TY - JOUR
T1 - Mentoring experiences of psychiatric nurses
T2 - From acquaintance to affirmation
AU - Siu, Gertrude Po kwan
AU - SIVAN, Atara
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2011/11
Y1 - 2011/11
N2 - Mentoring is regarded as involving a voluntary and mutually beneficial relationship in which one person is experienced and knowledgeable (mentor) who supports the maturation of a less-experienced person (mentee). While there have been studies on mentorship in a wide range of areas within nursing, so far studies on psychiatric nursing are scarce. The hallmark of psychiatric nursing is the use of interpersonal process as a means of bringing about positive health changes in the clients. If psychiatric nurses are involved in mentorship, they can, through experiential learning, be nurtured to use interpersonal process as therapeutic tools in their work more effectively. This study examines the mentorship experiences of psychiatric nurses. Personal accounts of 27 psychiatric nurses were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Results of the study shed light on the role of mentorship in facilitating the socialization of psychiatric nurses and revealed the main aspects involved in this process. Four themes experienced by mentees during the mentoring process are the key to its success. These are: becoming acquaintances, developing bond, feeling being included and obtaining affirmation. These themes were found to be progressive in terms of mentees' degree of connection with their mentors and their involvement in the nursing profession.
AB - Mentoring is regarded as involving a voluntary and mutually beneficial relationship in which one person is experienced and knowledgeable (mentor) who supports the maturation of a less-experienced person (mentee). While there have been studies on mentorship in a wide range of areas within nursing, so far studies on psychiatric nursing are scarce. The hallmark of psychiatric nursing is the use of interpersonal process as a means of bringing about positive health changes in the clients. If psychiatric nurses are involved in mentorship, they can, through experiential learning, be nurtured to use interpersonal process as therapeutic tools in their work more effectively. This study examines the mentorship experiences of psychiatric nurses. Personal accounts of 27 psychiatric nurses were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Results of the study shed light on the role of mentorship in facilitating the socialization of psychiatric nurses and revealed the main aspects involved in this process. Four themes experienced by mentees during the mentoring process are the key to its success. These are: becoming acquaintances, developing bond, feeling being included and obtaining affirmation. These themes were found to be progressive in terms of mentees' degree of connection with their mentors and their involvement in the nursing profession.
KW - Mentoring
KW - Psychiatric nursing
KW - Socialization of psychiatric nurses
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80755136707&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nedt.2010.11.014
DO - 10.1016/j.nedt.2010.11.014
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 21144626
AN - SCOPUS:80755136707
SN - 0260-6917
VL - 31
SP - 797
EP - 802
JO - Nurse Education Today
JF - Nurse Education Today
IS - 8
ER -