How to Find and Benefit from a Nurse Mentor

Did you know having a nurse mentor can be the key to advancing your nursing career and staying passionate about the profession? Whether you’re starting out or looking to grow, mentorship has proven to boost confidence, communication, and decision-making.

The benefits of having a nurse mentor have shown to be greatest when the relationship lasts between 1 and two years.  Here are the promising stats from one nurse mentorship program focused on new grads:  

• Up to 70% of participants reported that having a nurse mentor positively and heavily impacted their decision to stay in nursing.

• Over 84% of mentored nurses agreed that mentorship in nursing highly improved their self-confidence and problem-solving abilities as nurses. 

• Up to 75% reported that nurse mentorship heavily helped their professional communication skills. 

• And 93% of nurses reported that having a nurse mentor significantly eased their transition to nursing practice. 

Whether you’re just starting as a new grad or an experienced nurse looking to expand your skills, finding a nurse mentor can make all the difference -let’s dive into the hows and whys of nurse mentorship and get you on track to achieving success, satisfaction, and longevity in your nursing career. 

In this post, we’ll highlight the benefits of a nurse mentor, share tips to help you find the right mentor, and explore some excellent options available for nurses today. 

 What Is a Nurse Mentor?

A nurse mentor is a skilled and experienced nurse who provides support, guidance, and advice to a less experienced nurse, or mentee. This relationship plays a vital role in helping new nurses navigate the complexities of healthcare and nursing– which allows for a huge boost (or bolus😉) of growth, development, and real-world skill, both professionally and personally.

There are generally two kinds of nurse mentorship: 

• Informal Mentorship: This type of nurse mentorship often develops naturally through working relationships. Think of the nurse who is your go-to for questions, problems, support, or more. They seem to effortlessly know how to handle or fix any situation, and you likely breathe a sigh of relief when you see their name on the staffing sheet. They are likely an informal mentor for you and many others.  

  
  

• Formal Mentorship: Other nursing mentorships occur as a part of a formal or more structured program. These nurse mentorship programs may have specific goals and guidelines and are typically set up by hospitals, nursing organizations, or other professional platforms. They use a more intentional versus chance approach to match nurse mentors with mentees.  If you’re paired with a more senior nurse during your onboarding or nurse residency program, this is a formal mentorship. 

While the approach may differ, either type of mentorship can greatly impact your career. Whether you are looking for guidance through a structured program or an organic relationship, the goal is the same: to learn, grow, and thrive in your nursing career. 

Key Benefits of Mentorship in Nursing

Mentorship benefits don’t stop at the mentee—mentors often report higher satisfaction levels, too. Plus, the relationship goes beyond just guidance: it’s about growth, trust, and mutual respect.

Career Guidance and Support

One of the greatest benefits of mentoring in nursing is the experience and guidance that a mentor provides regarding career development. A mentor can help guide you to pursue career opportunities, encourage you to explore different specialties, and help navigate your next steps in the nursing profession. 

They have loads of invaluable advice from years of real-life experience in the profession– and learning from their experience can put you on the fast track to career success. Mentors help you make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and can tell you what has really worked for them. Mentors can offer a wise perspective into the pros and cons of the many career decisions you will likely make. 

Skills Development and Confidence Building

Knowledge and skill development are two of the most valuable mentorship benefits and are hugely satisfying for new nurses. Nursing requires an amazingly diverse set of clinical and non-clinical skills– and a mentor can help you with all of it. Where are you looking to grow?

• Do you want to master complex procedures and develop your technical skills? Think IVs, lab draws, foleys, and more. 

  
  

• Are you seeking to become more confident in your ability to take high-acuity patients and solidify your critical thinking and judgment?

  
  

• Do you see yourself moving into a new role, such as learning the trauma room in the ED, taking on CRRT as an ICU nurse, or changing specialties?

  
  

• Or, do you want to hone your leadership skills and become the charge nurse everyone looks up to?

A mentor can help you grow in all of these areas. They can observe your practice and offer constructive feedback, which will help you refine your skills and clinical judgment. Networking Opportunities in Nursing

Strong networks are vital in any profession, and nursing is no exception! A mentor can introduce you to important individuals within your organization– think influential colleagues and key leaders in your workplace or organization. Networking opportunities are invaluable in terms of advancing your career. Oftentimes, who you know can be equally important to what you know. 

💡 Nurse mentors have worked in the field for years, and they have likely developed a keen ability to connect with those around them. Lean on your mentor to learn how to build relationships that open doors for you!

Emotional and Professional Support During Challenging Times

You know that nursing is mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing. We’re talking critical situations, difficult patients, the challenges of shift work, plus moral distress and burnout. Having a mentor by your side makes challenging situations more manageable. (Just think– would you rather handle a GI bleed alone or with a few trusted coworkers to back you up?💩) 

Nurse mentors have valuable advice on managing stress, navigating difficult situations, and keeping your passion for patient care, even through the hardest moments. Constant challenges and high pressure are the norm in nursing, and having a solid source of emotional support is crucial.

