need input from Mentors!!!

lsmo · Mar 18, 2001

Originally posted by hollykate:
Hi Guys, currently I am working to establish a mentoring program that isn't just lip service. I have read a lot of people saying they want a great preceptor/mentor and that makes all the difference- but no one has specifically said what makes a preceptor great or no so great.
In addition, all of our new nurses are sold on the idea of a mentor- but I am haivng trouble selling the idea of mentoring to the older, experienced staff- for all your experienced nurses out ther- what would motivate you to commit to one new nurse 100% for say a year? Extra money? extra vacation days? a trip to the Bahamas? Dream a little, and post back what would be an ideal mentor and what would motivate you to be a mentor with commitment to another nurses success. Thanks for each and every thought.

hollykate, Awesome idea and good for you for asking the question. I feel that while mentoring needs to be "assigned" on a strictly voluntary and mutual basis between the mentor and the new employee, new nurse or student nurse. It is very true that more time and less patient load would encourage the success of the mentoring process. In addition, I think all your ideas for rewards were excellent! I like the idea of some type of gesture of appreciation for those who go above and beyond. I like the idea of a REWARD of increased personal time in the way of more vacation days along with a personal stipend for my own personal development, whether it be personal (a Bahama trip) or educational ( a Bahama trip with CEU's)

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L.Smo RN

cmggriff · Mar 18, 2001

I was fortunate to have 2 great mentors when

I started out. Both of them were patient with me and offered help and advice when I asked, but left me to make my own mistakes when I didn't. One was an LPN. He was not as patient with other nurses. If another RN seemed to him to have an "attitude", he could be very scathing in his criticisms. The other fellow is an RN. And he is patient with everyone. He listens to the dumbest things a person has to say and then treats your comments on their merits. I have tried, when given the opportunity, to be like him in teaching the newbee's. I have been very gratified over the years to see a number of the nurses I helped train become very competent. Some of them have gone on to train others. I love my job.