Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Diane K. Whitehead
Abstract
Novice nurses in the facility had a turnover rate of 32% in 2017 and 2018, despite participation in a novice nurse residency program. This project was the 3-month formative evaluation of a 1-year mentor program designed for novice nurses. The mentor program had been created to augment the residency program and support practice transition for novice nurses. The project questions explored the results of the process evaluation at the 3-month mark of the year-long mentorship program for the first cohort and recommendations to the mentor coordinators for continuous quality improvement. This quality improvement project followed the PDSA (plan-do-study-act) methodology. The evaluation included semi-structured interviews with 5 mentors and 5 mentees and a review of the mentor program meeting minutes. Results from the evaluation of the mentor program supported the need for ongoing support of novice nurses as they transition into the practice environment. The residency program provided the content and helped set expectations for future practice. The work of the mentor program added to this program by evaluating outcomes of practice experiences and building confidence in the new nurse’s skills. Also noted in the findings is the opportunity to engage experienced nurses and support them as they re-commit to the beliefs that first brought them to the nursing profession. This project supported positive social change by promoting increased job satisfaction and commitment to the nursing profession for both new nursing graduates and experienced nurse professionals. The impact to social change is improved patient care, nurse and patient satisfaction, and a stable healthcare environment supporting the community at large.
Recommended Citation
Romano, Corinne, "Evaluation of a New Nurse Mentor Program" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 8485.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8485
