Impact of a virtual mentorship program on nurses’ personal and professional development in Nigeria

Background: Despite the benefits of mentorship for nursing professional development, virtual mentorship remains understudied in resource-constrained settings like Nigeria. This study explored nurse experiences in the FYNI virtual mentorship program in Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A qualitative design was used with fifteen mentees selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed thematically. Results: Five themes emerged from the study: Pre-FYNI mentorship exposure, the FYNI mentorship structure, impact of the FYNI mentorship program, challenges and weaknesses of the program. Most participants lacked prior formal mentorship. The FYNI program improved mentees’ confidence, communication, research skills, and career clarity. However, challenges such as mentor availability, inconsistent communication, and short duration were noted. Conclusion: The FYNI virtual mentorship program enhanced mentees' professional and personal growth. Despite challenges related to mentor availability and the program duration, the mentorship experience fostered increased confidence and career clarity. Extending program duration and strengthening communication and mentor engagement are recommended for future mentorship initiatives. These findings add to the evidence supporting structured mentorship as a critical component of nursing education and professional development.