Mentoring is the process in which a less experienced professional gains wisdom and expertise from the more experienced colleague or associate. A new graduate, a staff nurse seeking an administrative role, a graduate student connecting with researchers, and a new educator expanding into academics, all seek a more knowledgeable peer to coach them personally and professionally. The relationship is conscious and purposeful. The mentee or neophyte receives advice, instruction, guidance, and assistance through significant points in their career (Grossman & Valiga, 2009).
Mentoring is much like discipleship that fosters spiritual growth. The disciple relationship can be facilitated through a church program whereby a more mature spiritual believer is matched with a new or growing Christian. Another aspect can be when a mature Christian looks to gain specific development or leadership skills through the guidance of another, more experienced Christian. An example is a Christian who wants to teach or facilitate Bible studies or go on a mission trip.
Walking Together on a Journey of Faith
Underlying discipleship is the need for followers of Christ to purposely come alongside one another and walk together on a journey of faith. The gaining of wisdom, knowledge, and skills occurs through an intentional relationship rooted in interaction, Bible study, and prayer.
The journey of faith in professional nursing can combine discipleship and mentorship. Christian nursing mentorship focuses on both faith and professional development. As in mentoring, the Christian nurse mentor commits himself or herself to helping the neophyte develop a clear professional identity through fostering growth both personally and professionally, supporting and facilitating the realization of dreams, and acting as an energizer and a sounding board (Grossman & Valiga, 2009).
Mentorship integrated with discipleship occurs through a caring relationship of interaction and commitment. Throughout his letters to the early Christian churches, the apostle Paul mentored, discipled, and at times even parented the 1st Century believers. An example is his relationship with the converts in Thessalonica, whom he describes as “becoming dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8). Paul, through time and toil, developed a close relationship with these emerging believers. He spoke the truth as he helped the believers integrate faith and life, encouraging them to live lives worthy of God's calling (1 Thessalonians 2:12).
Sharing Our Lives
Mentorship is more than sharing professional knowledge and experience, there also is the importance of sharing our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Sharing one's faith story of how God is orchestrating our career through personal challenges, disappointments, and/or failures is one way the mentee can gain professional insight from his or her mentor. Wisdom and expertise comes in how our faith is challenged as we live it out personally and professionally. Mentorship coupled with discipleship takes an authentic commitment from both the mentor and the mentee, with fellowship, God's Word in the Bible, and prayer girding the process and the relationship.
Tips for Mentors:
- Pray for God to point you to a nurse who wants and needs mentoring.
- Network with budding professionals.
- Connect at work with new grads, as well as at conferences, continuing education classes, and with students coming to your facility.
- Expect to make a commitment to a mentee and to hold conversations in confidence.
- Listen well.
Tips for Mentees:
- Pray for God to cause your path to intersect with that of a mentor he desires for you.
- Ask! Consider your professional plan or options, then connect with nurses, administrators, researchers, or educators who represent your potential career goal.
- Keep commitments made with your mentor—honor their time and investment in you by showing up and investing fully in the mentor relationship.
Resources
This article originally appeared in the Journal of Christian Nursing, April/June 2013, written by Carrie M. Dameron, MSN, RN-BC, an advanced certified medical–surgical nurse and an assistant professor of nursing.
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