A mentor has been described within the literature as an individual who provides supervision and direction ( Badger , 2014a ). Mentor allocation eases the transition for newly qualified nurses and assists the mentee with the challenges associated with starting a new role in an unfamiliar environment . Although not strictly relevant to newly qualified veterinary nurses , the student – mentor relationship among human nurses has been described as influential in determining the confidence and enthusiasm nurses have at the start of their careers ( Kaihlanen et al ., 2013 ). Mentors also influence how students are able to manage and adapt to unfamiliar challenges ( Kaihlanen et al ., 2013 ). A large number of human nursing studies describe nurses being mentored by other nurses , and it is likely the mentoring process for RVNs will be more successful if their mentor is also an RVN . Within the Nursing Post-Registration Programme , all mentors are RVNs , which is beneficial as the mentoring process is likely to feel more intimidating if being done by a veterinary surgeon who cannot relate to the specific issues that newly qualified RVNs face in practice . Mentoring is , however , a collaborative process , with the success of the programme being influenced by positive interactions with the whole veterinary team .
Qualities of a successful mentee
While having a strong support network in place is a key component of preceptorship programmes , the qualities of the mentee will also influence the success of the programme . These can include :
• Using initiative – do not solely rely on your mentor but work with different nurses in practice to develop your own skills .
• Asking questions – regardless of the level of qualification , this enables you to learn and develop your nursing skills . Questioning clinical decisions if you are unsure of the reasoning behind them also ensures the whole team feels comfortable speaking up and raising concerns .
• Taking control of your own learning , including reaching deadlines set and developing your nursing skills .
• Communicating – this plays a fundamental role in the preceptorship process . It can initially be difficult in a new team but has positive impacts on patient welfare and your own development .
• Being proactive – including replying to emails and asking to work with challenging cases that allow you to develop your skills .
• Showing enthusiasm – this helps you gain the most from the preceptorship experience .
Qualities of a successful mentor
Regular meetings with a mentor enable structured plans to be made regarding progress , and the use of a skills list , similar to those used for student veterinary nurses , aids this process . This makes it clear to the mentee which areas and skills need to be developed . Discussing and noting challenges experienced highlights any recurring issues that may need to be resolved . Planning ahead enables both the mentee and the mentor to understand what actions need to be taken in order to make further progress and can enable the identification of weak areas where the mentee needs to gain further experience to develop their clinical skills .
Consideration of the qualities of the mentor and the mentee is important to ensure the mentee feels comfortable and able to take full advantage of the support a mentor is able to provide . Similar to the relationship between a clinical coach and a student veterinary nurse , communication is a key component for successful mentor allocation . As described by Badger ( 2014b ), the number of years since qualification should not be the main focus when determining whether an individual is suited to the role of mentor . Building this relationship through regular meetings will develop trust . Some key qualities of a mentor include being :
• Approachable – to ensure the mentee feels able to ask questions and raise any concerns , and to develop trust in the relationship .
• Organised – being able to fit the mentor role around their job , despite the difficulties in allocating time when busy in practice .
• Honest – sharing past experiences of challenges and mistakes can help the mentee feel more comfortable in sharing their own concerns .
• Supportive – guiding the mentee to develop their own independence is important , allowing them to use autonomy and also encouraging skills development .
48 Veterinary Nursing Journal