Nancy Claflin, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CCRN-K, CPHQ, FNAHQ

NOVA’s Empower Mentorship Program is designed to guide a mutual relationship between an experienced VA nurse, a mentor, and a nurse who may be entirely new to the VA system, or transitioning into a new role. It is a framework for the passage of wisdom, caring, and confidence between the mentee and experienced VA nurses. The program is based on principles of adult learning with a focus on meeting the needs of the mentee.  The ultimate goal of this mentoring program is to contribute to the personal and professional development of VA nurses through relationships that are nurturing and supportive.

Mentoring is a reciprocal and collaborative learning relationship between two individuals with mutual goals and shared accountability for the success of the relationship. The mentor often serves as an expert guide to the mentee, allowing them to gain more experience in a VA nurse position. A good fit between a mentor and mentee occurs when mentors are both genuine and willing to disclose information about themselves and their experience. Mentees need to be open to accepting feedback and willing to learn more about themselves and their expected role.   

This relationship involves the mentee as an adult learner engaged in a life experience that presents new opportunities for growth and development. The quality of this partnership determines the true value of the learning experience. As adult learners, mentees assume responsibility for their learning and behaviors. As teachers, mentors act as guides and facilitators of learning. The partnership must be based on the belief that the learner is at the center of any significant adult learning activity. Learners must be involved in all phases of the learning process, which includes identifying needs, planning, participation, and evaluating the learning outcome. As facilitators of adult learning, mentoring is approached as a development sequence, requiring an awareness of the mentees’ learning needs and their stages on the learning curve.  In considering mentees as unique adult learners, mentors must be willing to make adjustments based on the mentees’ maturity and learning style. Effective mentoring becomes a continuous learning process that is a synthesis of events, experiences, observations, feedback, and analyses.

A successful mentorship requires willingness and skill in giving and receiving feedback. This is important for both the mentor and the mentee since one of the greatest learning opportunities occurs through the critique we give to and receive from others.  Both individuals must offer constructive feedback, positive and negative, to assure that common needs and goals are being met. They need to know how the other is doing in the relationship to determine their future direction. It is most helpful the mentor and mentee agree on how to give each other feedback earlier in the relationship.

Mentoring doesn’t just happen. It involves a significant expenditure of time and energy from both the mentor and the mentee. Successful mentees are willing to assume responsibility for their learning and growth by seeking challenging assignments and opportunities. While they are receptive to feedback and coaching by the mentor, they also are willing to constructively give feedback.  If they are not receiving the feedback they need or desire, mentees must assert themselves and ask for it. The demonstration of accountability, or living up to promises and commitments, is important. Mentees learn to achieve a balance between their independence and reliance on the mentor. After spending time with a mentor, mentees often feel refueled and inspired to make a difference in their practice.

Mentors are willing and committed to assisting in the developmental growth of the mentee. This involves a reasonable amount of time and personal investment over an extended period. The time invested is well spent for both individuals and the VA as a whole. The mentor’s primary purpose is to help the mentee learn the ropes, their role, the political environment, and the culture of the VA in a formal, yet informal way. Frequent communication offering affirmation and support will help the mentee progress through the mentoring relationship. Mentors are the guides in establishing the criteria by which a successful relationship is developed and evaluated.  They create a warm and accepting environment that allows the mentees to control the relationship, while at the same time permitting the mentees to be themselves and voice relevant concerns and needs.  Mentors are personable, approachable, competent individuals who are committed to helping mentees achieve their success. 

If you are a new nurse, a nurse who is new to the VA system, a nurse who is transitioning to a new role in the VA system, or a nurse who would like help in professional development and achieving professional goals, fill out an application to request a mentor.  If you have worked in the VA for a year or more, know things now that you wished somebody had told you when you first started in the VA, like helping people, want to enrich your time in VA, want to help people navigate the sometimes confusing routes to career development in the VA, want to answer questions from VA nurses who would like help with a situation they’re encountering at work, want to help VA nurses start a NOVA chapter or make a NOVA chapter better, or want to make a difference, fill out an application to be a mentor. 

NOVA’s Mentorship program is designed to help you meet your professional goals.  NOVA members can take advantage of this program to pursue their goals related to professional advancement within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program helps new NOVA members to connect with more seasoned members to benefit from their expertise and experience. It can provide mentees with specific assistance related to current needs and can help seasoned NOVA members not only serve as both mentors and resources. This can help meet requirements for advancement related to proficiency, education, evidence-based practice, and research, as well as professional development.  NOVA chapters can benefit from mentoring regarding chapter development and potential programs.  The Mentorship Program offers additional support for NOVA members providing excellent care to Veterans and family members.

Find information on NOVA’s Mentorship Program at this link: https://www.vanurse.org/page/Mentorship