Who is a mentor?
A mentor is an experienced and thoughtful leader who is committed to investing one’s time to assist in the growth and development of others. The mentor is willing to share their knowledge, experience, and wisdom and act as a guide and role model.
A mentor supports and encourages the professional development of the mentee and provides active guidance to help them achieve their goals. The mentor offers a fresh perspective and an independent point of view, while guiding a process that fosters the growth and educational development of the mentee.
What Does a Mentor Do?
As an experienced graduate student, mentors will have the opportunity to guide the development of incoming students who have been accepted into the Faculty of Nursing graduate programs.
Acknowledging that each mentoring relationship is unique, the mentor will:
Help build rapport each time he or she meets with a mentee
Ask open-ended “how” and “what” questions with a mentee
Challenge and/or encourage a mentee depending on what the situation requires
Offer opportunities to problem solve and exchange ideas
Provide feedback that is honest, open and positive
Take a genuine interest in helping the mentee succeed
Present opportunities to the mentee may not have recognized on his/her own
Provide suggestions to the best of one’s knowledge that help the mentee reach their goals
Benefits to Mentors
Providing mentorship is an opportunity to build leadership and management skills
Providing mentorship can offer lasting career networks
Mentorship can provide mentors the satisfaction of sharing their own personal wisdom with others
Mentorship can provide a reciprocal learning relationship. You may learn just as much from your mentee as your mentee will learn from you!
Mentorship offers an opportunity to enhance your personal CV and become involved within the Faculty of Nursing
Providing mentorship offers the mentor an opportunity to reflect upon their own journey through academia and professional experiences
Mentorship can lead to the development of lifelong friendships
Expectations of Mentors
A commitment to the importance of the mentoring relationship and a willingness to treat it as a priority
A minimum investment of 1 meetings per academic semester (Fall and Winter)
A commitment to regular communications and interactions, agreed upon in advance
Maintaining confidentiality and terms outlined in the mentorship agreement
Willingness to participate in any evaluations of the mentorship program
A commitment to positivity and encouragement throughout the mentorship process
An understanding that the mentorship relationship is not a tutoring service, however if the mentee needs support with practical work, the mentor can help the mentee find a tutor
Will contact the Mentor Us leadership team if the match is not appropriate or if the mentor is unable to reach the mentee
Considerations
Boundaries for Mentors and Mentees:
The mentoring relationship should be always considered a professional relationship.
The Mentor is not to provide counselling to the Mentee regarding their mental or physical health. Please see our resource page for links to appropriate services that you may provide to your Mentee.
Mentors are not to provide financial counselling to Mentees. Financial Supports are available via the FGSR website.
The Mentor is not allowed to share academic materials that go against the University of Alberta’s Code of Student Behavior.
CREDIT: Adapted from ECO Canada Mentorship Package