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Background: Challenges of retaining registered nurses in the profession is a global issue[1]. Support is an important factor for retaining nurses[2], and even though mentorship have been found to reduce turnover rate for nurses[3], it is still not a fully integrated routine in all health care units. To fill the knowledge gap, the aim of this study is to describe registered nurses’ experiences of being a mentor for newly qualified nurses.

Methods: Members of the collaborative project Becoming a Professional Nurse performed individual interviews in health care units in Sweden and Norway. Participants were registered nurses (n=21) who had mentored at least one newly qualified nurse. Transcribed interview data were analysed using qualitative content analysis[4]. 

Preliminary results: To be a mentor were described as; being a role model for the mentees, creating an inclusive and open environment, and developing as a professional. To be successful mentors, they described a need of; scheduled time, support from colleagues, education about mentorship, arenas for exchange of experience, and attendant leaders. Conclusions: There is a need of a structured organization to promote mentorship. More research is needed to develop, test and evaluate evidence-based mentorship programs in the health care units.