Mentoring Practices that Predict Mentoring Benefits in a Magnet® Hospital

Purpose: Although literature uniformly states the goal of mentoring is professional development of the protégé, the specific practices predicting mentoring benefits are not clearly defined. Previous studies examining predictors of mentoring benefits among pediatric staff nurse protégés representing healthcare organizations across 26 states demonstrated that protégé perception of quality was the single best predictor of mentoring benefits. The study aim of this descriptive, correlational, non-experimental study of nurses at a Magnet® recognized, free-standing, pediatric hospital was to determine if mentoring practices predict mentoring benefits.

Methods: A convenience sample of 186 pediatric nurses completed an electronic survey containing demographic items and two valid and reliable instruments, the Mentoring Practices Inventory and Mentoring Benefits Inventory in accordance with the Dillman “Tailored Design Method”.

Results: The research hypothesis that mentoring practices predict mentoring benefits was supported. The correlation between total mentoring practices and total mentoring benefits was 0.89 (p<0.01).  Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed an overall R = 0.889 with 79% of the variance in mentoring benefits explained by mentoring practices (p< 0.0001). Mentoring practices were positively and significantly associated with mentoring benefits (unstandardized beta=0.81, p< 0.001). For every unit increase in practices, a 0.81 unit increase in benefits is expected.  

Conclusion: As a result of this study, specific practices on how to mentor are now known. This evidence provides concrete, teachable and measurable mentoring practices and resulting mentoring benefits. Outcomes of this study lay the groundwork for creating a mentoring culture in nursing practice that demonstrates a structurally empowering work environment.