Who is the "best" mentor you ever had and why?
My best mentor was a former supervisor who allowed me to learn while giving me autonomy in my practice. She was and still is readily available for guidance and support. She has been invaluable to me. She is honest, open, and a plethora of information, but knows when to defer when something is not her area of expertise.
I met her when I was an intern in the OR and she was a staff nurse in PACU. We have a strong bond now. We are both in leadership positions at this time and must on occasion work closely together to obtain collaboration for processes and procedures effecting my area and her areas. She was more than just my assigned preceptor. I had many preceptors while an intern, but only one mentor.
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5 comments:
I really like your topic about mentors. The best mentor I ever had was my high school EMT instructor. I had her for many classes and even met with her after I graduated because she was always willing to listen and was easy to talk to. I think that a mentor should be someone that can give you advice when necessary, but is also someone who you know will be there for you no matter what. I will never forget the impact she has made upon my life. I aspire to be as nurturing as she was, and I hope to leave that same impact on the lives of other people.
Thanks for your topic,
Jen W.
Jen,
Great example of a mentor. You state that you met even after you graduated and will never forget the impact she had on you. Has anyone else ever experienced someone who has had such an impact on you that you will never forget them?
This is such a great blog. Mentoring is very important to the future of nursing. I have always heard how "nurses eat their young", I thankfully never experienced this. I can think of 2 or 3 people I consider mentors. One would be the person that precepted me but the others are experienced nurses on my unit. I look to them when I have a question. I like to bounce ideas off of them and see if I am having the same thought processes they are. I also feel that they are there to encourage me and support me. I think a mentor is someone that you look up and help you in your career. My mentors make we want to mimic their behaviors, they are professional, caring, understanding, encouraging, supportive, smart and some of the best nurses I know. I think mentoring is a great way to get the experienced and the unexperienced involved in the retention of nurses.
A mentor is someone who may not know it all, but know how to find out what is needed. A mentor helps in more ways than just being a teacher. She helps the person she is mentoring be comfortable with whatever is being done. I still keepin touch with my mentor from 13 years ago. She helped me build confidence and know when to ask for help. She never made me feel like I asked a silly question. She showed me how important it is to never forget being the new person. I also think it really helps me when I am working with someone who is new to be more understanding. A mentor is someone who leaves a lasting impression.
I really like how this subject is evolving. Good work. The best mentor I ever had was one who didn't even know she was mentoring me. She was a seasoned ER nurse who I worked along side with at Presby Plano. She shared her tips to anyone who cared to listen. When there was a teaching opoortunity she was the best. I think the best mentor are those who empower you to use the skills you have and help them bloom.
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