The lived experience of neophyte nursing instructors: mentorship and its role in their development

Figures & data

Table 1 Qualitative interview guide

Can you tell me about any experience you have had as a mentor or mentee? What does mentorship or mentoring mean to you? Can you recall your thoughts and feelings when you first started in your role as a nursing instructor? How has mentorship played a role in your development as a nursing instructor? How might new nursing instructors be better prepared and supported as they transition into their new role? Are there any questions that you thought I might ask that I didn’t?

Table 2 Example of how significant statements were identified, highlighted, and extracted

46. Well for me, um mentorship would be a mentor a person I look up to and want to learn off, and, em, who has much more experience and greater stories than what I have. And someone I can get guidance from

Note: The number 46 represents the appropriate line in the transcript.

Table 3 Process of creating formulated meanings from significant statements

Significant statements	Formulated meanings
(5, 8) Definitely preparing to teach and being comfortable in front of my students, looking like I knew what I was talking about were for me the biggest struggle and I’ve found now that I’ve taught one or two courses I feel … I still have that initial … I think everybody has that initial nervousness when approaching their students but the confidence comes.	(5, 8) Challenges of being a neophyte instructor include preparation, being comfortable teaching, and lack of confidence. These challenges resolve over time with experience.
(1, 48) They (mentors) are people who have much more experience, and I have observed how they practice and I admire them and their way of practicing nursing, and they are people who are approachable.	(1, 48) Mentors are chosen for their experience and approachability and are admired by their mentees.
(3, 165) […] and we do our labs together so I really feel those first couple of labs that I, I really liked having him there as kind of a mentor to say this is what I do … I knew what to focus on but it was my first time ever teaching and to teach a three hour lab you know is kind of overwhelming to somebody who’s never taught before … it was really great to have him there so he kind of ran the first lab and I just kind of jumped in and that sort of stuff and then as I went every week we did the same thing.	(3, 165) Co-teaching with a mentor provides a supportive relationship to gain valuable skills in the role of nursing practice instructor and to lessen anxiety about the new role.

Note: Figures in brackets denote the participant number, and the appropriate line in the transcript (ie (5, 8) = participant 5, line 8).

Table 4 Illustrating the emergence of themes from theme clusters and formulated meanings

Formulated meanings	Theme clusters	Emergent theme
(1, 26) The mentorship experience was helpful to observe teaching.	Observation	Mentorship experience
(1, 110) Mentorship provides a supportive learning environment to demonstrate the practice of clinical nursing education.	Observation
(2, 10) It is valuable for new instructors to have a mentor who they can observe in practice.	Observation
(3, 354) The experiences of watching a mentor teach is more effective than reading about how to teach.	Observation
(5, 18) Senior mentors can provide teaching pointers, lesson plans, direction, and focus.	Observation
(1, 26) The mentorship experience was helpful to provide guidance on how to adapt similar practice.	Hands-on practice
(2, 2) Mentorship can provide a more hands-on learning experience.	Hands-on practice
(3, 93) The instructor guides provide mentorship to new instructors.	Written mentorship
(3, 111) Having a checklist to ensure all information has been provided would be helpful.	Written mentorship

Note: Figures in brackets denote the participant number, and the appropriate line in the transcript (ie, (1, 26) = participant 1, line 26).

Table 5 Themes and subthemes

What neophyte nurse educators want in a mentor	Relationships
	Willingness to be a mentor
	Similarities
	Differences
	Feedback
	Ability to allow mentee to grow into confident instructors
Identifying a new role	Moving from expert to novice
	Facing the unknown
	Searching for information
	Looking to those with experience
Mentorship experiences	Opening the line of communication
	Someone to answer questions
	Observation
	Written mentorship
	Co-teaching
	Peer mentorship
Becoming proficient as an instructor and mentor