ONF Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. - Call for Volunteer Facilitators

The Oncology Nursing Foundation (ONF) invites qualified volunteers to apply to join the Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. Program as facilitators who will be trained to deliver the program and host resilience retreats for oncology nurses in your region. To be eligible to apply, you must be a registered oncology nurse.

The Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. (Compassion, Adaptation, Reconnection, Exploration) program is offered by the Oncology Nursing Foundation, funded through the Cindi Cantril Oncology Nurses Resilience Fund. The program is designed to support oncology nurses by creating meaningful opportunities for connection, reflection, renewal, and resilience through immersive retreats. Facilitators will receive training on the program model and retreat curriculum, then work with ONF to host regional resilience retreats that bring oncology nurses together through local ONS Chapter or cancer centers.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Developed by a diverse group of oncology nurses and informed by the successful work of Cindi Cantril, MPH, RN, OCN®-Emeritus, the Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program supports oncology nurses’ well-being and resilience by fostering meaningful peer connection through retreats.

In 2001, Cindi Cantril began developing retreats for cancer survivors, later adapting them to support resilience and well-being initially with oncology nurses, then expanding to include all nursing specialties. Her CAN R&R retreats facilitated a learning and introspective environment where nurses could feel safe, heard and valued. Opportunities to immerse and reflect on the power and promise of our “calling.” Facilitators explore practical approaches to well-being and resilience. This immersive model strengthens resilience through both individual skill development and a shared sense of community. This experience over 24 years with well over 1,000 participants helped shape the Foundation’s Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program.

With support from the Cindi Cantril Oncology Nurses Resilience Fund, ONF is building on this proven model to create a program tailored to oncology nurses that helps them sustain their well-being and reconnect with their purpose.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:

The Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program will provide trained facilitators with a structured curriculum and planning resources to host in-person resilience retreats for oncology nurses through ONS Chapters and cancer centers. Retreats are designed as immersive, on-site experiences lasting at least 1.5 days and include didactic content, facilitated discussion, guided reflection, peer connection, and resilience-building activities.

Selected facilitators will attend a required in-person training retreat to learn the program model, retreat structure, curriculum, facilitation approach, and implementation expectations. ONF will provide program materials, slides, speaker notes, administrative guidance, and information and instructions for coordinating logistics onsite. Facilitators will be expected to use these tools to help plan, coordinate, and deliver retreats in alignment with the program’s goals and framework.

The strategic objectives of the Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program focus on several key areas:

1. To strengthen oncology nurse resilience and well-being
2. To foster connection, reflection, and practical resilience strategies among oncology nurses
3. To elevate and sustain peer connection and professional commitment
4. Establish a scalable national model for oncology nurse wellness

Volunteers for this opportunity must be willing to:

1. Sign and abide by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), agreeing to represent and act as an ambassador for the Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program.
2. Serve as a facilitator for the Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program and represent the program in a professional, compassionate and mission-aligned manner.
3. Participate in required in-person facilitator training on the program model, retreat structure, curriculum, facilitation approach and resilience-focused content.
4. Host or co-host at least one in-person resilience retreat for oncology nurses within their region, in partnership with ONF, within a year of training
5. Identify resources and experts in your local community to help co-lead the retreat and/or offer sessions within the defined program framework and for local resources for participants.
6. Create and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and psychologically safe environment that supports reflection, connection, vulnerability and respectful dialogue among participants.
7. Facilitate group discussions and reflective activities with sensitivity, emotional awareness, and appropriate boundaries.
8. Help guide conversations in a way that honors participant experiences while maintaining the structure, purpose and objectives of the retreat.
9. Maintain confidentiality and uphold participant trust, while following all required safety reporting or escalation guidelines provided during facilitator training.
10. Communicate promptly and professionally with ONF/ONS staff regarding retreat planning, logistics, participant needs, follow-up, and any concerns that arise before, during, or after the retreat.
11. Support retreat evaluation and continuous improvement by encouraging participant feedback, completing facilitator reflections, and sharing observations or recommendations with ONF/ONS.
12. Coordinate NCPD credit for retreats with an ANCC-accredited or approved provider, using the template materials provided by ONS.
13. Sign an agreement confirming they will adhere to the Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program’s strategic objectives and facilitator expectations; will not alter program content, materials, or assessments; and recognize that the program is owned by ONF, with program materials and content permitted for use only by approved facilitators when hosting Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. retreats.

TIME COMMITMENT:

Volunteers should anticipate a 12-month commitment, with the following obligations included:

Facilitator Activity & Estimated Time Commitment

• Attending ONF’s Facilitator Training Retreat - 3 days, in-person 
• Hosting a Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. Retreat - minimum 1.5 days per retreat, in-person
• Facilitator Group Check-In Calls with ONF - 1-2 hours per quarter, with reports due
• Planning, preparation, & follow-up between retreats - 3-5 hours per month

Additional time will be required when coordinating and hosting a regional resilience retreat. Facilitators will be trained on the Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program and will partner with ONF to support retreat implementation.

The Foundation will provide facilitators with Kaleidoscope of C.A.R.E. program materials, slides, speaker notes, administrative guidance and instructions for coordinating logistics onsite.

APPLY:

Qualified individuals are invited to apply by October 15th. Applicants must include a brief statement of interest describing why they want to serve as a facilitator, relevant experience supporting oncology nurses, and willingness to complete program training and host a minimum of one regional resilience retreat within one year of training. Applicants must also submit a resume/CV.

Please include your resume/CV in your application. The Oncology Nursing Foundation may ask for additional information regarding your expertise.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Applicants must be registered oncology nurses with a strong commitment to nurse well-being, resilience, and professional support. Preferred experience includes facilitation, teaching, mentoring, retreat or workshop leadership, chapter engagement, and implementation of wellness, resilience, or nurse engagement activities. Applicants should be comfortable learning and delivering a structured program, and engaging groups of oncology nurses.