Experiences of Bachelor of Science Nursing Students Participating in Peer Mentorship in Kenyan Universities

Abstract

Peer mentoring provides opportunity of a higher skilled or experienced individual to support the lesser in
the same category with benefits being experienced by both. Peer mentors eventually perceive the process as
transformational born out of desire to help. Due to the nature of the course intensiveness of nursing, the nursing
student mentoring experiences demonstrate a mutually beneficial relationship. The study aimed at exploring
Experiences of Bachelor of Science Nursing Students Participating in Peer Mentorship in Kenyan Universities.
The study was qualitative conducted in three universities that had participated in a peer mentorship program
between January to august 2020 involving 50 peer mentors. Data collection involved individual interviews and
focused group discussions. Data was analyzed thematically. Findings revealed 3 themes that emerged describing
change that occurred in the peer mentor and these were: Development of social interaction abilities, Development
of stress management skills and Development of resiliency. Peer mentors felt that the experiences helped produce
a lot of change in them in as much as the intension was to support peer mentees. The study concludes that peer
mentorship is beneficial in promoting both individual mentor as well as institutional educational and social
goals. The study recommends utilization of peer mentorship in institutions of higher learning since it benefits
both the mentor and mentee.