Blog by: Melanie T. Gura, RN, MSN, CNS, CCDS, FHRS, FAHA, AACC
Director, Pacemaker & Arrhythmia Services
Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists
Summa Cardiovascular Institute
Summa Health System

Nurses are traditionally viewed as a caring group. We care for patients, their families, friends, and our communities. However, we must also care for each other, our fellow nurses and colleagues.

Those new to our specialty require guidance, encouragement, and mentoring. Those of us who have more experience must come to believe that mentoring is our professional responsibility, as well as an opportunity for growth. In order for us to go forward as a flourishing profession, each of us will need to play the role of both mentor and mentee throughout our professional careers.

Mentoring involves relationships that are reciprocal in nature. These relationships are a rich source of personal and professional growth. As a mentor or role model, you will teach, empower and inspire others. As a mentee or student, you will find someone in whom to confide, learn from, and receive support while advancing professionally.

Mentoring will serve us all well. We must value what we do and foster a sense of well-being in those new to our specialty. This all translates into better quality care for our patients.

Nurses have the ability to set an example of excellence, both in high standards of professional behavior and high quality nursing skills. Mentoring is our professional responsibility, and through the give-and-take of these mentoring relationships, we will develop additional expertise, which will also enhance the level of care we provide our patients.

We must be willing to mentor others because mentoring is a win-win opportunity. This dynamic, collaborative process will allow us to develop a sense of professional pride and place value on lifelong learning, in addition to improving the care we deliver to our patients.

Melanie Gura, RN, MSN, CNS, CCDS, FHRS, FAHA, AACC is the Director of Pacemaker & Arrhythmia Services at Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists in Akron, Ohio.