Nurses Experiences of Mentorship: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Research Question
What are the lived experiences of mentorship of newly qualified nurses in the first year of clinical practice in an approved centre?
Aim of the Study
The purpose of this study is to clarify the concept of mentoring by exploring and describing the nurses’ experiences of mentorship from the perspective of mentors as well as mentees.
Objectives
- To clarify and develop a comprehensive understanding of the concept of mentoring
- To describe the nurses experiences of mentorship and identify the outcomes of mentoring
Literature Review
In preparation for this study a preliminary search has been conducted using the following databases: CINAHL, PUBMED, Medline and EBSCO Host. Articles published in English in the last ten years were reviewed.
Different perspectives on mentoring occur in the literature. The concept mentorship and preceptorship is used interchangeably. It is also not restricted to nursing but also used in medical and allied health professions.
In the United Kingdom the term mentor is described as a supervisor of post qualification of Registered nurses who give support to enhance competences and clinical skills (Kelly et al, 2002). Similarly, this role exists in Hong Kong (Suen & Chow, 2001) as well as in the United States of America (Santucci, 2004). These sources agree that the mentor is a role model, teacher, coach, sponsor, guide, advisor and in general is older, wiser, more experienced and more powerful (Neary, 2000; Goran, 2001)
However, Lieb (1995) suggests that there is an existing conflict of opinions regarding mentor-mentee match.
Methodology
A qualitative descriptive design will be used to describe nurses lived experiences in their own natural setting, through talking and interaction in order to generate rich, in-depth descriptive data. An inductive process will be used in the discovery and development of meaning, with a view to explaining and understanding the social world (Bryman 2004:20).This approach will be used in describing the experiences of newly qualified graduate mental health nurses to present their views of mentorship.
Research Method
The semi-structured interview schedule will be used to facilitate the in depth, rich, face to face interview of the nurses in understanding their clinical experience of mentorship (Parahoo 2006:206). Use of this tool is favoured because it uses open-ended questions and is flexible and adaptable (Bryman 2004:319-321). Interviews will be audio taped and transcribed verbatim.
Data Analysis
Thematic analysis will be using Colaizzi’s seven steps method. Phenomenological Analysis Mapped against Coding and Analysis
1. The researcher reviews the collected data and become familiar with it. Through this process they gain a feeling for the subject’s inherent meanings.
2. The researcher returns to the data and focus on those aspects that are seen as most important to the phenomena being studied. From the data they extract significant statements.
3. The researcher takes each significant statement and formulates meaning in the context of the subject’s own terms.
4. The meanings from a number of interviews are grouped or organised in a cluster of themes. This step reveals common patterns or trends in the data.
5. A detailed, analytic description is compiled of the subject’s feelings and ideas on each theme. This is called an exhaustive description.
6. The researcher identifies the fundamental structure for each exhaustive description.
7. The findings are taken back to the subjects who check to see if the researcher has omitted anything. This is called a member check.
Sampling
Non probability, purposive sampling will be used whereby the newly qualified mental health nurses are hand-picked, who will have had exposure to a mentorship programme and are likely to produce the most valuable data. The size will consist of four pairs of graduate mental health nurses and their mentors employed at the approved centre (Parahoo 2006:268).
Site
The interviews will be conducted at the approved centre, where the nurses are employed which will provide a familiar and relaxed environment for participants.
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Ethical Considerations
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- The research study will be submitted for ethical approval to the ethics committee of the approved centre as well as the faculty of the university.
- The principle of respect for autonomy includes the right to self-determination and full disclosure, informed consent and issues relating to the principle of respect. The principle of justice includes the right to fair treatment and privacy (Polit, Beck & Hungler, 2001).
- Informed consent of staff will be sought, and participation will be voluntary with an option to ask for a clarification at any stage or withdraw from the study.
- Confidentiality, dignity and privacy will be maintained throughout the study by using codes and pseudonyms (Bryman 2004: 509-513).
Timeframe - 8 months
8 months
Limitations
- Small sample size has limitations in terms of generalizability of the study.
- The scale of the study will be limited by the scope of the Masters Programme which has a limited time frame.
Expected Outcomes of the Study
a) It is hoped that this study will yield a better understanding of the concept of mentoring.
b) It is expected that this study will enhance and advance academic research on the concept of mentorship.
c) Health care organisations can use the results to assess their mentoring and develop a mentorship programme and train mentors.
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