years of supervised practice is required for beginning competency in a career . Another finding was that new graduates ’ preferred career choice was travel nursing . Although travel nursing is currently a popular trend , the best practice is to gain at least two years ’ experience in a permanent position to develop competent nursing practice , critical thinking , and interdisciplinary teamwork before traveling ( Vezina , 2022 ).
What Is Mentoring ? Effective mentoring consists of various relationships that promote development of professionals throughout their career . Beginning and advancing a career require moving through various stages with guidance over extended time . This process of career socialization is well documented for every profession and corporate life . Crucial career developmental needs cannot be managed in isolation . A popular nursing framework , From Novice to Expert ( Benner , 1984 ), describes how nurses move through five stages of clinical proficiency , from beginning novice to high level expert leadership . With support , students and novices evolve to think and act as nurses . Relationships with others — family , teachers , health care colleagues — are also important developmental influences . However , mentoring networks and bonds among nurses are a unique crucial factor in navigating the path to career success and satisfaction . Only nurses can teach each other how to be nurses !
Reciprocal benefits are always present in the mentorship process . It is not a one-way street but a mutual giving and receiving — that is , a give-andtake relationship . Both proteges and mentors gain numerous benefits from shared connections , exploration , learning , and collaboration .
Current graduates appear to experience mentoring differently . Lois Sarah Marshall , PhD , RN , Coordinator of the NSNA Career Center , has reported anecdotally that students view mentoring as short , task-focused transactions — for example , help with job hunting , resume writing , interviewing , and board preparation . ( 2021 ). The delivery concept of mentoring is also changing . Social media platforms and online communities are assuming important roles in mentoring functions . This is the new look of mentoring . This virtual connection is passive , meaningful , and strong ( Luis , 2021 ). Important influencers are followed for their profiles , examples , stories , and solutions on Instagram , LinkedIn , Twitter , FaceBook , TikTok , You Tube , podcasts , zoom , and others .
Who Are the Mentors ? In the traditional expert-novice model , the mentor is an older , more experienced person who coaches , inspires , advocates , and opens doors for a younger , less experienced person . Today , mentoring is broader and more diverse . There are no limits to successful mentoring relationships such as age , experience , education , gender , cultural , or ethnic background . A variety of mentors expands learning and wisdom . Mentors can be peers , family , teachers , clinicians , managers , executives , association members , and physicians . Peer-colleague mentors are an especially valuable resource . New graduates can share valuable experiences and information with their classmates and with students coming behind them .
It is wise to have mentors from diverse backgrounds who can offer different viewpoints . An extensive pool of dedicated mentor-leaders is available to students and new graduates in the mentor programs of major nursing associations . The key is getting out and looking for people who are willing to be in your network and who will champion your goals and professional development . Ultimately , your connection power will depend on your interests , energy , and drive .
The two types of mentor relationships are ( 1 ) protégé and mentor choose each other and ( 2 ) proteges and mentors are matched or assigned in a formal program . Mentors assume various roles : guide , cheerleader , coach , advocate , confidence builder , role model , sounding board , protector , problem-solver , door-opener , and more ! Nurses need different mentors for different reasons in every season of the nursing career .
For novice nurses , mentors can be survival guides and provide a safety net in new and sometimes daunting territory . Students , novices , and nurses care for the sick and dying in hospitals and communities in challenging situations . They deserve and need the comfort and camaraderie of affirming mentors on their journey — to lend an ear , bolster self-confidence , offer insights , and serve as advocates . The bottom line is this : The best time to have mentors is all the time . Find many mentors . Do not travel alone .
24 NSNA IMPRINT • FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 • www . nsna . org