Authors (including presenting author) :
TANG WH(1), LAI PL(1), FUNG CN(1), TAM WWV(1), TSANG HFD(1), LUI MWM(1), CHEUNG CK(1), CHAN YM(1), HA YHG(1), LEUNG M(1), YU CLD(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Nursing Services Division, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Mentoring Skills
Keyword 2: :
Newly Graduated Nurses
Keyword 3: :
Training Program
Keyword 4: :
Competence Improvement
Keyword 5: :
Structured Mentorship
Introduction :
The Hong Kong Children's Hospital (HKCH) serves as a tertiary referral center for complex pediatric cases. As pediatric services evolve, structured mentoring programs have become essential for assisting Newly Graduated nurses in their transition to the Registered Nurse role. Despite the need for core competencies in mentorship, some mentors lack vital traits such as communication skills and confidence in guiding others. To address these gaps, HKCH's Nursing Services Division launched the "Mentoring the Mentor" training initiative, aimed at enhancing mentoring skills and cultivating a supportive work environment.
Objectives :
To determine whether mentors' competence and confidence in mentoring skills improved after participating in a structured training program. The study tested the hypothesis that participants' mentoring competency scores would significantly improve following the "Mentoring the Mentor" training program.
Methodology :
A prospective, non-randomized, descriptive study using pretest-posttest design was conducted. Sixteen mentors from various clinical departments completed both pre- and post-training assessments using the validated Mentoring Competence Assessment (MCA). A one-day training session focused on adult learning principles, coaching, debriefing, and feedback techniques, incorporating scenario-based simulations and role-play facilitated by experienced clinical preceptors. Participants were placed in small groups of 3-5, mixing individuals across various units. The MCA was administered before training and one-month post-training. Paired t-tests examined changes, and exploratory regression analyses explored demographic predictors.
Result & Outcome :
Significant improvements were observed in overall mentoring competence following training, with a mean increase of 43.69 in the total MCA score (t(15) = 9.15, p < 0.0001). All subscale scores improved significantly, with mean differences ranging from 4.19 to 11.88 points. No statistically significant relationships were found between demographic predictors and post-training competency scores, likely due to small sample size (n=16) and limited variability among participants. Satisfaction surveys revealed high participant confidence in applying mentorship responsibilities and communication skills. Conclusions The study demonstrated that structured mentor training significantly enhances mentoring skills. However, its small, single-center nature limits the generalizability of the findings, leaving unclear which mentor traits impact outcomes. Ongoing training and feedback from supervisors and mentees are recommended, along with consideration of mentors' motivational and situational factors. Future research should involve larger, diverse samples and extended follow-up periods.
