The most effective way to reach your potential as a nurse is to be mentored and to mentor. Mentoring is a form of influence that involves orientation, career advancement, problem solving, coaching and support. Successful people describe the role of a mentor as someone who had a significant and positive impact on them. Mentors often act as a role model, friend, a guide or a coach.
I didn't know how much I didn't know until I started teaching. In order to teach a concept, you have to have a much deeper understanding of it; and by teaching I learned about my weak areas and was able to strengthen them. Being mentored has helped me in many ways to become a better nurse and being a mentor has allowed me to be able to pass on the wisdom that I so freely received. No matter what point in your career you are, having a mentor would help you to be able to reach a higher level of potential.
Look around you for people who might serve as a good mentor. It might be that you want to look outside of nursing. I have had mentors who are business people, clergy, and even marketing experts. Make a commitment to your career that you will seek out mentors and become a mentor to those who are not as far down the path as you are. Many famous people have had mentors, including:
· Robin Williams, who was mentored by Jonathan Winters,
· Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was mentored by Joe Weider,
· James Earl Jones, who was mentored by his literature professor Donald Crouch.
· Even Jay Leno had a mentor in Johnny Carson.
· Dr.Ruth was mentored by Dr.Helen Singer Caplan,
· And the first woman astronaut, Sally Ride, was mentored by Dr.Arthur Walker, her Stanford physics professor.
And although commonly mentors are people who are further along in the profession than you are, the John Hopkins pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr.Benjamin Carson, was mentored by his mother Sonia. Mentors can come in all shapes and sizes. You never know who you can learn powerful lessons from. By being mentored, you will have the opportunity to share in the wisdom and experience of someone who is more experienced than you and you will be able to gain insight from reflecting on your own experiences with the mentor.
Here are some guidelines to use when choosing a mentor. Mentors should be nurturing, positive, and trustworthy. In addition, look for someone who has achieved a higher level of success than you have. Choose someone who is friendly and has your best interest at heart. Keep in mind that your mentor will get as much out of the experience as you will. By mentoring, the mentor gets the opportunity to teach, which reinforces concepts and helps them to identify areas that they need additional work with and it provides positive feedback on the accomplishments that they have already made.
What qualities would you like to find in a mentor?
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No matter how far along in your career you currently are, consider mentoring. By being a mentor, you will be able to pass on your knowledge and experience and be able to identify your own weaknesses better. Even if you've only been in your job for a week, you can still mentor the person who is just starting today. You do not have as much to give yet as someone who has been there for ten years, but hopefully, you can point your new mentee in the direction of someone who has the knowledge and experience and who is willing to share that with them.
What do you have to offer a mentee? (skills, knowledge, etc.)
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Everyone needs a mentor; and every nurse needs to mentor. The benefits to each other and the benefits to the healthcare system are enormous.
Identify two people who you could approach about becoming your mentor:
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Identify two people who you could mentor:
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What resources could you use to develop mentoring skills?
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How could you promote mentoring on your floor? In your hospital?
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