Do you have a mentor?

[Sassybottom]

How many years have you been nursing? Do you still have a mentor? Seasoned nurses, are there still nurses on the unit you look up to and learn from?

I work with nurses who have been nursing for 20+ years and I periodically wonder if there are any nurses who they admire and learn from ...

And, do they remember what it is like to be a new grad? There is a nurse on my unit who is supposedly very cranky and crabby with a lot of folks (she is a seasoned nurse) but for some reason she is very nice and patient with me (so far) - maybe she remembers what it is like to be a new grad ...

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I've been in nursing for years.

And, yes, I have a mentor several years younger than I who advises me in my current specialty area (legal nursing).

No, I've never forgotten what it was like to be a new grad. I've been an instructor for years now as well as mentor for new NPs and LNCs.

But, there are days that I need to communicate with MY mentor, too.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Yes I do. She started encouraging me while I was in nursing school and I asked for her advice just this week on job matters. I also go to her with personal stuff not related to work.

I'm very grateful.

steph

[CHATSDALE]

whether you do or don't always remember the need for a mentor and be there for ones who follow you

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have been a nurse for 1.5 years, and have never had a mentor for a whole variety of reasons. In other words, I have been 'menting' and molding myself as the months pass. I am my own sole souce of support while practicing nursing.

I am my own mentor. :)

[mom4josh]

Yes, I have a mentor, and her instruction has been invaluable to me in my professional growth. She has been an oncology nurse for 30+ years. She has never once made me feel stupid or ridiculed me, and I know I must have asked some pretty dumb questions early on (and probably still do at times). I remember times when I just planted myself next to her and watched her, listened to her, and soaked up as much as I could from her experience.

I now have been in my job for 5 years and am charge nurse on night shift, which she usually works a couple nights a week. I still seek her advice sometimes. I was especially glad she was there a few weeks ago when I gave for the first time amphotericin B and the patient had a reaction. Scared me silly (on the inside, of course!), but she was so calm, cool, and collected because she had seen it so many times before.

Now that I have quite a few new nurses working with me, I try to emulate her by teaching, guiding, and lots and lots of patience! I'm also hoping she doesn't decide to retire like she keeps saying she's going to!