by D. P. Noe

Created on: September 03, 2008   Last Updated: November 15, 2010

Retaining nurses can be challenging with so many diverse working opportunities for nurses to choose from. Mentoring is the key plan for retaining good quality nursing staff.  With so many areas of job opportunities for nurses, it is more important than ever that we use strategies that will improve the retention of nurses. Mentoring occurs after the orientation period with a preceptor is completed. A less experienced nurse should be assigned to a mentor for a period of one year. Different hospitals are actually offering cash incentives to be paid to the mentor if they can retain the nurse for a period of one year and beyond.

Mentors in nursing are the more experienced nurses who nurture and support the less experienced nurse. The mentor is the person that is available whenever a situation arises where they need assistance. The mentor will tell the nurse what she needs to know and how to go about getting what she needs to take care of the patients. A good mentor will assess the less experienced nurse knowledge base and look for deficits and provide them with learning experiences. Having a mentor increases self confidence and enhances the self esteem of the less experienced nurse. The outcome for providing a mentor is greater personal job satisfaction and builds loyalty to the hospital organization.

Successful mentors are willing to share job experiences and take pride in watching the less experienced nurse learn new skills and increase their knowledge base. Mentors also introduce them to different people in the organization that work in various other departments. It is vital for any nurse to know who to contact when they need help or how to get supplies to take care of the patients. When a patient needs a breathing treatment or a special type dressing is needed it is valuable to know where to go. You can waste a lot of time if you do not know where to get the assistance or supplies that you need.

When selecting a mentor, there are certain qualities that they should possess. Mentors have a history of good job performance and good attitudes. The worst thing for a mentor to display is negativity which is turn has a negative affect on the person who is being mentored. Mentors are your loyal employees who are proud to work for the organization and love to spread the word that the organization is the greatest place to work for. Positive attitudes are infectious and help to maintain a positive working environment.

The ability to retain knowledgeable and skilled nurses is the key to providing quality nursing care. Mentors are a wonderful asset to the hospital organization and can significantly have an impact on decreasing nursing turnover.

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