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Are global mentors needed to support global nurses?

By Catherine Best posted Tue December 11,2018 06:25 AM

  

As a registered nurse and nurse educationalist I realise the true value of mentors who have helped me to gain personal and professional insight, have empowered me to challenge my firmly held perfectionist traits and ultimately enabled me to become a truly reflective practitioner. 
Mentors can help to expand nursing scholarship. Mentorship provides a unique opportunity to explore and develop positive relationships, work confidently with others and foster links between the art and science of nursing. Quality mentors support the assimilation of learning into professional practice. They are committed to the values and direction of nursing and underpin this through teaching and learning strategies that enable both personal and professional growth.

The changing landscape of healthcare provision has presented significant challenges to a profession that is already under immense pressure. With nursing now being considered a global entity there is a need to understand not only what impact global policies have on healthcare provision, but also the role of the global nurse and global nursing leaders in making change for the better. In a global nursing society do we need global mentors and if so, what does the role look like? 

Each biennium the new president, currently Professor Beth Tigges has a call to action.  The current call asks members to Connect, Collaborate and Catalyse. One way we can do this effectively is through mentorship. Why not take a look at and see how Sigma can help you to achieve your full potential https://www.sigmanursing.org/advance-elevate/careers

Most nurses who are in Sigma will be mentors, but how many of us are considering the prospect of being a mentor in a truly global nursing profession. Within STTI we have the opportunity to support nurses to become nurse leaders and nurse educators who can make a real impact in global nursing. To be a mentor with STTI doesn’t have to be too onerous and having personally witnessed the enthusiasm for nursing in all its forms and across Nationalities at the recent Sigma 4th Biennial European held in Cambridge there is no better time to stand up and make a difference globally.  Don’t forget you can also be a mentee as well as a mentor.

Nursing as a global entity can be an opportunity to reinvigorate the nursing profession and provide the leadership and mentorship to enable effective global nursing to become a reality. At the heart of nursing lies the provision of quality patient care. Fundamental to this is the provision of quality learning, supported by excellent mentorship.

Today nurses must have the skills to achieve their full potential if they are to contribute to a global economy and able to effectively lead on the transformation of both healthcare provision and the educational needs of the workforce. Being a good mentor can help the profession to achieve this.

First, however, perhaps we need to define the term ‘global nursing’ and what it means to be a truly global nurse!

Catherine

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