Public Health Nurse Mentorship

This qualitative study explored how the mentoring relationship of the parenting teen with the public health nurse (PHN) has contributed to the teen’s life management skills and well-being. The framework for this study is based on social support and mentoring theories. Eleven parenting teens were interviewed. Confidentiality of the PHNs was consistently listed as an important attribute by the teenagers. All the teenage mothers saw finishing school and providing for their baby as a sign of success in their lives. Consistent with literature, the benefits of a mentoring relationship included learning, prevention of subsequent pregnancies, encouragement to continue education, emotional support, and the development of parenting skills. Some of the teens attributed their return to school after childbirth to the encouragement and support received from the PHN.