Abstract:
Many factors play a role in nursing education to enhance new graduate nurses' learning experiences. New graduate nurses need to learn and perform a variety of competency skills throughout the orientation program, as well as socialize into the professional role. A mentoring program could enhance the new graduate nurses' competency skills. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a mentoring program on new graduate nurses' competency skills and role socialization following the clinical orientation program with a mentor. Benner's Theory From Novice to Expert is the framework. The Competency Skills Checklist will measure competency skills. The Corwin Role Theory questionnaire will measure role socialization. The sample will be drawn from 20 new graduate nurses in orientation in a small hospital in central North Carolina. The new graduate nurses will be evaluated before and after the orientation program. Staff nurse mentors will be assigned to each new graduate nurse for the duration of the program. Participants will be tested in the orientation classroom. The study will be voluntary. Permission will be obtained from Ball State University and the hospital. Data will be anonymous. No risks have been identified by participation. Benefits include participation in a mentor program, and improved competency skills. This study is significant because findings will provide information about the benefits of a mentor program for new graduate nurses.