American Society of Registered Nurses
American Society of Registered Nurses
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Mentoring in Nursing
Why Mentoring?
Incentives for Mentors
Incentives for Mentees
Mentor Database

The reasons for the current, renewed emphasis on mentoring in the nursing profession are many. Mentoring is not only a traditional manner of passing knowledge and experience from one generation to the next. It is also a means of preparing nurses for practice and encourages them to assume their role as able professionals better able to play a vital role in the health care environment.

The mentoring relationship has a strong tradition in nursing, dating from long before the profession was a recognized field of study. Historically, the profession and science of nursing was passed along through close teacher-student relationships. In the 21st century, the need for this relationship has grown, as effective collaboration after graduation is required in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment.

Mentoring is a well-established concept in many professions, including law, medicine, and engineering. It encourages career development and enhancement; supports ethnic and gender diversity in the profession; provides member benefits; and increases retention. Mentoring can help young people through times of change and transition, easing the adjustment to a new academic or professional environment and ensuring the success of emerging professionals.

Mentoring is often given lip service in education, but in successful hospitals, it is a reality. Mentoring facilitates success. People want to be around other people who are successful and who demonstrate a positive attitude.

You can make a difference by becoming a mentor. You have the opportunity to help prepare a future generation of nurses for the challenges ahead. A mentee should possess an insatiable desire to learn, study, express interest in their own work and the work of their mentee. You can make a difference in that nurses' learning process and at the same time in the profession of nursing.