[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Do you have a nurse mentor? If you do, consider yourself lucky. If you don’t, think about looking for one.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are countless benefits to having a nurse mentor. A major benefit: They can help shape your career path, whether you’re a new nurse, advancing your career, or even changing specialties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nurse mentor can also help support you through challenges. Studies reveal new nurses, especially, face difficult times in their new roles. Challenges include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unsupportive work environments[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Dissatisfaction with their job[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Stress[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nurse-burnout/”]Burnout[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These challenges cause [hen-ui-link href=”https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jjns.12210″ target=”_blank”]high turnover rates[/hen-ui-link] or skillful nurses to leave the profession altogether. Having a great nurse mentor can prevent this. They can provide nurses with tools to tackle challenges while building confidence and resilience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Does Mentorship Work in Nursing?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Are Some Barriers to Nurse Mentoring?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses may face complications with mentors and may have to end the relationship. Reasons might be the mentee did not feel supported, or the mentor may not have the desired skill set. Some other barriers include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Cultural difference or miscommunication[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unable to maintain the relationship[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Lack of preparedness[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/articles/career-change-options-for-nurses/”]Career changes[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is Nurse Mentorship Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mentorship is important because it provides support, assistance, and guidance to nurses and nursing students. Nurse mentorship programs are critical; they can even be found globally. [hen-ui-link href=”https://human-resources-health.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12960-020-00491-x.pdf” target=”_blank”]One study[/hen-ui-link] showed that low- and middle-income countries have the largest nurse mentoring programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There is an initiative for healthcare workers, especially nurses, to participate in mentorship programs. Why? Studies show, along with nursing responsibilities, nurses exercise high [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1976131717304371″ target=”_blank”]emotional labor[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Emotional labor is “work role” specific. This is when nurses have to manage their emotions while interacting with organizations to reach their professional goals. Having a nurse mentor can help provide suggestions on how to navigate this reality.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The mentor and mentee relationship is a two-way relationship. The role of the mentor is to act as a role model and:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Be up-to-date on current policies and procedures[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Maintain professional practice[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Provide advice for difficult situations[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Offer support to increase successful goals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A mentee can add value to the relationship by:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Asking questions[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Being proactive[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keeping the line of communication open[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Asking for feedback[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Jillian Kobel, a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/trauma-nurse//”]trauma nurse[/hen-ui-link] registrar, started a new nursing position in March 2020. She was connected with a nurse mentor and continues to have a meaningful relationship with her mentor.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”I started this job working remotely during COVID and was put in touch with a nurse registrar,” Kobel said. “We had standing weekly meetings in the beginning and really connected. Now we talk all the time, and I run things by her frequently.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do I Find a Nursing Mentor?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are many ways you can find a nurse mentor: Internally through a formal program provided by your facility, or externally, through [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//taking-advantage-of-nursing-organizations/”]taking advantage of nursing associations[/hen-ui-link] or nonprofit organizations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can also choose your own nursing mentor. You just have to ask. Although it can be intimidating, many experienced nurses are eager to mentor nurses and nursing students.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some programs to find a nurse mentor include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]American Nurses Association (ANA)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.mentoring.org/” target=”_blank”]National Mentoring Partnership[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.sigmanursing.org/” target=”_blank”]Sigma Global Nursing Excellence[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://passthetorchforwomen.org/” target=”_blank”]Pass the Torch for Women[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]American Association for Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aonl.org/” target=”_blank”]American Organization for Nursing Leadership[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do I Become a Nurse Mentor?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many national nursing organizations have nurse mentorship programs — with enrollment opening as soon as next month! Enrollment for the ANA mentorship program opens August 2.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ANCC has a free, structured [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/Academic-Nursing/Professional-Development/Leadership-Development/MentorLINK” target=”_blank”]virtual dean mentorship program[/hen-ui-link] called MentorLINK. The application deadline is August 31. The program brings experienced deans together with deans looking to be mentored.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The program has an application for dean mentees. After answering a few questions on the application, the mentees match with the right mentor. The fee for the mentee program is $549.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Tips for a Successful Mentorship in Nursing[/hen-ui-heading]