Virtual Mentoring in Doctoral Nursing Education: An International Case Study.

Background: There is a critical shortage of doctoral-degree nursing faculty, especially in family nursing, that necessitates innovative approaches to mentorship. Virtual mentoring offers a potential solution to bridge geographical barriers and develop the next generation of nurses.

Method: This qualitative case study, adhering to Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research, analyzed a cross-national virtual mentoring relationship between a United States-based faculty member and a Spanish doctoral student. Data sources included videoconference transcripts and reflective reports.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed four key themes characterizing the virtual mentoring relationship: (1) effective communication and collaboration; (2) constructive feedback and problem solving; (3) emotional support and professional development; and (4) creating a safe and reflective learning environment.

Conclusion: Virtual mentoring is a versatile and effective strategy to build capacity for family nursing education and research, and to address critical faculty shortages. Quality mentorship is crucial for advancing family nursing scholarship.