Date of Graduation

Summer 8-11-2026

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

Kaiser cohort MSN capstone

First Advisor

Dr. Cathy Coleman

Second Advisor

Dr. Sara Horton-Deutsch

Abstract

Problem: Newly hired nurses on a busy inpatient leukemia and lymphoma subspeciality unit experienced challenges after transitioning into specialty oncology practice. This resulted in decreased confidence, increased risk of medication errors, and a 40% unit-based annual turnover rate. The cost of replacing one staff nurse is $61,000.  Exit interviews determined root causes of turnover rates, nurse confidence.

Context: A quality improvement program was envisioned to optimize patient and organizational outcomes on a 25-bed inpatient unit to evaluate and sustain an oncology nurse mentorship program.

Interventions: Over one year, cohort 1 (n=8) and follow up 2nd cohort (n=7) was implemented to apply best practices. Monthly mentorship sessions necessitated protected time for both mentors and mentees to provide oncology-specific education and a digital platform for tracking progress.

Measures: Baseline data was collected. Two outcome measures were tracked in cohort 1& 2 (n=15): nurse confidence and monthly nurse retention. In cohort 2 (n=7) medication errors were also evaluated.

Results: Baseline nurse confidence increased from 29% to 75%; nurse retention in both cohorts improved from 40% to 100%. In cohort 2, medication errors decreased from 0.2% to 0%.  Nurse retention rates resulted in annual savings of $830,400 for the unit.

Conclusions: The evaluation and continuation of a cohort-based mentorship program demonstrated that a structured program is practical and cost-effective to improve patient and organizational outcomes. These programs require consistent guidance and leadership support. The clinical nurse leader can successfully promote professional development, improve quality and safety, increase and sustain nurse retention across healthcare systems.

Download

Share

COinS