Experiences Described by Novice Teaching Academic Staff in Baccalaureate Nursing Education: A Focus on Mentoring Melissa Anibas, MSN, RN Gail Hanson Brenner, MSN, RN CeCelia Zorn, PhD, RN Sigma Theta Tau International – Mu Lambda Chapter Minnesota State University, Mankato September 14, 2007

Faculty Shortage Early Retirement (Faculty Census Survey, 2003) National League for Nursing (Kovner, Fairchild, & Jacobson, 2006) – Vacancy Rates Increased 32% from – 2/3rds were 45 – 60 years old in 2006, and likely to retire in the next 5-15 years

Increased Utilization of Teaching Academic Staff (TAS) Often Part Time Experts in Concurrent Practice Positions Little Formal Preparation for Educator Role Minimal Preceptorship or Mentorship Availability

Ample literature focused on novice tenure track faculty or those in community college settings, but no study examined experiences of novice TAS

Research Questions “What are the experiences described by novice TAS in a baccalaureate nursing program and how do these experiences compare to their expectations and needs?” “How was mentoring experienced by novice TAS?”

Experiences Feel Overwhelmed High Anxiety – Performance, balance, keeping up, and isolation Coping – Independently sought out professional support systems

Mentoring Mentoring roles Stages of the mentoring relationship Qualities of a mentor Mentor versus preceptor Formal versus informal

Method Design: Descriptive, naturalistic inquiry

Sample: Convenience, Ten novice TAS – Age (26-65); all Caucasian – 9 Female, 1 Male – Highest degree completed – Master’s degree – Variable FTE’s – 7 Classroom and clinical; 3 clinical only Setting: 3 Midwestern baccalaureate nursing programs – 2 public, 1 private Data Collection: Focus group interviews

Feelings – Anxiety, Frustration, Uncertainty, Isolation, Awkwardness, Expendability, Confusion – Confidence, Feeling supported, Belonging Preparation for Role and Expectations – Previous work, education, and life experiences – Familiarity with content – Expectations influenced by student characteristics – No expectations

Resources – Sources – Relationship with faculty colleagues – Characteristics of support persons as experienced – Helpful things others can do

Challenges – How to teach – How to evaluate – Personal – Organizational

Mentorship – Description and comparison with preceptorship – Mentorship experienced – Becoming and preceptor or mentor

Novice TAS experience is consumed with feelings and challenges Some support exists - need to strengthen Inconsistent use of “Preceptor” and “Mentor”

Transitional Process (inadvertent findings) Jumping in Surviving day by day Moving forward

Lessons Learned: Our Reflections Personal connection with topic Stick with the data (living the topic has tendency to influence interpretation) Experiences with interview skills Group research is enriching and fun; different talents are brought together Dissemination is simultaneous and ongoing

Acknowledgements Research Participants University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire – Small Research Grants – Sigma Theta Tau International – Delta Phi Chapter – Data transcriptionists

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