Using a Mentorship Model to Prepare Newly Graduated Nurses for Competency

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the level of nursing competency of newly graduated nurses after using a mentor-ship model. Nineteen newly graduated nurses worked with a trained mentor. Before the experiment, newly graduated nurses were evaluated regarding their nursing competency by head nurses two times, with a 1-month interval between evaluations. Select experienced nurses were prepared in mentoring roles. The mentors and the newly graduated nurses worked together for 1 month. After that, newly graduated nurses were evaluated for nursing competency by head nurses again. All data were analyzed by median, quartile deviation, and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The level of nursing competency of newly graduated nurses was higher using the mentor model. This finding showed that the mentor program increased the nursing competency of newly graduated nurses.

The effectiveness of strategies and interventions that aim to assist the transition from student to newly qualified nurse.

“…Komaratat and Oumtanee, 62 reported that levels of competency had significantly increased by the end of the mentorship period.…”

“…Using a mentorship model to prepare newly graduated nurses for competency. 2009 Komaratat and Oumtanee, 62 investigated the level of nursing competency of newly graduated nurses (n=19) after using a mentorship model. The research was conducted within one hospital in Thailand using a quasi experimental one group time series approach.…”

“…Although they consider similar interventions they reviewed different outcomes and the sample size varied considerably, 19 ( 62 ) and 318 ( 63 ), it is therefore difficult to make any firm comparisons or conclusions. Using JBI levels of evidence relating to evidence of effectiveness both studies are rated level 3, Komaratat and Oumtanee, 62 refer to their study as quasi-experimental but it is actually a pre and post test comparative design. No comparison group is used in Beecroft 63 .…”

Transition of New Graduate Nurses to the Workforce: Challenges and Solutions in the Changing Health Care Environment

“…The competency of new graduates increases after the implementation of such a mentorship program [21]. From the moment new graduates begin their residency at Vidant Medical Center, they are paired with a mentor who best matches their personality and has at least 2 years of clinical experience.…”

“…Nurse mentoring programs increase new nurses' intent to stay and retention rates [20]. For new graduates to achieve competency, confidence, and autonomy, organizations need a structured approach to developing mentors [21]. In 2000, Morton-Cooper and Palmer [22] introduced a mentorship model that includes 3 phases.…”