Dissertation Defenses

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Eileen M. Willits

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology

Title: Can We Get Nurses to Stay? A Qualitative Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Formal Mentoring Program in an Acute Care Health System

Committee:
Dr. Van Cooley, Chair
Dr. Patricia Reeves
Dr. Nanette Keiser

Date: Monday, September 21, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
3208 Sangren Hall

Abstract:
This qualitative phenomenological case study is designed to investigate the affect that a formal mentoring program has on the job satisfaction, including a nurse’s intent to stay with their current employer and their intent to stay in the nursing profession. The research is intended to determine whether mentoring programs could be used to help avoid the affect of the upcoming predicted nursing shortage in the acute care hospital.
The findings are based on the results of a sample of twelve nurses who voluntarily signed up to take part in a formal mentoring program sponsored by the staff development department of a mid-size health care system. Data collection is accomplished through the interview process. The results show that there is little affect on job satisfaction or intent to stay within the organization. The results also show that the nurses who are part of this study had very specific career plans that had been formed prior to joining the program.
This research may be of interest to individuals or organizations that are looking for ways to enhance recruitment and retention of their health care staff in a cost effective manner. Recruitment and retention of nurses and other allied health professionals will continue to be challenging in the years ahead.