Developmental Networks: Reframing Mentorship of Nurse Faculty

A qualitative descriptive study using directed content analysis was used to explore nurse faculty mentoring relationships. Utilizing voice over internet protocol (VoIP), ten faculty with various ranks and years of experience in academia from different institutions in the Southeast were asked to describe their experiences as protégés with mentors. Emerging themes are presented using pre-determined categories from the Developmental Network Theory to provide new perspective for conceptualizing mentoring as a multilevel, dynamic, and evolving phenomenon. Significant findings include continued perception of the essential nature of mentoring for nurse faculty, differentiation of mentoring for tasks and scholarship, ineffective mentoring relationships resulting from formal assignment of mentors in structured programs, and importance of the organization in creating a safe and open culture. Implications for reframing formal mentoring programs and recommendations for future investigations are included.  The findings from this study are placed in the context of the most recent literature regarding productive mentoring relationships and supporting new faculty in transition to the academic role.

Current literature continues to describe issues with nurse faculty recruitment, retention and satisfaction, and subsequent focus on traditional dyadic mentoring to create a lasting bond and facilitate transtion into the academic role. However, study results indicate the poor results from formal mentoring porgrams.  A new approach is required to foster a culture of mentoring. Application of the development network theory to mentoring apporaches can contribute to mutually beneficial relationships for mentors and proteges, strong and diverse relationships, high quaity connections, and support in multiple contexts.  It is also possible to work with new faculty in developmental seeking behaviors using an entreprenuerial approach.  Outcomes of high quality connections include empowerment, increased self worth, enthusiasm, new knowledge. Obstacles to successful mentoring using the developmental network approach will be discussed as well as essential relationship skills and organizational factors to promote high quaity connections.