Professional nurses' perceptions of their role as mentors for novice nurses in the operating room

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: BACKGROUNDMentoring of novice nurses in the operating room (OR) is often neglected due to the specialised nature and inherent complexity of OR nursing, and compounded by a critical nursing shortage in the OR. Numerous studies reiterate the benefits of effective clinical mentoring. However, limited literature within the South African context regarding OR qualified professional nurses' (PNs) perceptions of their role as mentors for novice nurses could be found.RESEARCH QUESTIONThe two-fold study was guided by the question: 'How do OR qualified PNs perceive their role as mentors of novice nurses in the OR?AIMThe aim of this study was to understand and describe OR qualified PNs' perceptions of their role as mentors of novice nurses in the OR.OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the study were to understand and describe the perceptions of OR qualified PNs regarding their role as mentor of novice nurses, as well as the factors that could influence OR qualified PNs' perception regarding their role as mentors of novice nurses.RESEARCH PROCESSTo reach the objectives of this study, a descriptive qualitative research design was used. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University, two private healthcare institutions in the Free State Province and the Free State Department of Health. After a pilot interview was conducted, data were collected during four focus group discussions with sixteen purposefully selected participants who met the inclusion criteria. A semi-structured interview guide was used during audio-recorded focus group discussions, while the researcher and facilitator made field notes, especially concerning to group dynamics. The transcribed data were coded and recurring themes were identified. Lincoln and Guba's strategies of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were applied to enhance the trustworthiness of the study.FINDINGSA continuous literature review provided the researcher with an understanding of the concepts related to mentoring in the OR. The study found that OR qualified PNs agree that their role as mentors incorporates orientation; support and creating a conducive environment for learning; and teaching novice nurses safe peri-operative practices. However, participants experienced that production pressure, staff shortages and insufficient material resources in the OR influence their mentorship capacity. They mentioned other challenges, including novice nurses' limited competence, inadequate orientation for nurses entering the OR, as well as the attitudes of novice nurses and other OR team members. Markedly, participants in all four focus groups agreed that the mentoring of novice nurses in the OR is currently neither effective, nor conducive to learning. Participants attributed the poor retention of novice nurses, and nursing shortages in the OR to ineffective mentoring.CONCLUSIONThe study highlighted that OR qualified PNs regard adequate mentoring of novice nurses in the OR as fundamental in guiding them to deliver competent, independent and safe peri-operative nursing care. Yet, participants in both private and public hospitals experienced challenges in providing effective mentorship to novice OR nurses.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University