Perceptions within a mentorship program.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of mentees and mentors in a structured mentorship program.


METHODS
A qualitative study using focus group methodology in a nonrandom purposive sample was used.


METHODS
The study was conducted at a level 1 university-affiliated hospital within a 9-bed cardiothoracic intensive care unit.


METHODS
Mentors were identified as Clinical Nurse III's within the institution's clinical ladder. Mentees were identified as Clinical Nurse I's who had no previous critical care nursing experience. To meet inclusion criteria, mentors and mentees had to be paired for at least 10 months before the study. All mentors participated in the study (n = 6) and all but 1 mentee participated (n = 5).


RESULTS
Results of this study revealed the following shared perceptions from the mentees and mentors: (1) availability, (2) sense of community, and (3) support and knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that mentees and mentors undergo similar experiences and perceptions in a mentorship program despite different roles.


CONCLUSIONS
Mentorship programs create a unique environment that facilitates the educational opportunities for both the novice and expert clinician.
Wolak
Eric
E
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA. eric.wolak@swedish.org
McCann
Meghan
M
Queen
Sara
S
Madigan
Catherine
C
Letvak
Susan
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012938:Social Perception