Members of the ICU team share the impact of their mentorship program during a recent presentation in the Lorusso Board Room at Cape Cod Hospital. Back row (left to right): President and CEO Michael Lauf, Margaret Weinstock, Jon Cattabriga, Lindsay Kelley, Denise McDowell, Katelyn St. James and Meredith Ritchie. Front row: Brittany Castillo, Ashley Gray, Emma Slysz and Mary Johnson.

Supporting the Next Generation of Critical Care Nurses

ICU mentorship program builds confidence, strengthens teamwork and supports retention.

For critical care nurse Jon Cattabriga, having someone to talk to after a challenging shift can make all the difference.

A novice ICU nurse at Cape Cod Hospital, Cattabriga said the hospital’s Critical Care Mentorship Program has helped him process difficult cases and build confidence as he transitions into the high-acuity environment of critical care.

“Before this, after a bad day I would drive home in silence,” said Cattabriga, who started his career as a nurse on North 3. “Now, I can talk through what happened with my mentor and get perspective. Having that support system makes a big difference.”

Those conversations often happen with his mentor and clinical leader Denise McDowell, RN, who reviews his cases, answers questions and provides encouragement.

Mentee Jon Cattabriga & mentor Denise McDowell

“We’re able to review scenarios in real time,” said McDowell. “We talk about what went well, what we could have done better and what may have been out of our control.”

Launched in September 2025, Cape Cod Hospital’s Critical Care Mentorship Program connects experienced ICU nurses with novice colleagues as they move from preceptorship to working on their own in the ICU.

The program currently includes seven mentor-mentee partnerships involving 13 nurses, creating a network of support where newer nurses can reach out to experienced colleagues for guidance and encouragement. Mentees are able to choose the mentor they feel most comfortable connecting with, helping to foster trust from the start.

Developed by a team of ICU nurses participating in the Massachusetts AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Nursing Workforce Solutions program, the initiative aims to ensure that nurses entering critical care feel supported as they build their skills and confidence.

Their message is simple: “We’ve Got Your Back.”

Addressing a critical need

During a recent presentation in the Lorusso Board Room at Cape Cod Hospital, mentors, mentees, clinical leaders and senior leadership gathered to hear the ICU team share the progress and impact of the mentorship program.

Cape Cod Healthcare President and CEO Michael K. Lauf praised the initiative and emphasized the importance of mentorship in healthcare.

Critical Care Mentorship Presentation

“Everyone moves so quickly today that we sometimes forget it’s our responsibility to help bring the next generation along,” said Lauf. “Programs like this create the relationships and support that allow nurses to grow and succeed.”

Critical care nursing requires rapid decision-making and the ability to manage complex, high-acuity patients. Unlike larger academic medical centers where ICUs are often specialized, community hospitals like Cape Cod Hospital care for a wide variety of critically ill patients in the same unit.

In emergency situations, teamwork is essential. Clinical leaders are often at the bedside helping coordinate care—running the code cart, setting up equipment such as arterial lines or defibrillators and supporting bedside nurses as they manage critically ill patients. The mentorship program helps newer nurses become more comfortable with these high-pressure situations while knowing they have experienced colleagues ready to guide them.

“New nurses often build strong relationships with their preceptors during orientation,” said ICU nurse Lindsay Kelley, RN, one of the program’s mentors. “But once orientation ends, they’re suddenly expected to fly on their own. This program ensures they still have someone they can reach out to for support.”

Emma Slysz, RN, an ICU nurse and mentor involved in the project, said many novice nurses experience a period of adjustment as they transition into critical care. “Regular check-ins with mentors give them an opportunity to express their anxieties and how they’re feeling,” said Slysz.

A promising impact

Early survey results suggest the program is already making a difference.

A follow-up mentorship survey showed improvements in 11 out of 16 measures, reflecting stronger feelings of support, collaboration and confidence among participating nurses.

The initiative may also have financial benefits. According to national data cited by the team, the average cost of losing a nurse is about $61,000, meaning improved retention could save hospitals hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Building a culture of recognition and support

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, the team implemented several initiatives to strengthen the ICU’s culture of collaboration and recognition.

These include:

• Weekly mentor–mentee check-ins
• “Sunday Skills” sessions for hands-on practice with equipment and procedures
• Post-shift recognition huddles
• Gratitude boards highlighting team contributions

Beyond supporting new nurses, the program has also strengthened relationships across the ICU.

Team members say the initiative has helped create a more open, collaborative environment where nurses feel comfortable asking questions and learning from one another.

“Since starting this project, we’ve become closer as a unit,” said Ashley Gray, RN, a novice nurse in the ICU. “People are excited about recognizing their colleagues and supporting the newer nurses coming into the department.”

Looking ahead

The team hopes to continue expanding the program and eventually bring similar mentorship models to other units across Cape Cod Healthcare.

For the ICU team behind the program, the goal is simple: ensure that every new nurse knows they are not navigating the challenges of critical care alone.

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself,” said Kelley, echoing a quote shared by the group during their presentation.