What qualities to look for in a mentor?

Todd SPN · Nov 10, 2003

This probably won't help you, but when I wanted a mentor, I had many questions about numerous subjects. Nothing specific except he had to be a male working in LTC. I knew I needed a sounding board and someone that had some experience in the field and could offer a working perspective. I called up the local nursing home and asked if they had any male nurses working there. They had one and I told them what I was looking for and left my phone number. He called, we met (turns out he was a grad of the same school I was attending), and made arrangements to meet weekly. I was greatly benefitted by his insight and advice. He even drove 40 minutes to meet me in the school lab after class to help me with a procedure I was to be tested on. A big thank you to all who have taken the time to mentor.

rpbear · Nov 10, 2003

I think you should look for qualities and beleifs in a mentor that are simmilar to you own (ie-work ethic, personal beliefs). I would look for someone that will inspire me and make me want to be a better person, nurse etc. Most of all look for someone that has a very poistive outlook. Nothing like having a mentor that hates their job, life, experiences etc. This could be very discouraging. This person also has to be willing to put forth the effort to be a mentor.

I don't have a "mentor" but I take the best qualities from many people I know and use them in my life, I work with one nurse who is the very best patient advocate I have ever seen, she inspires me to do the same! Another takes the time to really get to know each of her patients on a personal level (long tem care nurse), he insperes me too. Everyone has something to offer it is just a matter of finding the person that inspires you to be better.

Good Luck!

happystudent, RN · Nov 11, 2003

Originally posted by Todd SPN
I was greatly benefitted by his insight and advice. He even drove 40 minutes to meet me in the school lab after class to help me with a procedure I was to be tested on.

That s what I call a mentor!

WhyO · Nov 11, 2003

HI

I never went to anyone and asked them if they would be "My Mentor", it just happened. I have several nurses who just naturally fell into that role because of their knowledge, willingness to pass it on and because they seemed to care about me too! I have so much to thank them for. I have now been a nurse for almost five years and these nurses are STILL there for me--

The really great part is when someone says to you in the future "you are one of my mentors and... " ! I almost passed out when one of the baby nurses said that to me. It was such an honor.

Good luck!

WhyO

unikuelady, RN · Nov 11, 2003

I have been a preceptor/mentor for the past 3 years. I enjoy being a teacher. What I like to see in my "trainees" is a willingness to learn, keeping up with my pace, intelligence and ability to think things through/problem solve. Someone who asks questions when they are not sure-especially when it involves medications, tx procedures. Someone who admits they don't know everything, admit mistakes when they happen. And #1 is a prepared person. I have had many, many nurses-both new grads and those with "years of experience" who were clueless on basic nursing skills. In the past 3 years I have had at least 4 nurses who were hired that claimed they were "experienced" that were "DANGEROUS and UNSAFE" to be around patients. I was assigned to preceptor all of them, Management wanted to make sure that every new hire received a fair "chance" to demonstrate that they were capable. This was very frustrating to me when I would write up incident reports and inform management about the problems. Sorry about getting long winded. It sounds like you would be someone I would enjoy mentoring-just for the fact that you are thinking ahead, asking questions and are concerned about your training. Please keep in mind that whom ever your preceptor is, they are going to be doing twice the work and taking on twice the responsibility every time they work with you (I do NOT get more money or compensation for preceptoring) Most preceptors I know put their heart into their teaching.

happystudent, RN · Nov 11, 2003

Thank you , unikuelady.

I am so happy you took the time to reply. I think that having a mentor is so important because I KNOW when I start working, I will need the support!

Thank u 4 your perspective;)

healingtouchRN · Nov 11, 2003

I had several "mentors" along my path. In my BSN program, I had an RN on days who did my preceptorship. She completed the same BSN program I had, but 4 years earlier, so we had a lot in common. When I came to night shift, I had two mentors (both have passed away). One was an older RN, who was very spiritual, motherly, but modern in her thought process. The other was an RN (male), & had cardiac birth defects (which was his demise). Both offered my great knowledge & skills in CV nursing, but also from different view points, older vs younger, BSN vs ASN, just different view points (not which one is best). I admire them each in their own right. My 1st mentor retired to fulltime motherhood of 5 children. She felt her career best prepared her raise her children. yet another view. Hope this helps...Best wishes!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 11, 2003

Here are the qualities I would be looking for, Happystudent:

*A genuine interest and joy in teaching another. ( you can see the delight in their eyes as you begin to comprehend and emulate... they get excited WITH you !)...

*Patience. Even after having to explain something or go over a procedure a second, third, or even fourth time.... no eyerolling, sighs or funny looks.

*Humility. The ability to remember when they were in your shoes, and how scared, nervous, and dumb they felt !

*The ability to motivate... make you anticipate each new learning experience with excitement and a "good feeling".

* The natural ability to ENCOURAGE. Regardless of your mistakes, the length of time it takes you to "get it"... this person has YOUR mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing at heart... and it is genuine. She/he knows when YOU are happy, YOU are "comfortable" in having grasped the knowledge she/he is passing on to you.. your patients will be also. :)

happystudent, RN · Nov 11, 2003

Thank you, jnette!

I will DEFINATELY keep that in mind. :kiss