Which statement best distinguishes mentoring from coaching in nursing professional development?

• A. Mentoring is short-term, goal-oriented, and relationship-based.
• B. Mentoring is ongoing, relationship-based guidance; coaching is focused on improving specific skills or performance over a shorter term.
• C. Mentoring is only for new graduates; coaching is for experienced nurses.
• D. Mentoring is delivered as online modules; coaching is in-person.

Answer: (B)

Mentoring in nursing professional development is an ongoing, relationship-based process that supports broad, long-term growth and career development. Coaching, in contrast, targets improvement of specific skills or performance and is typically time-limited with structured goals and feedback. This combination—ongoing guidance and relationship focus for mentoring, versus skill- or performance-specific work over a shorter period for coaching—best fits how these two approaches function in professional development. For example, a mentor might help with career planning, navigating the workplace, and professional identity, while a coach would concentrate on a particular competency, like communication during rounds or critical-thinking in a clinical decision, within a defined timeframe.