Mentorship and Intention to Stay in Nursing: An Integrative Review
Nicole Kadach, Lorelli NowellABSTRACT
Aims
To synthesize the empirical literature on mentorship and intention to stay in nursing.
Background
The global nursing profession faces a severe workforce crisis with escalating turnover rates and projected shortages. Nurse to nurse mentorship has emerged as a promising strategy to strengthen workforce stability. Intention to stay is a critical predictor of actual retention behaviour.
Design
Integrative review.
Data Sources
Five electronic databases were searched in April 2025: Education Research Complete, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase and PsycInfo.
Review Methods
Two researchers independently screened 3055 records at title/abstract and full‐text stages. Eighteen met the inclusion criteria. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data extraction was conducted by one researcher and verified by a second. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes across the included studies.
Results
Studies consistently demonstrated a positive relationship between mentorship participation and registered nurses' intention to stay. Reported outcomes mainly applied to mentees. Direct measures showed mentorship interventions mitigated declining intention to stay among newly graduated registered nurses. Retention rates among mentored nurses ranged from 85% to 100%. Key mediating factors included enhanced job satisfaction, increased professional confidence and competence, and reduced stress and burnout.
Conclusion
Evidence supports a positive relationship between mentorship participation and registered nurses' intention to stay in the profession. Mentorship represents a promising, evidence‐based retention strategy, particularly for newly graduated nurses during critical transition periods.
Impact
This review provides healthcare leaders and policymakers with evidence to inform the development and implementation of mentorship programmes as workforce retention strategies. Findings demonstrate that structured mentorship programmes can increase intention to stay during workplace transitions while generating economic benefits for healthcare organizations.
No Patient or Public Contribution
Not required, as the study synthesized evidence from previously published literature and did not include primary data.