title: Perceptions within a mentorship program.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA. eric.wolak@swedish.org
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wolak
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Queen
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Madigan
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Letvak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012938:Social Perception