Life's puzzles often lead me to my jewelry box to gaze at the gold knotted pin, a bequest from my first mentor and a symbol of her enriching mentorship. I was the first graduate from a 4-year nursing program that Ms H. appointed to the nursing staff of a psychiatric research institute decades ago. She was intrigued with the possibilities of more university-prepared nurses on the staff, with what they might contribute. During my initial interview, Ms H. asked whether I was concerned about not having the "requisite" 1 year of medical-surgical nursing experience. My response was direct, "I will never work in an acute care setting-psychiatric nursing is my field." She smiled wryly and not only hired me but also supported, challenged, and advised. At the end of my first year as a staff nurse, Ms H. encouraged me to apply for admission to earn an MSN in Psychiatric Nursing, which I completed in 1 year. She adjusted my work schedule to accommodate school. After graduation, she promoted me to a staff development position, with the focus on "teaching psychiatric aides how to better care for patients," and introduced me to a network of her colleagues who could assist me in this new venture. I developed one of the first programs in the city for psychiatric aides and care improved and I went on to refine the program in other settings. The most important aspect of this mentor-mentee relationship was that Ms H. made me think about what it meant to be a nurse and how that meaning could improve the care of patients and families. I cannot imagine how my career might have evolved without the mentorship of Ms H.
The American Psychological Association extols the lifelong benefits of mentoring; mentees perform better, are more satisfied with their educational experiences, and are more likely to benefit from the "open doors" that networking with the mentor's colleagues provides.1
A mentor-mentee relationship goes beyond the usual teacher-student, or advisor-advisee, relationship. Ms H. did not teach specifics; she posed leading questions that got me to think things through. She did not advise; she helped me entertain a variety of perspectives. She did not criticize; she provided honest, gentle feedback that often guided me to change course. Finally, she was a role model for boundary issues-never violating the mentor-mentee relationship as it evolved over time. After she retired and I moved on, we stayed connected, particularly around my career development issues. Ms H. was a true mentor-a senior nurse who got me to "think" about my career expansively and differently and who became a valuable role model for my own mentoring activities. Mentoring is crucial to the future of the nursing professions-find one or be one!
-Gloria F. Donnelly, PhD, RN, FAAN, FCPP
Editor in Chief
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