Peer mentoring in long-term care: rationale, design, and retention.

This article describes two successful peer-mentoring programs designed to improve the quality of care in nursing homes and retention rates among direct care staff. The first program, "Growing Strong Roots," examined CNA retention rates and the second program, "Peer Mentoring for Long Term Charge Nurses," examined RN and LPN retention rates. These programs include a training component, an on-the-job mentoring component, and reinforcing booster sessions. This article includes content and operational issues, recommendations for further program development and research, and replication information.