Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
8-2025
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Marie McBee
Abstract
Introduction/Purpose: Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) transitioning into academic healthcare often face challenges related to role clarity, professional identity, and emotional support, which can hinder their engagement and retention. This quality improvement project aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a structured mentorship pilot program for pediatric APPs to increase work engagement by 10%.
Methods: Grounded in the Strong Model for Advanced Practice and Wagner’s Caring Mentorship Framework, the project employed a mixed-methods QI design. Four pediatric APPs (n=4) participated in an 8-week structured mentorship program. Interventions included the intentional pairing of mentors and mentees, biweekly one-on-one sessions, and targeted professional development opportunities. Quantitative outcomes were measured using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), while the Munich Evaluation of Mentoring Questionnaire (MEMeQ) and open-ended feedback assessed satisfaction and perceived value. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic review. Limitations included the small sample size, absence of a control group, and limited generalizability beyond the institutional context. The project applied QI principles through iterative implementation and stakeholder engagement.
Results: The overall UWES-9 mean score increased by 5.6%, with a 13.4% improvement in the Vigor domain, surpassing the specific aim for that dimension. MEMeQ responses demonstrated unanimous satisfaction, highlighting the accessibility of mentors, empowerment, and professional growth. Reduced standard deviations suggested greater consistency in participant experiences.
Implications for Practice: Structured mentorship, grounded in theory and tailored to the needs of APPs, shows promise in enhancing work engagement and reducing the risk of burnout. The intervention was low-cost, feasible, and well-received, suggesting potential for sustainability and system-wide scalability in academic health settings.
Keywords: quality improvement, advanced practice providers, structured mentorship, work engagement, professional growth, academic health setting
Keywords
quality improvement, advanced practice providers, structured mentorship, work engagement, professional growth, academic health setting
Recommended Citation
Erica Annotti, DNP, APRN, PNP, "A Pilot Structured Mentorship Program To Increase Pediatric Advanced Practice Provider Engagement At An Academic Institution" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 95.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/95