Coaching and Retention of Early Career Pediatric Nurses.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2025

Identifier

DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20250612-02

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Early career nurses with 1 to 2 years of experience are offered minimal structured support after onboarding. During this period, nurses often contemplate their next career steps without guidance, sometimes leaving an organization.

METHOD: A quantitative quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine whether career coaching focused on professional development and mentorship would (a) increase retention and (b) improve engagement of pediatric nurses with 1 to 2 years of experience.

RESULTS: Participant retention remained 100% throughout the study. Nonparticipant retention dropped to 96% at 12 weeks postintervention and 94% at 20 weeks postintervention. Engagement scores increased after the career coaching sessions, with no statistically significant difference in mean values for engagement pre- and postintervention (t = -1.06, df = 8.00, p = .320).

CONCLUSION: Engagement improved postintervention. Retention was greater for participants than for nonparticipants. Increasing nurse retention positively impacts professional, financial, and patient care outcomes for nurses and the health care community.

Journal Title

Journal of continuing education in nursing

Volume

56

Issue

8

First Page

322

Last Page

328

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Female; Mentoring; Pediatric Nursing; Male; Adult; Education, Nursing, Continuing; Mentors; Nurses, Pediatric; Personnel Turnover; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Middle Aged; Staff Development

PubMed ID

40749214

Keywords

Mentoring; Pediatric Nursing; Nursing Continuing Education; Mentors; Pediatric Nurses; Personnel Turnover; Hospital Nursing Staff; Staff Development

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