Eventually, an alarming number of students erroneously conclude they are not capable of completing a thesis and drop out. The demands of thesis writing seem to introduce a significant amount of pressure, stress, and impacts on Master's students' self-image, motivation, and ability to persevere. Mental health stability is jeopardized unless supportive and self-initiated coping behaviors are strong." (Kaminski, 2002-2003) Quite clearly this aspect of graduate study is one that may cause many students to give up and drop out of the study program. Pointed out in this work is the statement of Lazarus (1966, 1977) that the individual's "perceptions play a substantial role in what some may call objectively stressful events. This perspective assumes that stress occurs when both (a) the situation is appraised as challenging or demanding and (b) insufficient resources are available to cope with the situation." Further cited as challenges facing graduate students in the work of Kaminski (2002-2003) are (1) Financial Factors; (2) Multiple Roles; (3) Isolation Factors; and (4) Personality Characteristics.

In the work of Goran (2001) entitled "Mentorship as a Teaching Strategy" stated is: "Nursing is facing challenges unparalleled in its history. As we face the opportunities of the future, mentors play a more important role than ever." The works...

" (Goran, 2001)
Summary & Conclusion

It is clear that mentorship among instructors and students is vital in the successful completion of the nursing graduate program for some and perhaps even most students. There are as well other aspects such as master thesis writing that will require students receive proper preparation from instructors. It is clear that more study is needed in this area.

References

Gardner, Deborah B. Ph.D., RN, CS (2005) T. 1 en Lessons in Collaboration - Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 10 No.1 Manuscript 31 Jan 2005. Online available at www.nursingworld.org/ojin/topic26/tpc26_1.thm.

Kaminski, June (2002-2003) Informatics - A Professional Development Initiative 2002-2003 Online available at http://www.nursing-informatics.com/mentalthesis.html.

Goran, S.F. (2001) Mentorship as a Teaching Strategy - Critical Care Nursing Clinical North American Journal 2001 March 13(1): 119-29. PubMed.

Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for…