Mentorship Impact for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants/Physician Associates 

Abstract Objective Mentorship has many notable benefits, including academic advancement and career satisfaction. Limited research regarding mentorship for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Physician Assistants/Physician Associates (PAs) exists. Methods A survey was sent via email to all APRNs and PAs at a single academic medical center. The univariable analysis included Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare those with and without a mentor. The multivariable analysis determined independent predictors of factors associated with mentorship. Results The response rate was 32.4% (n = 934). 185 (19.8%) identify having a mentor. Multivariable analysis shows those with a mentor are statistically more likely to function as a mentor (OR 1.8 1.2–2.7, p = .003), have an academic rank of assistant professor or higher (OR 2.9 1.7–4.9, p = .001), be < 45 years old (OR 2.6 1.6–4.2, p < .001), and be < 10 years into their career (OR 1.8 1.2–2.8, p = .006). Those with a mentor are statistically more likely to be satisfied with mentorship (84.3% vs. 25.1%, p < .001) and agree mentorship was important for academic success (80.5% vs. 7.3%, p < .001) and attaining leadership positions (69.7% vs 48.2%, p < .001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that mentorship for APRNs and PAs is imperative and can profoundly affect academic and career satisfaction. Future research may explore more profound organizational and professional benefits of mentorship among APRNs and PAs.