Designing a Mentorship Program for APRNs in Specialty Palliative Care Practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• High staff turnover among advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in palliative care post-COVID-19 necessitated targeted support.
• Formal mentorship is recognized for enhancing job satisfaction, clinical skills, and reducing employee turnover.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and evaluate a formal mentorship program for APRNs transitioning into palliative care practice.
• To address staff turnover and support the integration of new APRN team members.

Main Methods:

• A subcommittee of APRNs developed a mentorship program framework, including matching criteria and program expectations.
• The program was implemented with two cohorts, involving five mentors and six mentees.
• Participant feedback was gathered through open-ended, qualitative survey questions.

Main Results:

• Both mentors and mentees reported significant value from the program.
• Mentees experienced improved transition to practice, enhanced clinical competence, and peer support.
• Mentors noted professional development, clinical growth, and stronger colleague connections.

Conclusions:

• The formal mentorship program positively impacted APRN transition, competence, and professional growth.
• The initiative led to improved employee engagement and a decrease in staff turnover.
• Recommendations include refining the program framework and further analyzing long-term outcomes.