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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

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Published on: September 11, 2021
Using Problem Solving and Reframing to Strengthen PhD Mentoring: A Structured Faculty-Led Approach
Carmen Alvarez1, Se Hee Min, Seul Ki Choi
1Author Affiliations: Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Drs Alvarez, Min, and Boyden); Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative, Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Dr Choi); School of Professional Studies, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (Dr Barrows); and University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Dr Buttenheim).
Background:
Mentoring is among the strongest predictors of doctoral student success, yet nursing programs continue to grapple with inconsistent practices and insufficient preparation for the faculty mentoring role.
Problem:
Without a systematic diagnosis of root causes, efforts to improve mentoring risk addressing symptoms rather than underlying structural and communication deficits.
Approach:
A faculty task force applied the Define-Decompose-Analyze-Act (D2A2) framework over 6 months. The process included a facilitated reframing session with 51 faculty, systematic deconstruction of contributing factors from both faculty and student perspectives, stakeholder consultations, and a targeted literature review.
Outcomes:
The problem shifted from "low student satisfaction with advising" to "misaligned expectations and insufficient communication regarding mentoring roles." Three recommendations emerged: (1) develop a shared definition of PhD mentoring, (2) establish guidelines differentiating primary and secondary mentor roles, and (3) implement annual faculty mentorship training.
Conclusions:
The D2A2 process offers a replicable model for doctoral nursing programs seeking to strengthen mentoring quality.
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