Evaluation of the Inaugural Pennsylvania School Nurse Mentorship Program

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Evaluation of the Inaugural Pennsylvania School Nurse Mentorship Program
Language: English
Authors: Alicia M. Hoke (ORCID 0000-0001-9061-6738), Katie Greenawalt, Erika VanDyke, Angela Zearfaus, Deepa L. Sekhar
Source: Journal of School Nursing. 2026 42(3):221-231.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Sponsoring Agency: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH)
Contract Number: UL1TR002014
UL1TR00045
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: School Nurses, Mentors, Program Effectiveness, Seminars, Self Efficacy, Professional Development, Satisfaction
Geographic Terms: Pennsylvania
DOI: 10.1177/10598405241301995
ISSN: 1059-8405
1546-8364
Abstract: The role of a school nurse has evolved due, in part, to complex health conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. In turn, nurse burnout and early retirement are contributing to school nurse shortages across the United States. Interprofessional support, training, and mentorship are needed to support school nurses new to the field. Thirty early-career Pennsylvania school nurses (15 mentors, 15 mentees) participated in a one-year mentorship and professional development program that included one-to-one mentorship and a five-part professional learning seminar series. Mentored pairs created mentorship action plans guided by the 21st Century School Nursing Practice[TM] Framework. Participants completed mentored meetings with high fidelity (93% completion). Mentees and mentors reported high levels of satisfaction with their experience. Mentees' confidence in performing action plan items improved after participating in the program. This study suggests mentorship among school nurses is a valuable strategy to increase confidence in practice and develop professional relationships.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505788
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The role of a school nurse has evolved due, in part, to complex health conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. In turn, nurse burnout and early retirement are contributing to school nurse shortages across the United States. Interprofessional support, training, and mentorship are needed to support school nurses new to the field. Thirty early-career Pennsylvania school nurses (15 mentors, 15 mentees) participated in a one-year mentorship and professional development program that included one-to-one mentorship and a five-part professional learning seminar series. Mentored pairs created mentorship action plans guided by the 21st Century School Nursing Practice[TM] Framework. Participants completed mentored meetings with high fidelity (93% completion). Mentees and mentors reported high levels of satisfaction with their experience. Mentees' confidence in performing action plan items improved after participating in the program. This study suggests mentorship among school nurses is a valuable strategy to increase confidence in practice and develop professional relationships.
ISSN:1059-8405
1546-8364
DOI:10.1177/10598405241301995