LEADERSHIP ROLE OF MENTORS

Leadership role of Mentors

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion4

Contemporary Trends in the Nursing Mentors: Educational Perspective4

Co Mentoring & Peer Mentoring5

Educational Leadership Qualities of Mentors6

Mentor Roles7

Mentors: Leadership role in Academics8

Mentors: Leadership role in Clinical Setting10

Early Career Mentors10

Mid Career Mentors11

Late Career Mentor Roles12

Team- Work Skills13

Conclusion14

High Quality Learning Environment14

References15

Leadership role of Mentors

Introduction

Mentoring is the complex art, through which the experienced and wise professionals are able to share the task related knowledge with the inexperienced staff, so as to enhance their capabilities and job related skills. The process of mentoring is not only limited to a single field or industry, where it has been used by various societies and powerful institutions in the past. The role of a mentor is very important in the overall success of any enterprise, as it ensures that the relevant skills are transferred though out the workforce (Glen, 2002, pp. 392). The term mentor has a deep connection with the concept of a leader, because similar to the leader the mentor must develop the skills of the people he is responsible for, and lead them towards a specific objective (Aston & Hallam, 2011, pp. 201). The historical roots of the term mentor come from the ancient Greek mythology, where King Odysseus entrust his moist experienced and knowledgeable friend named 'Mentor' to protect and guide his son. The king entrusted the most capable person to ensure the development of his son, so that if he is harmed in the Trojan War, his son could develop the necessary leadership skills, and one day be capable of assuming the role his throne. This mythology clearly depicts the leadership attributes of a mentor, and how important this role is in any environmental setting.

In the context of the field of nursing the role of a mentor is essential. An analysis of the health care industry would suggest that the influential people such as Florence Nigthingale were the pioneers of the mentor roles in the field. Nightingale represented a leader and teacher like role for the rest of the nurses, and provided the latest and the essential task related knowledge to the staff. History shows that Nightingale had a mentor oriented relationship with Rachel William, who was a matron of St. Mary's hospital in Paddington England. Mentoring is a specialized form of leadership where the inexperienced staff is presented with the appropriate help and guidance. The learning nurses have to form an intimate relationship with their mentors, as they have to rely on this relation to alleviate the majority of their dilemmas. Mentoring is in essence a leadership strategy, which has been utilized by hospitals and the health care centers for an extended period of time (Bastable & Bastable, 1997, pp. 271). Since the mentors have the responsibility to care and guide the inexperienced and new nurses towards reaching their professional goals, they must consist of the adequate knowledge and skills themselves.

If the mentors do not have the necessary technical and job related skills they will not be able to fulfill their leadership oriented ...