Megan Coombs

Title : Harvesting growth: Sowing the seed for rural nurse mentorship

Abstract:

Mentorship programs play a pivotal role in professional growth, leadership skill enhancement, succession planning, and the attainment of nurse leader competencies. However, their successful implementation remains challenging, particularly in rural healthcare settings. This IRB-exempt research project aims to explore the relationship between leadership development and a formal nurse mentorship program, focusing on both mentee and mentor roles. Conducted within a rural healthcare network spanning an area equivalent to the state of Connecticut, our study recruited 12 mentorship pairs through the Nursing Education department. The mentees consisted of assistant nurse managers and nurse educators. Before the program's initiation, participants completed DiSC profiles and the AONL Self-Competency Assessment. These assessments provided valuable insights into individual leadership styles, communication preferences, and existing competencies. Armed with this baseline information, we embarked on a year-long cohort program designed to foster leadership growth and address the unique challenges faced by rural nurse leaders. Our mentorship program emphasized structured interactions, regular check-ins, and goal-oriented discussions. Participants engaged in one-on-one mentoring sessions, exploring topics such as strategic planning, conflict resolution, and team building. The program coordinators facilitated these connections, ensuring alignment with individual goals and project aspirations. As the first cohort of the program nears its conclusion in September 2024, we anticipate several key outcomes:

1. Leadership Competencies: We will assess whether the structured mentorship program significantly contributes to the attainment of leadership competencies outlined by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
2. Barriers in Rural Leadership Development: By gathering insights from participants, we aim to identify the unique challenges faced by rural nurse leaders.
3. Strategies for Overcoming Challenges: Our study seeks to uncover effective strategies for overcoming these barriers. Whether through virtual networking, targeted training, or community collaboration, we hope to provide actionable recommendations.

The findings from this project will inform the design and implementation of future mentorship programs tailored to rural nursing contexts. By addressing the specific needs of nurse leaders in underserved areas, we can enhance leadership capacity, improve retention rates, and ultimately elevate the quality of care provided to rural communities.

Audience Take Away:

• Identify barriers to leadership competency development and nursing mentorship programs in rural healthcare settings
• Identify practical strategies and solutions for overcoming the difficulties associated with operating a mentorship program in a rural healthcare setting

Biography:

Megan Coombs manages the Nursing Education and Professional Development department at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, N.Y. and chairs the Network Nursing Education and Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Research Councils. Megan leads and supports the ongoing learning and development of nursing staff with a mission to empower them to deliver high-quality, patient-centered, and evidence-based care, and to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Ms. Coombs’ career has focused in education, professional development, management, quality improvement, and inpatient and outpatient nursing.  Ms. Coombs holds a BSN degree from Northeastern University, a MSN from Sacred Heart University, and is working to complete a DNP degree from Aspen University.