Aim: To conduct a systematic literature review and to examine the effectiveness and application of mentorship programmes for recently registered nurses.
Background: The implementation of mentorship programmes is an important strategy that health care institutions employ to retain nurses who have been recently registered. By better understanding the applications and effectiveness of mentorship programmes, the retention rate for these nurses can be enhanced.
Evaluation: We collected existing literature to examine experimental and quasi-experimental studies that adopted mentorship programmes as an intervention. Five studies were included in the final analysis.
Key issues: The strength of the evidence provided through the selected studies was ranked at Level III based on the study design. Furthermore, these studies revealed that the implementation of mentorship programmes reduced turnover rates, employee turnover costs and medical negligence rates. Job satisfaction and professional identity were improved.
Conclusion: The results of this systematic review suggest that mentorship programmes are a beneficial process for mentors and recently registered nurses. In addition, mentorship programmes involve multi-dimensional teaching strategies and training courses and require long-term development.
Implications for nursing management: The findings of this systematic review on the application and effectiveness of mentorship programmes for nurses who have recently registered can provide references for nursing managers who are selecting mentors and for the design of practical programmes.
Keywords: mentorship programme; recently registered nurses; systematic review.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.