On the 1 North hospital wing at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, oncology nurses care for patients with complex needs, including those undergoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Recognizing the emotional and clinical challenges faced by newly hired nurses, Assistant Nurse Manager Gurpreet Kang, BSN, RN, led the development of the new Oncology Nurse Mentorship Program in 2024.

Using evidence-based resources from the Oncology Nursing Society, Kang designed a structured mentorship model tailored to the unique demands of oncology nursing. The program includes detailed guidelines for mentor-mentee pairing, meeting frequency, professional behavior expectations, and criteria for successful completion.

1 North Clinical Nurse Leilanie De Leon, MSN, RN, OCN suggested the incorporation of training pathways aligned with the Acute Leukemia & Lymphoma Center of Excellence Mentor/Mentee Training Pathway as well as a tracking log to document progress and goals.

The first cohort of new oncology nurses began the program in March 2025. Through regular mentorship sessions, participants received guidance, gained confidence, and advanced their professional development goals. Post-program evaluations showed significant growth in mentees’ skills and satisfaction. Kang’s leadership has created a sustainable framework that fosters professional growth, supports nurse retention, and enhances patient care.

The Oncology Nurse Mentorship Program exemplifies nursing excellence, promotes resilience in high-acuity settings, and strengthens the future of oncology nursing at Kaiser Permanente Roseville.