Empowering the New Empowering the New Chapter Board Chapter Board

Member:Member: The Benefits and The Benefits and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Eugenia (Gena) Welch, BSN, RN, CCRNClinical Educator

Presbyterian Hospital of DallasDallas, Texas

Damon Cottrell, MS, RN, CCNS, CCRN, APRN-BC, CENClinical Nurse Specialist

Providence St. Vincent Medical CenterPortland, Oregon

Class Code 216, Page 353

• Objectives– Describe the characteristics of a

successful mentoring relationship and the subsequent responsibilities as it relates to the chapter board

– Describe the characteristics of a mentoring relationship and the importance of a mentor

– Explore the real life example of a mentor and the mentee

A wise man learns from the experiences of others. An ordinary man learns by his

own experience. A fool learns by nobody’s experience.

Unknown

A lot of people have gone further than they thought

they could because someone else thought they

could.Unknown

Why Mentoring?

• Mentoring relationships play a major role in the succession of leadership in a profession– A Dallas County Chapter legacy– Meets chapter needs by instilling new

people, ideas and leadership

Why Mentoring?• An effective teaching method for the

adult learner– Focus on activities of the chapter

• Educational events/seminars• Budget• Membership• Communication

– Implementation of creative roles• Vision Partner

– Facilitation of current roles• President-Elect and President relationship

Why Mentoring?

• Often builds long-lasting relationships of two-way learning– Provides ongoing consultation, even

after the mentee has achieved a leadership role

– Shares ideas between both parties– Often branches into other aspects of

mentoring outside chapter activities, even outside AACN activities

Mentoring Defined

• An individual with experience and position who provides information, advice and emotional support to another– Focus/Goal dependent upon mentor/mentee

agreement– This relationship lasts for an extended

period of time with an emotional commitment by both parties

Mentoring Defined

• Mentoring transcends teaching, knowledge or skills

• Mentoring is multifaceted, and encompasses the development and nurturing of an individual in order to promote professional growth

There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no

excuses; only results. Kenneth Blanchard

Choosing a Mentor•A mentor is a professional

others want to emulate–May be chosen for a particular goal or overall need

–More often than not, mentors are selected by the mentee

Choosing a Mentee•A mentee is one of great

potential•When approached

–Questions to ask yourself:•Do I have enough time to be fully committed to a mentor/mentee relationship?

•Do I have the qualities/skills needed to fully support/teach this potential mentee?

Choosing a Mentee•When seeking a mentee

–Questions to ask yourself:•Does this person appear to have the motivation, time and potential?

•Do my skills/qualities match with current or upcoming chapter needs?

Accept me as I am, so I may learn what I may

become.

Unknown

Mentor Characteristics

• Patience• Enthusiasm • Knowledge• Sense of humor• Respect• Advocate

Mentor Characteristics

• Willing to share work/chapter experiences• Meet regularly with mentee• Guides mentee, does not control• Active listening• Honest, direct and timely feedback• Empowers mentee to advance their

professional development• Committed to the relationship

In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out and is then burst into flame

by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those

people who rekindle the inner spirit.

Albert Schweitzer

Mentee Characteristics

• Takes responsibility for his/her development

• Arranges meetings and sets agendas• Has a personal goal• Requests honest feedback• Open minded• Committed to the relationship

Problems in Mentoring Relationships

• Problems with criticism, even if “constructive”

• Problems with advice• Problems with rescuing

Be like a postage stamp. Stick to something until you get

there.

Josh Billings

Problems in Mentoring Relationships

• Commitment• Serious differences of

opinion• Clearly opposite ideas• Impact of fundamentally

different interpersonal styles

Integrity

•Honest communication•Admit mistakes•Humanity•Humility

Mentor Responsibilities• Relationship – Trust• Information – Advice• Facilitation – Alternatives

Mentor Responsibilities

• Confrontative – Challenge• Mentor Model – Motivation• Vision – Initiative

If you treat a person as she appears to be, you make her worse than she is. But, if you

treat a person as if she already were what she potentially could

be, you make her what she should be.

Goethe

Mentee Responsibilities

• Communicating expectations, needs and feelings

• Developing a trust relationship and share concerns

• Negotiating activities to obtain goals

Mentee Responsibilities

• Embracing learning and exploration with enthusiasm

• Be willing to accept “constructive criticism” and provide feedback

• Trying to implement mentor suggestions• Courage

Mentor Tips for Success

• Know that effective mentoring requires commitment, time and skill

• Think about what you have to offer• Make yourself accessible to the

mentee• Be sensitive to mentee needs• Be a role model, the primary

objective is to assist in achieving excellence

Great people talk about ideas; average people talk about

things; small people talk about other people.

L. A. Burns

Mentee Strategies for Success

• Tell your mentor how he/she can be of most help to you

• Work hard at being a good mentee, and a good new board member

• Follow through on decisions and commitments

• Keep appointments that are agreed upon

• Communicate with your mentor before a concern becomes a problem

Ending the Mentoring Relationship?

• Does it have to end?• When the mentee

has reached the mentor-related goals

• Often becomes less structured and as needed– Long-distance

mentoring

Take time to think, it is the source of power; take time to

play, it is the source of perpetual youth; take time to

laugh, it is the music of the soul; take time to love and be loved… it is the greatest privilege of life.

Unknown