How Does Mentorship Influence Doctoral Nursing Education? An Integrative Review.

Aim

To report how mentorship influences the educational experiences and training of doctoral nursing students.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Methods

Peer-reviewed journal articles, theoretical works and editorials published in English that focused on doctoral nursing education were included. Papers reporting on mentorship for undergraduate nursing students, nursing faculty, educators, academics or clinical placements were excluded. Data were synthesised into an integrative review, with findings presented as a narrative summary.

Data Sources

Relevant papers published between January 2015 and January 2025 were identified using CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC and Embase electronic databases. Search date March 10, 2025.

Results

The review included 16 articles, mostly from the United States of America (USA), examining mentoring in doctoral nursing education. Key findings highlighted valued mentor attributes, such as role modelling and expertise, along with benefits like enhanced research skills, academic performance and personal development. Mentoring also positively impacted mentors' creative performance. Barriers included limited mentor access and compatibility issues.

Conclusion

This review highlights essential attributes of effective mentors, balancing relational skills with expertise. Mentorship enhances student research skills, performance and personal development, also benefiting mentors' creativity. Limited access and compatibility issues pose barriers for nurse scholars. Doctoral programmes should prioritise mentor training, culturally responsive practices and equitable opportunities. Investing in mentorship can cultivate confident nurse leaders and scholars.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

This review underscores the necessity of structured mentorship within doctoral nursing education. Effective mentorship directly influences student development, enhancing their research capabilities, academic achievements and readiness for professional roles. Prioritising mentor training and implementing culturally responsive mentorship frameworks can foster inclusive environments that better support diverse doctoral students, ultimately strengthening the nursing profession's academic and clinical leadership.

Reporting Method

This integrative review was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.