Evidence Based Practice in Mentoring
It is important to have a mentor that provides evidence-based practice when training new nurses, procedures or teaching new EBP information. Evidence-based practice is widely appraised, accepted and recommended by many professionals in the practice as the one with scientifically proven evidence for delivering quality health care (sigma theta tau international, 2007). It is believed that a mentor that provides evidence-based practice increases the chances of developing stronger beliefs and greater implementation of effective practice by the students being mentored.
The senior that mentors on the basis of evidence-based practice will only be in a position to transfer the knowledge and skills for that model, which means that the student will learn from a scientifically proven model. The relationship between the two promotes the production, distribution, and adoption of the evidence based practice, in ways that promote effectiveness in the nursing practice and facilitate the development of a stronger relationship.
A mentor is very important in the nursing practice as they enable the students to make sense of the practice through the application of theory, assessment, evaluation, and constructive feedback, facilitating reflection on practice, and performance experiences. Mentoring provides socialization experiences to the learners that help them see the bigger picture, help them in finding resources and generally their growth in the field.
Mentors are positive role models to their students because whatever they will guide the student through is based on knowledge, skills, and effectiveness they have acquired over time. The mentors share their knowledge in patient care and are in a position to help the students develop skills and confidence through appropriate levels of supervision, offering assistance with planned learning experiences, providing honest and constructive feedback while offering suggestions on ways that aid in making improvements to enhance progress and promoting the professional relationship with the students (Halfer et al., 2008). Ultimately, learning from a more experienced person who backs their ideas with the evidence based practice will enable the new nurses to reflect on the practices that work and those that don’t.
References
Halfer, D., Graf, E., & Sullivan, C. (2008). The organizational impact of a new graduate pediatric nurse mentoring program.Nursing Economics, 26(4), 243-9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/236940375?accountid=45049
Zynx health and honor society of nursing, sigma theta tau international, enter strategic evidence-based nursing partnership. (2007, Oct 30). Business Wire Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/444893191?accountid=45049