MENTORSHIP
FOR THE NEW NURSE PRACTITIONER
Below, I discuss why mentorship
is important for new nurse practitioners during their first year of practice as
they transition into their new role of provider of care. I have also included
the references I used while compiling this information. Enjoy!
WHO: NEW NURSE PRACTITIONERS
WHAT:
- Mentorship is defined as an intense relationship between a novice and an expert to promote role socialization and ultimately role success of the novice.
- Mentorship creates a supportive environment to advance the new nurse practitioner’s learning and fill the gap between didactic information and real-world experience.
WHY:
- Transitioning from student to NP is a stressful time for new graduates.
- Working with a mentor is an effective strategy to ease the stress and anxiety experienced during the first year of NP practice.
- New graduate NP’s often believe that they must be completely independent with patient management.
- NP programs often do not provide sufficient opportunities for transition into the NP role.
- The responsibility of making health decisions for their patients is a common stressor for the new NP.
- Maintaining a nursing focus while integrating the roles of clinician can be a difficult process for new NP’s
BENEFITS:
- Outcomes of effective mentoring can impact job satisfaction, retention, and more effective patient care.
- A mentoring relationship enhances the development of the new NP’s knowledge and clinical skills.
- Mentee benefits from nurturing, protection, and opportunity for growth and advancement.
- Mentorship can be a source of support and knowledge
ROLE OF MENTOR:
- Should be an expert in their field
- Should be enthusiastic, approachable, patient, and available to the mentee
- Is able to create a supportive environment
- Can facilitate growth and development
- Shows genuine interest in the mentee
- Has confidence in the mentee’s abilities
- Provides constructive feedback
ROLE OF MENTEE:
- Must be open and honest about the characteristic they want in their mentor
- Enthusiastic and willing to learn and be challenged.
- Must communicate openly and honestly
- Should show an appreciation for the knowledge they gain from mentor
- Possesses critical thinking skills
- Responsive to feedback and guidance
MENTORING RELATIONSHIP:
- Based on an atmosphere of learning
- Open to new perspectives and expanding knowledge
- Committed to developing an effective mentoring relationship
- Effective communication
- Honest feedback
- Mutual respect and friendship
E.F. Hayes. (2005). Approaches to
mentoring: How to mentor and be mentored. Journal
of the American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners, 17(11), 442-445.
Hill, L.A. & Sawatzky, J.V.
(2011). Transitioning into the nurse practitioner role through mentorship.Journal of Professional Nursing, 27,
161-167.
Wolak, E., McCann, M., Queen, S.,
Madigan, C., & Letvak, S. (2009). Perception within a mentorship program. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 23(2), 61-67..
