This qualitative phenomenological case study was designed to investigate the affect that a formal mentoring program had on job satisfaction including a nurse's intent to stay with their current employer and their intent to stay in the nursing profession. The research was intended to determine whether mentoring programs could be used to help avoid the affect of the upcoming predicted nursing shortage in the acute care hospital.

The findings were based on the results of a sample of twelve nurses who had voluntarily signed up to take part in a formal mentoring program sponsored by the staff development department of a mid-size health care system. Data collection was accomplished through the interview process. The results showed that there was little affect on job satisfaction or intent to stay within the organization. The results also showed that the nurses who were part of this study had very specific career plans which had been formed prior to joining the program.

This research may be of interest to individuals or organizations that are looking for ways to enhance recruitment and retention of their health care staff in a cost effective manner. Recruitment and retention of nurses and other allied health professionals will continue to be challenging in the years ahead.