An experience of peer mentoring with student nurses: enhancement of personal and professional growth.

This article discusses the importance of peer mentoring in nursing education. The current literature is reviewed and areas for further research are identified. Most specifically, the article explores the results of a recent research study conducted at Southern Cross University in Australia. The research investigated the relationship between personal and professional growth and peer mentoring with a group of women nurses. Seven nurses participated in this qualitative research project. Six of the participants were student nurses enrolled in an undergraduate nursing degree and the seventh participant was the degree program coordinator. The research was conducted over a 12-week period and was located in critical paradigm. The research methods used were reflective journaling and interviewing. The results indicated that the process of peer mentoring in nursing education demonstrated a strong relationship to personal and professional growth for all of the participants. Characteristics of the peer mentoring process such as shared learning, shared caring, reciprocity, commitment to each other's personal and professional growth, and friendship, are discussed.