title: Career advancement and professional development in nursing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Excellence underscores the need for nurses to keep their skills and competencies current through participation in professional development and career advancement. Evidence suggests that internationally educated nurses (IENs) progress relatively slowly through the career ladder and participate less in professional development compared with nurses educated in the United States (UENs). Mentorship and self-efficacy are considered major determinants of career advancement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to understand the differences in levels of mentorship function and self-efficacy as well as the differences in participation in professional development and career advancement between UENs and IENs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive survey design was implemented using a Web-based survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant disparities were noted in the role model function of mentoring and some professional development and career advancement measures between UENs and IENs. Mentorship is essential for professional growth. Sociodemographic characteristics of mentors are important because mentors are role models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standardized career advancement structures are needed to promote professional growth.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: Rita.Adeniran@health1stcares.com.
authors.forename: Rita K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Adeniran
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Smith-Glasgow
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002322:Career Mobility; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005551:Foreign Professional Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013192:Staff Development / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Career advancement; Internationally educated nurses; Mentorship; Professional development; Self-efficacy American educated nurses