FROM BURNOUT TO BUY-IN: TRANSFORMING ONCOLOGY NURSE SUPERVISOR RETENTION.

Significance & Background: Between December 2022 and April 2024, our oncology clinics experienced significant turnover among nurse supervisors, averaging 25% monthly. At the start of this period, we had eight nurse supervisors, and according to the Advisory Board (2023), the average cost of turnover...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Oncology Nursing Forum Vol. 53; no. 2; p. 312
Autores principales: Stein, Charlene, Nair, Kavitha, Taylor, Kyle, Haley, Cindi
Formato: Journal Article
Publicado: Oncology Nursing Society Mar2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=194211648&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 194211648
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        0190535X
        4F0
      jtl: Oncology Nursing Forum
      issn: 0190535X
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: Mar2026
      vid: 53
      iid: 2
      pid: 12496
      pub: Oncology Nursing Society
      place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    artinfo:
      ui:
        194211648
        10.1188/26.ONF.e26535271
        194211648
      ppf: 312
      ppct: 0
      formats:
        fmt:
          @attributes:
            type: P
      tig:
        atl: FROM BURNOUT TO BUY-IN: TRANSFORMING ONCOLOGY NURSE SUPERVISOR RETENTION.
      aug:
        au:
          Stein, Charlene
          Nair, Kavitha
          Taylor, Kyle
          Haley, Cindi
        affil: MHA, BSN, RN, OCN, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
      sug:
      ab: Significance & Background: Between December 2022 and April 2024, our oncology clinics experienced significant turnover among nurse supervisors, averaging 25% monthly. At the start of this period, we had eight nurse supervisors, and according to the Advisory Board (2023), the average cost of turnover for a single RN was $52,350 in 2022--making this instability financially and operationally impactful. Purpose: Across our large academic cancer center, which spans four sites, we aimed to elevate the quality of oncology nursing care. A key part of this effort was stabilizing the nurse supervisor role, which is essential to daily clinic operations and team leadership. Our goal was to reduce turnover and build a strong, engaged leadership team. Interventions: We began by analyzing root causes of turnover, identifying workload and work-life balance as major contributors. To address this, we increased the number of nurse supervisor positions, reducing team sizes from 30-40 staff to more manageable levels. Onboarding was enhanced through biweekly one-on-one meetings with the Director of Oncology Clinical Operations during a 12-week orientation, followed by quarterly check-ins. We restructured the monthly nurse supervisor forum in collaboration with cancer center nursing directors to foster ongoing support and engagement. Additional initiatives included a growing book club to build connection, flexible staffing arrangements tailored to individual needs, and active encouragement for nurse supervisors to lead quality improvement projects. Results: Over the past 16 months, we have achieved zero turnover among nurse supervisors overseeing clinic operations. As of September 2025, our team has grown to 16 nurse leaders. This stability reflects the strength and engagement of our leadership team, who are actively contributing to team development and clinical excellence. The monthly forum has become a dynamic space for collaboration and innovation. Discussion: Investing in leadership development yields meaningful and lasting results, including financial benefits. Sustaining these improvements requires empathy, intentionality, and commitment -especially when guiding nurses new to leadership. This approach not only transforms individuals but also strengthens the long-term culture and success of the cancer center. These efforts are ongoing as we continue to build and support a resilient leadership team.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N