Abstract
Aim: To summarise the effect of mentoring within mentoring programmes on the retention and turnover of newly graduated nurses in healthcare settings.
Design: An umbrella review.
Methods: Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts and full texts for eligibility and critically appraised the included reviews using the JBI critical appraisal. The findings were tabulated and synthesised.
Data Sources: The search was conducted in five electronic databases (CINAHL, Ovid Medline, ProQuest, Scopus, Cochrane and Medic) in November 2023.
Results: Out of 450 Papers, 13 systematic and integrative reviews were included. Thirteen mentoring programmes were identified and categorised into three groups based on their content: didactic mentoring programmes, interaction-based mentoring programmes and combined mentoring programmes. Across these programme types, retention among newly graduated nurses ranged from 72% to 100% at the 1-year mark and 70% to 98% at 2 years. Turnover rates showed consistent reductions, with post-intervention rates ranging from 3.5% to 20% compared to pre-intervention rates of up to 50%. Several studies reported statistically significant improvements in retention and turnover, particularly in programmes integrating structured education and preceptorship models.
Conclusions: Several different mentoring programmes have been developed to support the transition of newly graduated nurses. Mentoring programmes that provide ongoing support and structured guidance increase retention and reduce turnover among newly graduated nurses.
Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Effective mentoring programmes are key to ensuring high- quality patient care and a sufficient supply of qualified nurses in the future.
Impact: The findings can provide information for developing transition support and mentoring programmes for newly graduated nurses.
Reporting Method: This umbrella review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) statement.
Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.
Trial and Protocol Registration: The umbrella review protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42023478044
Design: An umbrella review.
Methods: Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts and full texts for eligibility and critically appraised the included reviews using the JBI critical appraisal. The findings were tabulated and synthesised.
Data Sources: The search was conducted in five electronic databases (CINAHL, Ovid Medline, ProQuest, Scopus, Cochrane and Medic) in November 2023.
Results: Out of 450 Papers, 13 systematic and integrative reviews were included. Thirteen mentoring programmes were identified and categorised into three groups based on their content: didactic mentoring programmes, interaction-based mentoring programmes and combined mentoring programmes. Across these programme types, retention among newly graduated nurses ranged from 72% to 100% at the 1-year mark and 70% to 98% at 2 years. Turnover rates showed consistent reductions, with post-intervention rates ranging from 3.5% to 20% compared to pre-intervention rates of up to 50%. Several studies reported statistically significant improvements in retention and turnover, particularly in programmes integrating structured education and preceptorship models.
Conclusions: Several different mentoring programmes have been developed to support the transition of newly graduated nurses. Mentoring programmes that provide ongoing support and structured guidance increase retention and reduce turnover among newly graduated nurses.
Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Effective mentoring programmes are key to ensuring high- quality patient care and a sufficient supply of qualified nurses in the future.
Impact: The findings can provide information for developing transition support and mentoring programmes for newly graduated nurses.
Reporting Method: This umbrella review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) statement.
Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.
Trial and Protocol Registration: The umbrella review protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42023478044
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-22 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Journal of Advanced Nursing |
| Early online date | 27 Oct 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 27 Oct 2025 |
Keywords
- mentoring
- mentoring programme
- newly graduated nurse
- retention
- transition programme
- turnover