An Oncology Nurse Who Lives for Others

When it comes to finding an oncology nurse with exemplary compassion, helpfulness and expertise, you want to find Luca Biagiotti, RN. Luca is the strongest, most caring, intelligent, personable and selfless person I know, and he brings all of these qualities to work with him on every shift. He uses these qualities to build relationships with patients and their families, advocate for his patients, educate his patients and their families, and be a true team player.

Luca once told me how he was caring for a patient who was approximately his age and was battling leukemia. He expressed how saddening it was to see another young person suffering so greatly. Luca did everything he could to build a relationship with this patient and make him feel less lonely at the hospital. He would sit in this patient’s room to talk to him when he had a few free moments between his work responsibilities. They bonded over common interests and eventually became friends.

Luca also built a relationship with the patient’s parents during this time. This patient and his family would request Luca whenever he was on shift because of how much better the patient felt when Luca spent time with him. Sadly, this patient passed away, but it was well known that Luca made a great difference in this patient’s care and during the last few weeks of his life. Luca went beyond the medical treatments in taking care of this patient, and he continues to do this with everyone he cares for.

Since Luca gets to know his patients so well, he can easily understand their needs. He pairs his clinical knowledge and his familiarity with his patients to advocate for the interventions or medications they need. He communicates professionally and efficiently with other providers to get patients their treatments so they get the best care during such a stressful time.

Cancer treatment is scary for patients and their loved ones. There is so much uncertainty and stress involved in making tough decisions, going through procedures and having long stays in the hospital. Luca understands this and makes sure he addresses patients’ concerns to the best of his abilities. He explains the chemotherapy treatments and medications he gives. He tells the patients which symptoms they might experience and how he can help alleviate those symptoms. He educates family members on the patient’s condition and treatment options when they find themselves in a decision-making position. He sheds light on the situation so that educated decisions can be made, and such a worrisome time is a little less scary.

Besides caring for patients, Luca cares for his co-workers. He never hesitates to help someone when they have a heavy workload and goes out of his way to take on extra responsibilities at the hospital. Luca has undergone charge nurse training and now regularly works as the charge nurse overnight at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

He also took the initiative to get phlebotomy training so he can gain intravenous (IV) access to patients when quick labs are needed. This training is not a requirement for the nurses on his unit, and access is usually obtained by the IV team. Luca knew that getting this training would lighten the load for his co-workers and help patients get faster treatment, so once again, he gave his time to help others.

Working in oncology is not for the faint of heart. So it’s a good thing that someone like Luca shows up for work with a smile on his face and is ready to help those who cannot help them- selves. Luca gives all of himself to his patients when he is at work and should be the example other oncology nurses follow. He raises the bar for caring for and educating patients and their families, and he is an impressive example of a team player. The examples I have listed are but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Luca, and I could think of no other person who is more deserving of recognition.

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