Development of a Nurse Mentorship Program

Abstract

Retention of graduate nurses within a health care system is a problem that negatively effects patient care and health care outcomes. A novice nurse requires the guidance of others to learn how to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life clinical situations. Mentoring is an intervention to foster support and socialization of the new nurse. For this reason, a 1-year nurse mentor program was developed to increase job satisfaction and retention. In reviewing retention rates, it was noted that the greatest opportunity for improvement resides within the novice nurse during the 1st year of employment. A mentorship program was created that outlined the steps to transition from being a novice to being experienced by providing a successful transition in the workplace. The newly created mentorship program paired the novice nurse with an experienced nurse. On hire, surveys were disseminated to all novice nurses, who then were paired with volunteers eager to be involved in the program. Each month, a 1-hour support session was held offsite for the new employee and the mentor to have an open-ended discussion regarding their progression as a new employee. Quarterly surveys were distributed to the mentee to assess job satisfaction and involvement in the unit. After 1 year, a final survey was collected that evaluated the success of the mentorship program. For the development of the mentorship program, we used Benner’s theory from novice to expert. Educational sessions discussing Benner’s theory as well as templates were provided to roll out a standardized process for mentors. With administrative support and staff involvement, novice nurses have been successfully acculturated and retained. Results from surveys show an increase in teamwork, staff satisfaction, and involvement in the unit. Historically, the tough and demanding transition from nursing school to the workplace has proven difficult. For this reason, retention rates of novice nurses are declining. Using experienced nurses to support novice nurses in the mentorship program and eliciting ongoing novice nurse feedback are imperative for a successful mentorship program. Implementing a mentorship program helps to facilitate a successful transition to employment through provision of technical and emotional support.