Mentoring and Self-directed Learning at Each Career Ladder Classification of Nurses at a Hospital

Abstract

【Objective】The purpose of this study is to reveal the mentoring and self- directed learning of a hospital nurses’ at each step on the career ladder. 【Method】The researchers conducted an anonymous survey via a self-administered questionnaire covering 272 subjects. Career ladders were categorized into Level I (beginners) to Level VI (chief nursing officers/ specialist nurses). 【Results】The results of a one-way analysis of variance showed that the guidance/education function of mentoring is significantly higher in Level I than for nurses at other levels. Role model functioning is significantly higher in Level I than Level III. Regarding skills and the foundation of learning concerning self-directed learning, Level II is significantly lower than Level III and as is Level IV to VI. 【Discussion】These results suggest the necessity of improving the guidance/education function for Level III nurses, and of improving the learning foundation environment for Level II nurses.