E-mentoring in public health nursing practice.
Attrition in the public health nursing work force combined with a lack of faculty to teach public health prompted development of a "long-distance" learning project. Practicing associate degree nurses enrolled in an online course in population-based practice worked with experienced public health nurse "e-mentors." Student-mentor pairs worked through course assignments, shared public health nursing experiences, and problem-solved real-time public health issues. Nursing faculty served as coordinators for student learning and mentor support. Over 3 years, 38 student-mentor pairs participated in the project. Students reported they valued the expertise and guidance of their mentors. Likewise, mentors gained confidence in their practice and abilities to mentor. Issues related to distance learning and e-mentoring centered around use of technology and adequate time to communicate with one another. E-mentoring is a viable strategy to connect nurses to a learning, sharing environment while crossing the barriers of distance, agency isolation, and busy schedules.
Miller
Louise C
LC
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
Devaney
Susan W
SW
Kelly
Glenda L
GL
Kuehn
Alice F
AF
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004507:Education, Nursing, Associate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D008923:Missouri; D017145:Models, Educational; D016294:Models, Nursing; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000193:education*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires