Bringing Mentors’ Experience and Advice to Nursing Practice
The Nursing Professional Development Department has been developing a new initiative,
the Clinical Colleague Nurse Program. Through this program, experienced staff
nurses who enjoy teaching, share their knowledge and learn more about the nature
of mentoring relationships with other nurses. Martha Griffin, RN, said of the
program, “There is a ‘connective and collective wisdom’ that
is gained from the more seasoned nurse that practices at BWH. Prior to the Clinical
Colleague Program there wasn't any conduit for that nursing knowledge to be
shared.”
The program begins with an initial all-day seminar where nurses are provided
with information about professional development and the attributes of a good
mentor. “A clinical colleague, when chosen wisely, possesses not only
a willingness to share his/her knowledge but also understands how nursing practice
develops overtime and how critical good communication and accurate information
is,” she added. During the year, mentors attend short sessions to learn
more about new developments in the field affecting clinical and nursing practice.
As an added benefit, mentors have the professional satisfaction of gaining a
new leadership role and aiding communication within the Nursing Department.
To date, the program has been well received, with approximately 350 nurses participating.