Olivia A. Erbele, MS, RN, FNP, Office of Nursing, Ga Dept of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, 2 Peachtree St, NW, Suite 15-273, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404/657-2700, oaerbele@dhr.state.ga.us

Most of Georgia’s health districts are experiencing a severe nursing shortage. The critical impact of this shortage, coupled with severe budgetary constraints, led nursing leaders to search for low-cost innovations that promote recruitment and retention in public health nursing. Georgia’s Department of Human Resources (DHR), Division of Public Health, developed a plan to address this emerging crisis within public health nursing. Mentoring was identified as a key element in this plan. Focus groups were conducted with public health nurses throughout the state to gather information that would be helpful in developing a mentoring program for public health nurses. Collaborative partners used the focus group results and a literature review to develop a manual and training curriculum for a mentoring program. After the mentoring program manual was approved in September 2003, three pilot sites were identified. Interested mentors at each site completed a self-assessment to identify positive mentoring characteristics and potential barriers to mentoring. Supervisors identified potential mentees. Site coordinators compiled mentoring directories, including information about mentors’ experience and interests, and, from these, mentees selected their mentors. After mentors and mentees were matched, participants completed an online job satisfaction survey prior to a four-hour training course. The pilot program will conclude by March 2004. The program participants will complete a post-pilot online job satisfaction survey and a formal evaluation instrument. Job satisfaction and program evaluation results will be analyzed to determine the effectiveness and desirability of formalizing Georgia’s Mentoring Program for Public Health Nurses.

Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will be able to

• Identify literature sources focused on mentor/mentee programs;
• Discuss the steps in establishing a mentor/mentee program in a state with budget and public health nursing shortages;
• Review the content outline for a pilot public health nurse mentor/mentee program;
• Examine the job satisfaction and evaluation results from participants in a pilot mentor/mentee pilot program.

Keywords: Nurses, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.