Aim

This study examined faculty mentoring practices and strategies currently in place in nursing programs.

Background

Mentoring is a critical component of organizations and can be especially important in times of organizational change. Schools of nursing are experiencing rapid organizational shifts with increases in retirement and the proliferation of Doctor of Nursing Practice-prepared faculty.

Method

Deans and department chairs of baccalaureate and higher degree programs across the United States participated in a web-based survey.

Results

Results from the survey suggested that the vast majority of nursing programs had practices and strategies aimed at mentoring faculty that were based on the traditional mentor-protégé approach. Few programs differentiated their mentoring practices depending on the type of doctoral education or anticipated roles of the faculty member.

Conclusion

Our research highlights the fact that nursing programs still employ traditional methods of faculty mentoring. Recommendations for nursing programs are discussed.