Free weekend retreats for pediatric oncology nurses
A space for rest, honest conversation, and community—so nurses can be renewed for the work they carry.
What is Choose Joy 12:3?
At Choose Joy 12:3 Nursing Retreats, we encourage pediatric oncology nurses to embrace God’s abundant love through a nurturing environment that fosters personal growth, rest, and community. Our retreats serve as a launching pad for building meaningful relationships with and creating a supportive network among nurses, encouraging a holistic approach to their well-being and professional journey.
Rest & Renewal
Conversation & Community
Encouragement & Spiritual Care
Why these retreats matter
In specialized fields like pediatric oncology, nurses often develop long-term relationships with patients due to their extended hospital stays. While these connections can be deeply rewarding, they can also be emotionally taxing. When a patient passes away, nurses face significant grief, yet they often lack time off, coping strategies, or opportunities to process these experiences with colleagues. This dynamic can lead to "burnout," resulting in high staff turnover. Experienced nurses leave these demanding roles, leaving newly trained, less experienced nurses to navigate the same challenges.
Refresh, Reconnect, Recharge
The purpose of these retreats is simple: to help nurses refresh, reconnect, and recharge. We create a setting outside the hospital where nurses can exhale, be cared for, and find support among others who understand the weight of the work.
What a Weekend Retreat Provides
Space to rest and relax
Time for conversation and connection with peers
Guided reflection for personal growth insights
Encouragement rooted in God’s abundant love
The Path to “Choosing Joy !”
Kenna Joy, our fourth child, endured 2 different cancers and a bone marrow transplant. She was uncertain and scared of the many masked medical professionals that entered her room. Through her long hospital stays, nurses patiently built rapport and trust with Kenna Joy. Slowly Kenna Joy went from exclusively staying in her room to donning scrubs and “rounding” with her nurses. We experienced how vital their patience and care was for Kenna Joy’s trust and cancer treatments. As I (mom) spoke with nurses it became apparent that while there are many organizations focusing on the care of the patient and their families, there was not a space for nurses to receive care and support. Kenna Joy and I dreamed of inviting her nurses and friends to enjoy a weekend “choosing joy” outside the hospital walls.
Kenna Joy was released from her cancer fight when she died 2 days before her fourth birthday. And while we continuously grieve, we know other families are still in the cancer fight and their nurses courageously battle next to them. We continue to live out this dream of pediatric nurses retreat that they may continue to “Choose Joy” and in doing so, continue to inspire others to do likewise.
Choose Joy: Join us in Caring for Nurses
Pray
Pray specifically for pediatric oncology nurses and upcoming retreats.
Volunteer
Help us host retreats with excellence—logistics, set-up, hospitality, or behind-the-scenes support.
Donate
Your gift provides a free weekend of rest, encouragement, & community for a nurse.
Are you a pediatric oncology nurse?
We would love to connect with you. If you’re interested in attending a future retreat, please complete our short interest form. We’ll follow up with details as retreats are scheduled.
