Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change for Mentorship in Nurse Anesthesia Programs

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Anesthesiology
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) experience substantial stress due to demanding training in nurse anesthesia programs (NAPs).
• Mentorship initiatives are recognized as a valuable resource for supporting SRNA well-being and academic success.
• Understanding organizational readiness for change is crucial for implementing effective mentorship programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current state of mentorship within NAPs.
• To assess the impact of an educational intervention on nurse anesthesia program directors' (NAPDs) perspectives regarding mentorship.
• To analyze organizational change constructs related to implementing mentorship initiatives.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey was administered to 36 NAPDs to gather data on existing mentorship practices.
• An adapted Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change survey was used to assess six change constructs among 26 participants.
• An educational online video on SRNA stress, mentorship, and formalized programs was presented prior to the change readiness assessment.

Main Results:

• Descriptive statistics on the current status of mentorship in NAPs were obtained.
• Statistically significant increases (P < .05) were observed in median scores for change commitment, change valence, task knowledge, and resource availability.
• The educational intervention demonstrated a positive effect on participants' readiness for implementing mentorship.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions can enhance organizational readiness for mentorship programs in NAPs.
• Targeted education can improve key aspects of change implementation, including commitment, perceived value, knowledge, and resource availability.
• Strengthening mentorship initiatives is vital for supporting SRNA wellness and program development.