day and can spend up to 1 hour with a patient and their family if needed for symptom management, treatment modifications, teaching, emotional support, etc.
What is your educational/training background and certification?
I obtained my master’s as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with a subspecialty in oncology from the University of Pittsburgh. I hold certifications as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN®) through the Oncology Nursing Society and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Were there any mentors from your past who drew you to the field?
I have been fortunate to have many mentors and role models both personally and professionally throughout my life. There are too many to name them all here.
When finishing nursing school in 1975, my heart was set on becoming a surgical nurse. That all changed when I met Kathleen Hays, RN, MSN, who was the head nurse of the oncology unit at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh, now University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Kathy shared her passion for caring for cancer patients and changed my professional direction to oncology. She also encouraged me to join the Oncology Nursing Society, which has benefited my career over the past 4 decades.
Regarding my development as a clinical investigator in early drug development trials, I must give credit to my research mentor and sponsor, Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, who over the past 17 years of working together has challenged me relentlessly and taught much of what I know about clinical research. Dr. Von Hoff continues to be a huge supporter of NPs as clinical investigators in early drug development and has been a champion in teaching and advocating for NPs in this role. He also introduced me to bench science partners and pharmaceutical companies who have supported and contributed to my research studies.
Can you speak about your role as an NP?
Has your role changed over the years?
I began my role as an NP in 1997, in Pittsburgh, where I developed my skill and knowledge base in caring for adults with oncologic and hematologic cancers. I appreciate the excellent education I received at the University of Pittsburgh and the encouragement and role modeling of Dr. Margaret Rozenberg, faculty member at Pitt’s School of Nursing. Moving to Arizona in 2006 for my current position at HRI, I initially provided outpatient and inpatient care for our research patients. I grew into the role of subinvestigator on multiple clinical trials. In 2008, serving as a principal investigator, or PI, on a phase I trial, which was uncommon for an NP, I was promoted to the position of Associate Clinical Investigator, and I continue in that position. I share patient care and research responsibilities with our physicians and six NP colleagues who are clinical experts and who function in the role of subinvestigators.
What are the most satisfying parts of your role?
The most satisfying part of my position is the time spent with patients and their families. Seeing the resilience of individuals with difficult cancers bravely undergoing investigational therapies is a privilege. Helping them to manage symptoms and live their best lives for as long as they may have brings me joy and satisfaction. As most professionals working in oncology, I continue to learn valuable life (and death) lessons from my patients.
Through research, we are making great strides in improving the quality and quantity of life for many cancer patients, including those with pancreatic cancer. I am also very fortunate to wear two hats in my position, that of a bedside clinician and a researcher, participating in the development and conduct of trials for the patients under my care.
Collaborative practice is such an important facet of APSHO and oncology care in general. How do you see the NP role in terms of collaborative practice?
I have always valued my professional relationships with physicians and other health-care professionals. I have been intentional in working with those who respect the role and contributions of the NP and understand that we learn from each other. Thankfully, I observe that the days of the physician hierarchy are diminishing. I am fortunate to work in a practice where the NPs are considered colleagues with the physicians and whose voices are welcomed and valued. I will say that these relationships do not always happen immediately but require intention and clarity of expectations in working together as colleagues to offer outstanding care to our patients.
Working in a collaborative practice, our physicians often introduce the NP as a vital, competent member of our team. This demonstrates confidence to our patients that they are in good hands, as the NPs do most of the routine patient visits, with our physicians available for complex cases, scan reviews, and treatment planning.
What do you find rewarding and most challenging about research, and why should oncology APs consider getting involved in research?
My role truly has been that of a pioneer, which I say humbly, as it is uncommon. Per the FDA, competent non-physicians can serve as PIs leading drug studies as long as a physician is a subinvestigator to aid in medical decisions. I have been able to lead clinical trials because of the great leadership and administrative support at HRI along with the guidance, education, and partnerships with physicians, NPs, nurses, and our research staff. The role of PI has many responsibilities and challenges, ultimately patient safety and study integrity, but the rewards of participating in potential advances in care for our patients is worth it. APs with desire, adequate support, and education are capable to serve as clinical investigators.
Tell us more about your membership in APSHO.
APSHO has provided me with many valuable educational and networking opportunities. I have been able to connect with colleagues across the country with similar professional needs and successes. In the future, I hope that APSHO continues to offer high-quality education with more attention to clinical research and potential roles for APs in this exciting field.
What are your current research pursuits
and interests?
My current goals include publishing several completed intervention trials, then shifting my focus to research in the high-risk population and early detection of pancreatic cancer. This is an important and expanding area of research. I am interested and motivated by the explosion of new knowledge in molecular biology and mutations causing the evolution of cancer. My hope for patients is that through ongoing research, the many mysteries of risk, cause, and prevention may be just around the corner.
I will add that I am proud to have been a co-founder and faculty member of an educational course for NPs, sponsored by HonorHealth and City of Hope, held in 2018 and 2020, the “Oncology Nurse Practitioner Clinical Investigator Intensive Course.” HRI is planning to offer this four-day “Boot Camp” course for APs interested in developing into the role of clinical investigator again in February 2024.
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