The Importance of Clinical Mentorship Through the Lens of Newly‐Graduated Registered Nurses: A Focused Ethnographic Study in a Hospital Setting

ABSTRACT

Aim

To explore newly-graduated registered nurses' professional needs and how these needs are supported by mentors in clinical practice, at two Swedish hospital care units.

Background

Previous studies show that newly-graduated registered nurses face challenges on initially starting to provide hospital care, thus needing organisational support. Experienced nurses and mentors are commonly described in the literature as facilitating this support and need to be investigated further; however, where this appears in a hospital setting.

Design/Method

A qualitative study using focused ethnography was conducted between May 2024 and March 2025. Data was generated from 9 different fieldwork sessions (68 h) for mentoring that included newly-graduated registered nurses and mentors from two different care units at hospitals within one regional healthcare authority in Sweden. Data was collected by means of participant observations, shadowing, ethnographic interviews, and the use of ethnographic analysis.

Findings

One main theme was identified: I'm in freefall and in need of practical, social and emotional support when navigating my new role, as well as two subthemes: (1) I am a new nurse and in need of help in comprehending and performing nursing, and (2) I am undergoing a learning process in need of a trust-based relationship. Each theme includes three subthemes.

Conclusion

Newly-graduated registered nurses need consistent practical, social, and emotional support in their day-to-day work through trust-based relationships with mentors. This is a relationship crucial for their learning process, and which helps them bridge the gap between understanding and practicing nursing.

Implications for the Profession

Structured mentorship can improve the learning environment of newly-graduated registered nurses and constitute a sustainable working environment for them. Decision-makers and managers can use this knowledge to implement mentoring programmes that are of interest when it comes to retaining both new and experienced nurses and providing qualitative and safe care.

Reporting Method

This study conforms to the reporting of the COREQ guidelines and checklist.

Patient or Public Contributions

No patient or public contributions.