When it comes to recruitment and retention, creating a supportive environment is key. A great way to provide support is through mentorship programs.

Studies report mentorship programs in retaining and easing the transition to practice for new graduate Nurses, re-entry Nurses, and Nurses new to a specialty area are critical in retention.

Nurse mentorship is described as a synergetic relationship between a beginning Nurse (the mentee) and a Nurse with multiple years of experience (the mentor). Nurse mentorship programs are meant to encourage mutual professional growth between both the mentor and the mentee through a dynamic and supportive relationship.

Nurses at every stage of their career benefit from mentorships. Research shows the career-long roles of the Nurse as both a mentor and a mentee are fundamental to the Nursing profession. Learning from peers can result in significant professional and personal growth.

According to NurseJournal, the goal of mentorship programs is to provide:

• Clinical care support
• Psychological and emotional support
• Academic advice
• Career development
• Nurse leadership opportunities

Mentorship in Nursing has been found to:

• Improve job satisfaction
• Promote professional growth and development
• Decrease turnover
• Increase cost-effectiveness

If your organization doesn't offer a Nurse mentorship program, there are other ways to seek guidance and support.

• Look online. There are many online resources to help you find a good mentor match. You can also search Facebook and LinkedIn for professionals in the same field as you.
• Connect with your co-workers. Is there someone you work with who you look up to or has offered advice and support? They may be willing to mentor you. If they agree, set up times to meet and discuss your career goals or any questions you have.
• Local Nursing chapters. Reach out to local Nursing chapter organizations. They might be willing to recruit volunteer mentors from among their members.

Every Nurse can benefit from having or being a mentor. It's crucial that mentor relationships be comfortable and trusting in order to have open communication and establish measurable career goals.