Mentoring and Support for Underrepresented Nursing Faculty An Integrative Research Review

Background: Nursing faculty members may need several mentors to succeed in scholarly productivity, career development, work-life balance, and socialization in the academy. Underrepresented (UR) faculty report additional challenges to success. Purpose: The aim of this study was to search the literature for best practices in mentoring UR faculty. Methods: An integrative review was conducted to identify best and evidence-based practices for mentoring UR faculty, including gender, sexual minority, race, ethnicity, and geographic remoteness (rural). Fifteen articles were rated on evidence and methodological quality. Results: Successful mentorship programs include honest communication, including all stakeholders in forming a mentoring program, goals and activities that come from the mentees, and guaranteed resources. Conclusions: Underrepresented nursing faculty may benefit from formal mentoring programs, but more research is needed.