title: Exploring Mentees' Perceptions of an Undergraduate Nurse Peer Mentorship Program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A nurse peer mentorship program was implemented to address the needs of undergraduate nursing students at an academic institution. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of mentees who participated in the nurse peer mentorship program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected using semistructured interviews that were transcribed verbatim and descriptively analyzed using an inductive approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven participants were interviewed. Participant narratives revealed themes related to the student experience as they transitioned to university and their unique needs that motivated them to join the program. Mentees described helpful mentor behaviors and provided insight into the academic, social, professional, and mental health benefits and personal growth experienced from peer mentorship. Participants shared factors that affected mentoring relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study findings support the need for broad evaluations of peer mentorship programs and can inform educational leaders to improve mentorship support available for nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(4):227-230.].
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: Carissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Lia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanzone
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Filion
authors.forename: Argerie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsimicalis
mesh_terms: D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D000071252:Mentoring / Q000379:methods*; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research