Passing the torch: a faculty mentoring program at one school of nursing.

This article describes a formal mentoring program for new nurse faculty at a small, private, midwestern university. Awareness of the shortage of available qualified nursing educators, loss of faculty due to retirement, and the desire to retain novice faculty prompted the initiation of a mentoring program in a rapidly expanding nursing department. Caring concepts from a previously offered "Caring" course were integrated into the mentoring program. Personalized attention, encouragement, and support and development of a positive attitude toward teaching were reported by new faculty in the program and mentor evaluations. Continuation of this program and recognition of mentoring as part of a faculty member's teaching load demonstrate the Department of Nursing's commitment to this process.