How to Find a Nurse Mentor 

Ready to find a nurse mentor? The benefits of a nurse mentor are as palpable as a bounding pulse… let’s get started! Here are our top tips for identifying and connecting with a mentor: 

• Leverage Your Network

  • The best place to start your search for a nurse mentor is within your own network. Think of trusted and experienced coworkers, supervisors, or leaders you have met on the floor. A nurse mentor doesn’t need to be in a leadership role– but they should be someone with experience that you can trust to provide a solid perspective and advice. 

  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to those you look up to or admire and ask if they are open to being a mentor. Remember, the benefits of mentoring extend to the person doing the mentoring as well– and experienced nurses may often look forward to being able to help a hardworking and motivated nurse succeed. 

    
    

• Join Formal Mentorship Programs

  • If you are looking for a formal program that pairs a novice or new nurse with an experienced mentor, there are plenty to choose from. These programs may include a structured approach with specified goals and timeliness.  

  • Check out the American Nurses Association (ANA) Mentoring Program. Many programs are available, including clinical practice, leadership skills, and professional development. Additionally, look into whether your own hospital or healthcare facility has an internal mentorship program– organizations are seeing the benefits of mentorship, too! 

    
    

• Use Professional Platforms

  • Online platforms like LinkedIn are valuable resources for finding and connecting with a mentor. LinkedIn is a great place to meet nurses in different specialties and locations. Many nurses on LinkedIn are open to mentoring through an informal chat or regular virtual meetings. 

  • Online nurse communities, such as the Rubie community, can also help. Rubie is an exclusive professional nursing network– and is the first nursing community built to help you connect, grow, and succeed as a nurse. Rubie offers opportunities both online and in real-life connections. 

    
    

• Ask The Right Questions

  • Once you’ve identified a potential mentor, it's essential to have an honest, open, and respectful conversation about what you are looking for. Here are some important questions to ask:  

    • What is your experience in the area that I am interested in? 

    • How do you think I can improve my skills?

    • What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? 

    • Are you interested in being a mentor? 

  • These questions will help spark conversation to help you both determine if your goals align and if this relationship will be a good fit.

    
    

• Dos and Don’t of Reaching Out

  • DO be clear about your goals: Be honest with potential nurse mentors about what you are looking for, why you are seeking guidance, and what you are hoping to achieve through mentorship. 

  • DO Be respectful: All nurses are busy and may not have the time or bandwidth to be a nurse mentor to someone else. Some nurses may love mentoring, and others have no interest in it– and that’s fine, too. Always communicate with gratitude and professionalism.  

  • DON’T pressure them: If a potential nurse mentor isn’t available or interested in mentoring you, don’t take it personally, and don’t continue to try and convince them. A willing mentor makes the best mentor, and there will always be other potential mentors to connect with. 

  • DON’T forget to follow up: If a nurse mentor is open to meeting with you, make sure to be respectful of their time. Meet and follow up with them regularly to talk about what you are experiencing and keep the mentor-mentee relationship alive!    

Existing Nurse Mentorship Programs and Resources

Here are some of the most popular mentorship programs and resources available for nurses: 

• American Nurses’s Association (ANA) Mentorship Program: The ANA’s Mentorship Program offers a formal structure pairing more experienced nurses with those who are just starting out. This program is completely virtual, and you will need to join the ANA to begin. 

  
  

• Local Hospital or Health System Mentorship Programs: As the benefits of mentorship become more widely recognized, many health systems are beginning to offer them. Check with your employer, and here are a few examples: 

  • Stanford Healthcare’s Nurse Mentorship Program

  • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Nurse Mentorship Program

  • John’s Hopkins Mentorship Program for Nurse Leaders

  • Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association’s Nurse Mentor Program

    
    

• Online Platforms for Healthcare Professionals: Online platforms like Rubie are designed to help nurses like you connect, network, and have fun, too! Rubie offers valuable online and in-person support for your career development, job search, mentorship opportunities, and other support. We also love relatable nurse humor, much-needed venting sessions, and enjoy a good poop joke or meme, too! Wherever you are looking for, we’ve got it! 🫶

Nurse Mentorship- Unlock Your Full Potential 

In the world of nursing, mentorship is a powerful tool that can be used to put you on the fast track to personal and professional growth. Whether you are a new nurse or an experienced nurse looking to uplevel your career, the benefits of a nurse mentor are clear. A solid nurse mentor can provide the support, guidance, and confidence you need to thrive. 

 If you are ready to take the next step in your career, begin by checking out the mentorship resources available and reaching out to potential mentors. The relationship you form with your mentor is powerful and will keep you on track– during the most rewarding and challenging moments of your extraordinary career. 

Ready? Let’s Go! The Rubie community is a great place to start your search for a mentor, or become a mentor to someone who needs one. Mentoring in nursing really works– let’s work together to create a stronger, healthier, and more supportive future!