Almost 5 years ago I stepped into a new role within nursing. A more independent, specialist and advanced role, in a new clinical setting that I had never worked in before. For me at the time it was a very steep learning curve in every aspect. I felt like a beginning practitioner all over again, even though I had worked as a nurse for over 20 years. At the same time as I started my job, another nurse with a lot more experience also began working with me. She very quickly realised that I needed more support to not only navigate my new role with increased responsibilities but to feel more settled in this role and to gain my confidence. It was because of this that my colleague agreed to mentor me in the beginning phase of this new position.
The value of this was immeasurable and I still to this day appreciate the time and the constant offerings of the many learning, understanding and realising moments where I could literally talk about anything in my work. No question was regarded as silly. One thing that was very supportive was that we shared the same office, so there were times where I definitely learned by observing and listening to how my colleague approached things in her practice. Essentially, I learned so much by osmosis. There were times, especially at the beginning, when I was seriously struggling with adjusting to my role, the learning curve was huge as I was adjusting from ward-based work to a community consulting role.
This experience had such a profound influence, both in my regard for my colleague but also myself in how much I grew and developed both as a clinician but also as a person. On reflection, I very much have to appreciate my own openness, vulnerability and honesty that I approached this time with.
In nursing we learn so much from our colleagues, and given our attitudes and approach to work, so much can be exchanged with one another. The relationships we have with each other are not only important but essential.
Now I find myself in the position where I have the opportunity to give back, to mentor and support other nurses. I have been in my current role for 5 years and am feeling much more confident in my practice where I feel I have a lot to offer my colleagues. I love supporting nurses to feel more confident in their own practice, especially in the area of nursing that I work in. I know many nurses struggle in this area of practice and genuinely want to feel more confident.
For me, mentoring is not so much about education, although it is part of it. There is very much an allowing of my colleagues to find their own way with their practice, their own rhythm and pace. I work with a team of amazing nurses and I want them to see what I see about them. Not just their skill base but who they are as a complete package – for this package is what is delivered to our clients or patient’s day in and day out.
With this, offering mentoring to nursing colleagues is no longer an option or a consideration but something I whole-heartedly embrace. I see mentoring and being mentored as an important foundation to our practice as nurses to assist us to grow as nurses, grow our confidence in our practice, grow our relationships as nurses and enrich what nursing is as a whole.
