Nurses supporting nurses: creating a mentoring program for staff nurses to improve the workforce environment.
BACKGROUND
The hospital workforce environment has been recognized as an important factor for nurse retention and patient safety, yet there is ongoing evidence that inadequate communication, intraprofessional oppression, and lack of collaboration and conflict resolution continue to disempower nurses and hinder improvement of workforce conditions.


OBJECTIVE
A 3-year academic-hospital partnership developed and used a registered nurse (RN) mentor and advocacy program to improve the RN work environment and selected patient outcomes.


METHODS
The partnership initiated mentor-mentee teams and a Workforce Environment Governance Board, and obtained preliminary data on outcomes related to mentor-mentee teamwork, changes in the level of support within each unit, and the impact of improved working conditions on nurse and patient satisfaction, nurse vacancy and turnover rates, and 3 patient safety outcomes related to fall and pressure ulcer prevention and use of restraints.


CONCLUSIONS
Dedicated mentors not only engaged in supporting fellow nurses but also assisted with enhancing the overall work environment for RNs. The partnership enhanced mutual respect between frontline RNs and managers, and allowed frontline RNs to improve the culture of support.


CONCLUSIONS
The comprehensive approach to incorporating mentor-mentee teams changes the way fellow nurses and others perceive nurses, augments support by managers and coworkers, and improves patient care outcomes.
Latham
Christine L
CL
California State University, Fullerton 90032, USA. clatham@fullerton.edu
Hogan
Mikel
M
Ringl
Karen
K
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007857:Leadership; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D012963:Sociometric Techniques; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology