The value of mentoring in nursing leadership: a descriptive study.

The author of this descriptive study explores the general characteristics of mentoring relationships and their effects on professional lives as perceived by nurse administrators. An adult developmental theoretical framework was used. The sample consisted of 367, members of the California Society for Nursing Service Administrators, a group of top-level nurse administrators. The overwhelmingly positive responses supported the literature, which described a variety of significant positive developments as a result of mentoring relationships. Ninety-seven percent (n = 356) indicated changes had occurred in their lives, with a change in self-confidence indicated most frequently. More than eighty percent (n = 294) indicated the relationship was valuable. Enhancing formal and informal mentoring relationships particularly in the nursing leadership arena is important.