Exploring registered nurses’ perspectives as mentors for newly qualified nurses: a qualitative interview study

Objective Existing research has focused mostly on mentees’ experiences of mentoring rather than mentors’ experiences. Therefore, this study describes registered nurses’ experiences of being a mentor for newly qualified nurses. Design A qualitative interview study based on semistructured individual interviews. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Participants and setting A purposive sample of experienced registered nurses (n=21) from healthcare units in northern Sweden and northern Norway. Inclusion criteria were to have been a mentor to at least one newly qualified nurse, hold permanent employment of 75%–100% as a registered nurse and to be able to communicate in Swedish or Norwegian. Results Our study’s findings suggest that being a mentor plays a crucial role in establishing safety in complex work environments. The main theme consists of three themes: feeling motivated in being a mentor; continuously developing the learning environment; and navigating obstacles and cultivating support. Conclusion Being a mentor is a complicated role for registered nurses. The mentoring role is beneficial—ie, positive and rewarding—if facilitated sufficiently in the context of a structured organisation. This study brings a more profound understanding of and provides new insights into registered nurses’ perspectives and needs regarding being a mentor and the study’s findings make an important contribution to the field of nursing regarding the facilitation of mentoring.

A few questions / comments and suggestions: In your review, you mentioned in page 3 Line 28-29 "Personal growth and professional development occur in stages that rely on constructive relationships and support from other professionals".To this reviewer, an important and relevant literature on this aspect may have been missed.One example includes "Yip, Y. C., Yip, K. H., & Tsui, W. K. (2021).The transformational experience of junior nurses resulting from providing care to COVID-19 patients: From facing hurdles to achieving psychological growth.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,18(14), 7383.doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147383".Consider acknowledging that paper or others to ensure an integral review of the concerned matter.
In page 4 Line 19, cannot explain clear for any data saturation for participants sampling, relevant to the study.
In page 4 Line 45-51, how to set the main interview questions, relevant to the study is not clear.
In page 4-5 Line 59-15, unclear illustration how to have data analysis, relevant to the study is not clear.
It's better to re-contracture the methodological considerations in page 11 line 32-47 to page 4-5 line 59-15, for better explanation for data analysis.
In page 6-7, for the subtheme: "feeling motivated in being a mentor", the authors could consider discussing whether there were any cultural differences between the and Swedish participants regarding the personal characteristics and qualities they strived to embody as mentors.Since the findings included nurses from both Sweden and Norway, comparing their perspectives on desirable mentor attributes and behaviors could provide additional context about the range of qualities valued in an ideal mentor.
In page 13 Line 23-29, the global shortage of registered nurses' issues, relevant to the study is not clear.
In page 13 Line 38-39, what is high-quality care, relevant to the study is not clear.

VERSION 1 -AUTHOR RESPONSE Reviewer comments:
1.In your review, you mentioned in page 3 Line 28-29 "Personal growth and professional development occur in stages that rely on constructive relationships and support from other professionals".To this reviewer, an important and relevant literature on this aspect may have been missed.Thank you for your valuable suggestion.We have carefully read and considered referencing your article titled 'The transformational experience of junior nurses resulting from providing care to COVID-19 patients: From facing hurdles to achieving psychological growth.'We acknowledge the relevance of your work in exploring the experiences of junior nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.Even though our research objectives and context differ from those of your study, we believe that your study provides valuable perspectives for understanding our results.Therefore, we have added your article to our discussion on page 12.
2. In page 4 Line 19, cannot explain clear for any data saturation for participants sampling, relevant to the study.
Following your comment, we have added clarification on data saturation on page 4, under "Participants and sampling" (as suggested), and analysis saturation under "Data analysis".
3. In page 4 Line 45-51, how to set the main interview questions, relevant to the study is not clear.
Thank you for this comment.In addition to information on the development of the interview guide, page 4, we have also added the interview guide as a supplementary file, following your comment.
4. In page 4-5 Line 59-15, unclear illustration how to have data analysis, relevant to the study is not clear.