The effect of "mentored" relationships on satisfaction and intent to stay of company-grade U.S. Army Reserve nurses.

This study examined the strategic implications of mentoring relationships perceived by company-grade U.S. Army Reserve nurses. The effects of mentorship on professional socialization, job satisfaction, and intent to stay were examined using the adapted framework of Hunt and Michael. The study population consisted of U.S. Army Reserve nurses from all three components of the ready reserve. One hundred nurses from each category were randomly selected and provided a questionnaire. The questionnaire combined Dreher's Mentoring Scale, Price's Intent-to-Stay Scale, and Hoppock's Job Satisfaction Scale. The overall response rate was 57%. Seventy-two of the 171 respondents reported at least one mentored experience. Findings indicate that mentored nurses report more satisfaction and have a higher intent to stay than nonmentored nurses. Continued research and encouragement of mentoring are recommended.