Homer (1998) in his epic poem
Odyssey tells a story about the goddess Athena assuming the the role of a noblemen named Mentor who teaches and guides Oyssseus's son, Telmachus through challenges. For the past 3,000 years, mentors have served as guides. "The first year as a professional nurse is full of ambitions and challenges" (Halfer, 2007). The new nurse may need a full year to gain confidence in their new profession and may need to be guided to utilize professional development opportunities. (Casey, et al, 2004). A mentor can be the guide a novice nurse needs.
My favorite definition so far is from Sheila Grossman's book Mentoring in Nursing."Mentoring in nursing encompasses a guided, non-evaluated experience, formal or informal, assigned over a mutually agreed-on period of time that empowers the mentor and mentee to develop personally and professionally with the auspices of caring, collaborative, and respectful environment."
What do you believe a mentor is?
15 comments:
Hello,
I found the Blog and looks like you are moving on in a big way. This also looks like it may very much enrich your pursuit of the study on mentoring.
Way to go!
JD
Hello Lena, great site. I might need your help.
Lena:
I tried to write before registering on Google so this might be a repeat post; if so sorry. Great site. I have mentored many new graduates. I believe that empowering them is a critical need. From a staff nurse point of view I believe management needs to adjust staffing when mentoring a new graduate. I have had some hospitals where I have had a novice and had a full load of patients (5-6, usually at least 2 criticals holding in the ED-I am a ED nurse) You can't walk a novice RN through her first neonatal septic w/u with patience if you are managing 2 patients on vent's. So unfortunately the expert nurse will just do the task instead of making it a teaching experience because of time constraints. I hope that administration realizes the importance of the mentor relationship, and allows scheduling so learning can take place. With the nursing shortage this is such a timely, relavent site..Great great job. Kathi
What would you say is the difference between a mentor and a preceptor?
I believe a mentor is someone who is a guide through what ever is your life goal.
Hi,
I think a lot like Brenda. A mentor is someone that you choose, whereas a preceptor is often chosen for you...
Good replies so far. Let's keep looking at what is a mentor and what if the difference between a preceptor and a mentor for another day or so. Think about mentors you have had versus preceptors you have had and discuss the meaning both had for you in your experiences.
I personally have had great experiences with both preceptors and mentors. For me, they ended up overlapping-- which I realize that is not the case for everyone. Especially when I got my first job outside of nursing school, my preceptor was definitely the person I would have personally chosen to be my mentor.
Like Lindsey, I too have had excellent mentors and preceptors during my nursing career. In my thinking, I associate mentors as choosing to mentor versus a preceptor being "assigned" to precept. Either way, in order to be effective and mutually rewarding, the mentoring process must be desired by both mentee and mentor.
Great blog and comments!
I love the addition of the sunrise is that new. Keep up all the great work
Great responses. Excellent observation by lgp... who says the mentoring process has to be desired by both the mentee and mentor.
Yes, the sunrise is new! Gives some perspective on mentoring :)
I feel that a mentor is someone who supports, encourages, and guides your professional, and sometimes personal, development. I agree with everyone else that preceptors are 'time-sensitive' in that they are there for a specified period of time. Mentors, on the other hand, are there all the time.
P.S. Great blog!:)
Excellent discussion!
Great blog! I love this discussion. I had a great preceptor, who evolved into being a mentor for me in NICU. She was a great teacher, she motivated me to try new things, and was always willing to listen. Our relationship evolved into friendship and she has even come to me a few times for advice. I think our relationship worked so well because we had mutual respect, trust, and even shared the same values. I think personality tests should be done to pair nurses with preceptors to help ensure the relationship will work.
I posted a comment previously but don't see it. It think I probably messed up on the word verification. I am getting new glasses! Your site is great.
To me a mentor is someone who makes you feel comfortable and helps you build confidense in yourself.A mentor is someone to take questions who will not make you feel silly and will help you find answers. A mentor is someone who you will think about when it is your turn to be a mentor.
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