Education and training are essential to preparing clinicians for their careers, and mentorship creates opportunities for hands-on experience and knowledge that can elevate job readiness. Through mentorship, healthcare leaders can share their expertise and wisdom with newer clinicians to support their development and lifelong learning.
Christina Bedard, National Clinical Director for Express Healthcare Staffing, emphasizes the importance of mentorship to gain experience that education can’t replicate.
“Mentorship in healthcare goes beyond developing technical skills. It helps new professionals handle complex clinical situations, navigate patient interactions, and manage the stress of the job. A mentor offers real-world insights that textbooks simply can’t.”
Be an Effective Mentor
Mentorship is enriching for mentors and mentees. When you serve as a mentor, you’re dedicating time to invest in a clinician who has the potential to excel. Make the most of the relationship by preparing yourself and planning to maximize efficiency by setting goals with your mentee, asking for their feedback, and not taking the relationship for granted.
A mentor’s characteristics greatly contribute to the quality of the mentoring relationship. Bedard said mentors must have experience and knowledge to provide guidance, empathy to understand their mentee’s challenges, patience to allow time for growth, and strong communication to offer feedback.
Osmosis.org shares characteristics that can define a good mentor:
Mentorship Moments: Learning from Mentors
Mentorship can have a profound impact on a mentee’s career and personal life. Bedard recounts her personal experience of having a mentor who invested in building her skills and supporting her personally.
“In one of my first roles as an RN, I worked with an incredible Charge Nurse, Marie, who consistently assigned me to care for patients nearing the end of life. She taught me how to support both the patients and their families, ensuring comfort and dignity during their transitions. Initially, I felt frustrated, as I seemed to be the only nurse assigned to end-of-life care. Curious about the pattern, I finally asked Marie about her reasoning.
She explained that she knew I was the primary caregiver for my 102-year-old grandmother, who lived with me. Marie’s intention was not only to teach me how to care for hospital patients but also to prepare me for the end-of-life care my grandmother would eventually need. She wanted to ensure I was fully equipped to provide the best care for her when the time came, and to help me feel as comfortable as possible with the process. The time Marie invested in helping me grow as both a nurse and a granddaughter is something I will always cherish and hold close to my heart.” – Christina Bedard, National Clinical Director for Express Healthcare Staffing
Mentorship is a catalyst for lifelong learning, as well as professional and personal growth, for both mentors and mentees. Consider how you can guide newer clinicians through mentorship to transform their careers and meet their goals.
About Express Healthcare Staffing
Express Healthcare Staffing is in the business of people. We support local hospitals, clinics, and long-term facilities with exceptional medical professionals seeking new career opportunities. Through an individual approach to healthcare staffing, we help ensure the right fit for both the facility and the professional. For more information, visit ExpressHealthcare.com.
