Monash University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Nurs Open. 2024 Aug;11(8):e2250. doi: 10.1002/nop2.2250.
To explore the effectiveness and acceptability of a pilot mentoring program for alcohol and other drug (AOD) nurse practitioners (also known globally as addiction nurse practitioners).
Mixed method evaluation.
Two-phase evaluation comprising survey (demographics, pre- and post-program perceived competency and confidence) with 15 participants completing the pre survey and 10 participants completing the post survey, and qualitative interviews after the program with 10 participants.
The quantitative results indicate statistically significant increases in some domains of perceived competence and confidence in treatment. Qualitative findings indicate that participants valued peer support and mentoring from experienced nurse practitioners. Where formal residency or internship programs for nurse practitioners do not exist, informal mentoring programs may address issues inherent in nurse practitioner transition that may impact retention. We recommend further exploration of mentoring programs with larger sample sizes to determine if self-reported clinical improvements are noted.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nurse practitioners are a vital part of the healthcare system; their advanced skills and knowledge place them in an ideal position to address prescriber shortages and access to care for populations underserved by healthcare. However, literature indicates that they are often underutilised, and transition to autonomous practice remains a challenge. Our exploration of a pilot mentoring program for nurse practitioners shows that their knowledge and perceived skills are high, yet peer assistance is valued in transitioning from advanced practice registered nurse to autonomous nurse practitioner. We recommend further trialling and evaluation of nurse practitioner mentoring programs to both increase supply of nurse practitioners and provide greater access to quality healthcare for underserved populations.
What problem did the study address? The ability of nurse practitioners to offer advanced practice interventions such as diagnosis and medication management potentially provides a solution to healthcare resource shortages. However, current literature indicates that advanced nurses transitioning to nurse practitioner roles suffer transition shock, leading to burnout and poor retention. What were the main findings? Although this pilot mentoring program shows significant improvements in survey responses on confidence and capability, qualitative data shows that neophyte nurse practitioners value peer support and mentoring from more experienced practitioners. Participants described maintaining ongoing connections with both mentors and fellow mentees, which aided transition to the role of autonomous nurse practitioner. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The results of this pilot mentoring program indicate that there is benefit to these programs for neophyte nurse practitioners in many specialties. This paper indicates that mentoring programs for nurse practitioners may provide a community of practice and may have a positive impact on transition shock.
Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) checklist.
No patient or public contribution.
探索酒精和其他药物（AOD）护士从业者（也称为全球成瘾护士从业者）试点指导计划的效果和可接受性。
混合方法评估。
包括调查（人口统计学、计划前和计划后感知能力和信心）的两阶段评估，15 名参与者完成了前调查，10 名参与者完成了后调查，并在计划后对 10 名参与者进行了定性访谈。
定量结果表明，在某些治疗领域的感知能力和信心方面有统计学意义的提高。定性研究结果表明，参与者重视经验丰富的护士从业者的同行支持和指导。在没有为护士从业者设立正规住院医师或实习计划的地方，非正式的指导计划可能会解决影响保留率的护士从业者过渡中固有的问题。我们建议进一步探索更大样本量的指导计划，以确定是否注意到自我报告的临床改善。
对专业和/或患者护理的影响：护士从业者是医疗保健系统的重要组成部分；他们的高级技能和知识使他们能够解决处方短缺问题，并为医疗服务不足的人群提供获得护理的机会。然而，文献表明，他们的利用率往往较低，过渡到自主实践仍然是一个挑战。我们对护士从业者试点指导计划的探索表明，他们的知识和感知技能很高，但在从高级执业注册护士过渡到自主护士从业者时，他们重视同行的帮助。我们建议进一步试验和评估护士从业者指导计划，以增加护士从业者的供应，并为服务不足的人群提供更好的优质医疗保健。
该研究解决了什么问题？护士从业者提供高级实践干预措施的能力，如诊断和药物管理，为解决医疗资源短缺问题提供了潜在的解决方案。然而，目前的文献表明，过渡到护士从业者角色的高级护士会经历过渡冲击，导致倦怠和保留率低。主要发现是什么？尽管该试点指导计划在调查中对信心和能力的反应显示出显著改善，但定性数据表明，新手护士从业者重视更有经验的从业者的同行支持和指导。参与者描述了与导师和同行学员保持持续联系，这有助于过渡到自主护士从业者的角色。该研究将在何处以及对哪些人群产生影响？该试点指导计划的结果表明，该计划对许多专业的新手护士从业者都有好处。本文表明，护士从业者指导计划可以为他们提供实践社区，并可能对过渡冲击产生积极影响。
混合方法研究的良好报告（GRAMMS）清单。
无患者或公众贡献。
