Mentoring New Graduate Nurse Practitioners

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• A critical shortage of neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) exists in the United States.
• This shortage leads to increased workload, decreased job satisfaction, and potential patient safety issues.
• Effective strategies are needed to enhance NNP job satisfaction and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine existing evidence on the impact of mentoring for advanced practice nurses.
• To explore the potential of mentoring to address the NNP workforce shortage.
• To identify how mentorship influences role transition, job satisfaction, and intent to stay among NNPs.

Main Methods:

• An integrative review of current evidence was conducted.
• The review focused on studies examining mentorship in advanced practice nursing.
• Evidence linking mentoring to role transition, job satisfaction, and retention was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Existing evidence supports a connection between mentoring and improved role transition for new nurse practitioners (NPs).
• Mentorship is associated with enhanced job satisfaction and a greater intent to remain in the NP role.
• Developing confidence in the NP role is significantly supported by mentorship.

Conclusions:

• Mentoring is a key strategy for the successful integration and retention of new graduate nurse practitioners.
• Implementing robust mentoring programs can positively impact NNP job satisfaction and reduce turnover.
• Addressing the NNP shortage requires strategic focus on mentorship to support the advanced practice nursing workforce.