Mentoring is an integral part of being a nurse.

Being mentored by other nurses helps the nursing student and novice nurse grow in ways needed to become proficient and successful. Seasoned nurses benefit from being mentored by more senior nurses, who offer peer support and encourage them to remain engaged and attain their professional goals.

Mentors exemplify a passion for quality improvement and patient safety through demonstrating the desire to share their knowledge, experience, and the challenges of their professional journey to shine a light on the importance of excellent patient outcomes.

Why mentorship is so important

Mentoring is crucial to the development, adjustment, success, and critical thinking among new nurses, nursing students, nurses new to an organization, and even experienced nurses.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a new emphasis to mentoring, as the healthcare delivery system experienced a tremendous turnover resulting in a considerable influx of new staff at every level. Evidence shows that implementing effective nurse mentorship programs can impact our profession by empowering nurses to make confident, well-informed decisions regarding patient care. It also improves their overall job satisfaction and creates a long-term commitment to high-level professional development.

Ultimately, strong, effective mentorship leads to higher-quality patient care that results in better patient outcomes. 

What it means to become a nurse mentor

Taking on a mentorship role is a great way to remain engaged and invest in the future of the nursing profession.

Being an effective mentor is an acquired skill. Mentors must be able to listen carefully without being critical or judgemental and have a sense of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and objectivity to offer sound feedback and guidance. Mentors must also be able to advise and guide their mentees so they can find their way and make their own thoughtful decisions. Being present in the ways the mentee needs is something to consider before taking on this relationship.

Setting healthy boundaries is a vital component of this connection. These can be extremely challenging but are all very crucial aspects of mentoring. 

Mentors are sought for many reasons, such as guidance in navigating unit or organizational culture issues, making career-related decisions, or handling problematic situations. Nurses can have different mentors depending on their professional needs, each bringing distinct types of expertise and guidance. Many of these relationships span an entire career, even after work obligations have been met or career changes have occurred.

Even seasoned nurses benefit from mentors who encourage them to expand their career goals, enhance professional development, and offer support in handling complex work situations.

What to look for in a nurse mentor

When seeking a nurse mentor, the mentee should pursue approachable and trustworthy individuals who will be an honest and objective sounding board.

Reaching out to another in person or via email is a great way to begin this conversation. Beginning by pointing out the ways you admire the individual is a great way to initiate the request and sets the tone for the discussion. Following up with a face-to-face conversation after a few days allows time for both individuals to think about the responsibilities involved. 

The mentor/mentee will determine the relationship expectations. Some suggestions are a weekly check-in which could be over lunch, by phone, or by text. It also involves offering support and encouragement during shifts. The mentor will provide support and be a resource to the mentee. This relationship should not feel cumbersome, and clear role expectations and mutual goals should be established early. Some mentoring relationships may have specific objectives, and some may be informal. Discussing these expectations lays the groundwork for a successful mentorship.

Reach out & be rewarded

Mentoring relationships can be difficult to begin, yet the rewards are endless. Finding a mentor willing to invest time in developing this relationship can be challenging, especially when many nurses are currently experiencing high rates of job stress and burnout. Many are reluctant to initiate this conversion or take on this role, already feeling overwhelmed with work and job obligations. However, the benefits of mentoring and having a mentor are limitless, both professionally and personally. Mentoring programs facilitate professional growth and create cohesive units that lead to improved patient care and outcomes.