Peer mentoring in nursing education: A concept analysis

Aim This peer‐mentoring concept analysis aimed to explore and define the concept of peer mentoring in nursing education and the impact it may have on nursing education. Background A lack of literature exists explicitly defining peer mentoring in nursing education. The interchangeable use of processes, terms, and applications may contribute to the lack of consistency and obscurity of nursing education scholarship on peer mentoring. Since peer mentoring can be used to enhance student success, there is a need to clarify the concept of peer mentoring in nursing education for accuracy in future nursing education research. Design/Review Method Using Walker and Avant's framework, the authors identified defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences of peer mentoring. Data Source The literature search involved a combination of terms in the MEDLINE with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, Humanities International, ERIC, CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Consumer Health Complete‐EBSCOhost databases. Results This concept analysis revealed a consistent definition of peer mentoring for use in nursing education. The definition of peer mentoring in nursing education is a formal learning partnership between two individuals (mentor and mentee) with differing levels of nursing school experience. The peer mentor promotes a positive academic and emotionally supportive environment, decreasing stress and increasing the mentee's confidence and competency. Conclusion A shared definition and understanding of peer mentoring within nursing education can contribute to the consistent use of the concept in research and advance the scholarship of nursing education.