| Learning Objective #1: define mentoring in an acute care setting and identify the expected results the mentor/mentee relationship brings. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: understand the method of determining the effectiveness of the mentoring program and conclusions drawn from the results. |
Abstract
The purpose of this project in an acute care hospital is to build a mentorship program with a relationship that exists for at least one year between a new graduate nurse and an experienced nurse. It is expected that the mentored new graduate will experience less stress and have higher retention rates than their counterparts in preceptored-only programs. Using a reliable and validated questionnaire, several components of the new graduate experience were measured in both the mentored and preceptored-only groups. Based on this pilot study, recommendations will be made and direction given for the hospital to initiate a mentorship program that will be utilized with all new graduate nurses in the spring of 2007.