Charting the Course: Exploring the Dynamic Impact of Mentorship Programs on Nurse Practitioner Satisfaction and Health Care Outcomes.

Abstract

Introduction: This project aimed to address high turnover rates among novice nurse practitioners in the emergency department, attributable to low job satisfaction. Dissatisfaction among nurse practitioner staff is linked to decreased engagement, productivity, and suboptimal patient outcomes and negatively affects both novice and seasoned staff morale. Low job satisfaction correlates with higher turnover rates, increased departmental costs, and a decline in the overall quality of patient care. Outcomes from this project confirmed that mentoring positively affects job satisfaction and the transition of novice nurse practitioners.

Methods: Conducted in a large urban academic medical center, this project involved 7 novice nurse practitioner participants. Inspired by the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners Mentoring Toolkit, a 10-week Knowledge to Action Framework structured mentorship program was devised. It included an introductory session, individual mentor-protégé meetings, and a wrap-up session. Pre- and postintervention evaluations used the Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale.

Results: Preintervention Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale scores averaged 176.3, increasing to 206.4 after the intervention, with a statistically significant improvement (T = -1.82; P = .046).

Discussion: Mentorship programs offer significant benefits to nurse practitioners, contributing to improved clinical practice and more efficient health care systems by improving job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates, enhancing patient outcomes, and curbing costs. However, further research is needed to establish definitive evidence of their long-term impact.