Title : Unit based mentoring improves nurse retention
Abstract:
Purpose: Quality improvement project aimed to improve nurse retention through a unitbased mentoring program by enhancing the role of nurses with less than three years’ experience and improve clinical nurse retention.
Relevance Significance: Over the period of one year an inpatient surgical unit onboarded more than ten new registered nurses resulting in an uneven skill mix. In 2023 the turnover rate was 12.7% and year to date turnover is 9.9% within the unit. Current retention rate is within national average, but previous years’ turnover may affect satisfaction and long-term retention. The goal is to support nurses in their professional development and to improve their knowledge and skill in the workplace.
Strategy/Implementation/Methods: Supported by the associate director, the clinical outcomes specialist implemented a mentoring program as depicted by American Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses. Nurses with less than three years of experience were paired with nurses with greater than three years of experience from within the one unit. Through the direct support of unit leadership, nurse mentors/mentees were matched and supported in monthly meetings where mutual individualized structured goals were developed. Validated tools such as Intent to Stay and IWS surveys were used to measure the outcome of the evidence-based quality improvement project.
Outcome/Evaluation/So What: Sixteen pairs showed interest in the program. Eleven of the sixteen mentor/mentee pairs continued to completion of the program. Baseline data demonstrated opportunity for improved workplace satisfaction and professional growth. Mentor/mentee pairs have met every month with unit leader present as needed in the meetings. Preliminary data shows that mentor/mentee pairs benefited from the relationships made and shared vision and development of goals. Mentees express comfort when they share the same shift with their mentor. The current retention rate for registered nurses on the unit is 100% since the start of the mentoring program.
Conclusion: In just four months the unit-based mentoring has improved the workplace for both mentors and mentees. Likert scale measurements show that unit based mentoring program improved nurse’s intent to stay.
