Design Of An Evidence-Based Mentorship Program For Inpatient Nurse Practitioners
Abstract Purpose: To examine the literature on mentorship from nursing and other professional disciplines in order to identify and validate key components to guide the development and implementation of a formal mentorship program for nurse practitioners (NPs) practicing in the inpatient setting. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature on mentorship was conducted using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PUBMED, OVID, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Evidence based material was identified, extracted, and validated by a panel of five experts to determine key components for program development and implementation. Conclusions: From the evidence reviewed, the components identified were arranged into 4 categories and 19 subcategories. The experts unanimously found the 4 main categories important and recommended inclusion into program. The expert panel validated 17 of 19 subcategories identified from the evidence. The overall Content Validity Index (S-CVI/ave) result for the inclusion and importance of the program components is 0.90. Implications for practice: Formulating and implementing a successful mentorship program for nurse practitioners working in the inpatient setting may have a positive impact on professional nursing practice, patient outcomes, and the healthcare organizations in which NPs practice. Future implementation and evaluation of this program is needed to determine its impact on NPs and on patient and organizational outcomes.
Mentor, Mentorship, Mentorship Program, Nurse practitioner
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