Appreciating mentorship: the benefits of being a mentor

Abstract

Purpose: the purpose of this integrative review was to explore mentor-mentee relationships and benefits from the perspective of the mentor rather than that of the mentee.

Primary practice setting(s): all nursing and case management settings.

Methods: : Research studies related to the concept of mentoring were selected after a search of the CINAHL and the OVID databases for the years 1979 to 2009. Nonresearch articles were also utilized to obtain additional background information on the concepts of mentoring and case management.

Results: an analysis of the research identified four different areas of focus: the mentoring relationship, mentor attributes, barriers to mentoring, and mentor benefits. Researchers focused on perceptions of the nurse mentoring relationship and identified that mentees and mentors have similar experiences and perceptions. Personal attributes, professional skills and abilities, and communication skills were three themes associated with the qualities of mentors. The barriers to nurse mentoring that were identified included difficulties developing relationships and lack of time. Positive impact on person or practice, personal satisfaction, professional success, and organizational and professional contributions were identified as benefits of being a nurse mentor.

Implications for case management practice: nurses entering a specialty field may not have the necessary skill set for competent practice in that specialty and should be viewed as novice and advanced beginner specialty nurses until their level of proficiency is established. Novice case managers could benefit from mentorship for guidance through Benner's stages of clinical proficiency and development.