Abstract
Purpose/Aims: This project aimed to conduct a systematic literature review examining how mentoring impacts resilience, longevity in the profession, and prevention of nurse-to-nurse bullying.
Background: Mentorship in nursing is essential for supporting new graduates as they transition into practice and for nurses assuming new roles in clinical or academic settings. Despite its proven strategy for retention and professional growth, formal mentorship programs are not consistently implemented. Bullying remains a persistent issue, undermining confidence, job satisfaction, and well-being, while contributing to stress, burnout, and attrition that worsen the nursing shortage. New nurses are especially vulnerable, often resigning prematurely. Effective mentoring fosters resilience, builds confidence, and reduces bullying, creating a supportive environment that strengthens both individual success and workforce stability.
Methodology: The methodology for this study involved a systematic literature review examining nurse mentoring, workforce longevity, and nurse-to-nurse bullying. It also explored the early implementation of mentorship programs as a strategy to reduce bullying, build resilience, and support long-term retention in the nursing profession.
Results: Bullying contributes to nursing attrition and worsening shortages. Mentorship supports retention by fostering confidence, communication, encouragement, creating professional relationships, building resilience, and equipping nurses with tools to manage daily practice challenges.
Implications and Significance for Future Practice: Early mentoring fosters lasting mentor-mentee relationships and enhances nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of evidence-based practices. Implementing mentorship at the start of a nurse’s career can reduce bullying behaviors, provide essential support, and build the confidence needed to navigate challenges associated with both workplace incivility and the responsibilities of new roles.
Conclusion: Utilizing nurse mentors supports new nurses in building resilience, fostering socialization within their work environment, and promotes longevity in the profession. Mentorship promotes professional communication, enhances professionalism for both mentors and mentees, and helps reduce the incidence of bullying in nursing practice.
Notes
References:
Alshawush, K., Hallett, N., & Bradbury-Jones, C. (2022). The impact of transition programmes on workplace bullying, violence, stress and resilience for students and new graduate nurses: A scoping review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 13(17-18), 2398-2417. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16124.
Gularte-Rinaldo, J., Baumgardner, R., Tilton, T., & Brailoff, V. (2023). Mentorship ReSPeCT study: A nurse mentorship program’s impact on transition to practice and decision to remain in nursing for newly graduated nurses. Nurse Leader, 21(2), 262-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2022.07.003.
Kim, E. Y. & Chang, S. O. (2022). Exploring nurse perceptions and experiences of resilience: A meta-synthesis study. BMC Nursing, 21(26), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00803-z.
Kramer, D. S., McCue, V. Y., Butler, E., Prentiss, A. S., Ojeda, M. M., Tugg, K. K., Fuentes, V., & Bonet, S. (2021). The art of nurse mentoring: A framework of support. Nursing and Health Sciences Research Journal, 4(1), 16-25. https://doi.org/10.55481/2578-3750.10976-25.
Jung, S-Y. & Kim, J-H. (2024). The experience of good mentoring focused on overcoming turnover intention among millennial nurses. Sec. Healthcare Professions Education, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1288829.
Sigma Membership
Chi Mu
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Systematic Review
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Mentoring and Coaching, Mentoring, lncivility, Transition to Practice or Onboarding, Transitional Programs (Education)
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Terri, "Mentorship Matters: Inspiring Growth and Securing the Future of Nursing" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 147.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/147
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-12
Mentorship Matters: Inspiring Growth and Securing the Future of Nursing
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Purpose/Aims: This project aimed to conduct a systematic literature review examining how mentoring impacts resilience, longevity in the profession, and prevention of nurse-to-nurse bullying.
Background: Mentorship in nursing is essential for supporting new graduates as they transition into practice and for nurses assuming new roles in clinical or academic settings. Despite its proven strategy for retention and professional growth, formal mentorship programs are not consistently implemented. Bullying remains a persistent issue, undermining confidence, job satisfaction, and well-being, while contributing to stress, burnout, and attrition that worsen the nursing shortage. New nurses are especially vulnerable, often resigning prematurely. Effective mentoring fosters resilience, builds confidence, and reduces bullying, creating a supportive environment that strengthens both individual success and workforce stability.
Methodology: The methodology for this study involved a systematic literature review examining nurse mentoring, workforce longevity, and nurse-to-nurse bullying. It also explored the early implementation of mentorship programs as a strategy to reduce bullying, build resilience, and support long-term retention in the nursing profession.
Results: Bullying contributes to nursing attrition and worsening shortages. Mentorship supports retention by fostering confidence, communication, encouragement, creating professional relationships, building resilience, and equipping nurses with tools to manage daily practice challenges.
Implications and Significance for Future Practice: Early mentoring fosters lasting mentor-mentee relationships and enhances nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of evidence-based practices. Implementing mentorship at the start of a nurse’s career can reduce bullying behaviors, provide essential support, and build the confidence needed to navigate challenges associated with both workplace incivility and the responsibilities of new roles.
Conclusion: Utilizing nurse mentors supports new nurses in building resilience, fostering socialization within their work environment, and promotes longevity in the profession. Mentorship promotes professional communication, enhances professionalism for both mentors and mentees, and helps reduce the incidence of bullying in nursing practice.
Description
This systematic literature review explored how mentoring impacts nurse resilience, career longevity, and prevention of nurse-to-nurse bullying. Findings show bullying contributes to workforce instability and worsens shortages, while mentorship fosters confidence, encourages effective communication, and promotes resilience and retention. Early mentorship reduces incivility, supports professional growth, and strengthens a respectful, supportive nursing environment.