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Developmental mentoring: New graduates' confidence grows when their needs shape the relationship

Abstract:

Background: The transition from student midwife to practising midwife can be supported using the developmental mentoring approach. Aim: This paper describes a research project that explored group mentoring with four new graduate midwives and four experienced midwives. Methods: This longitudinal project used mixed methods to collect data over a period of one year. Data included three in-depth interviews with each participant along with quantitative data from contact logs, self-assessed confidence scales and analysis of practice outcome data. Findings: the four new graduate midwives were able to clearly identify their needs and how those needs could best be met. The most valued aspect of the mentoring support was the ability to discuss practice experiences with the mentors and to hear and learn from all the group members (both other graduates and mentors) during the group meetings. Conclusion: The developmental mentoring approach used in this project was strongly based on a philosophy of supporting the new graduates as competent novices. This approach enabled the new graduates to identify their own needs and decide how to have them met (Lennox, Jutel, & Foureur, 2012). The project appeared to support the new graduates to develop as confident and safe practitioners.

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confidence, Developmental mentoring, new graduates, support