SJC Health Administration Programs: The Mentoring Relationship

Being part of a mentoring relationship can have a positive and long range impact on professional goals and aspirations. For students, mentoring introduces them to the working world that they are studying, and gives realistic and clear views of what an organization or position entails. As a professional, a mentoring relationship furthers goals, enhances relationships and deepens knowledge and critical thinking skills to more than succeed in professional life.

The mentoring relationship is considered a caring, supportive partnership that responds to needs in one person’s life by enhancing growth, knowledge and skills. Mentoring programs not only support and encourage individual professional growth, but can have great benefits for an organization that embraces and promotes a mentoring philosophy.

In healthcare, many organizations seek out formal mentorship programs to provide effective success sharing models that grow committed and valuable leaders. Many professional associations and groups also provide mentorship programs that can be initiated and instituted in hospitals and other organizations. Some of these programs include those designed by The American Nurses Association, The American Health Information Management Association, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

For a mentoring relationship to be effective and successful, consider these tips from both the mentee and the mentor perspective.

For the Mentee:

· Remember that your mentor is a volunteer. While giving time to guide, partner and provide insights, respect their time, and carefully consider their advice.
· Take responsibility to learn: a mentor will provide resources and knowledge. It’s up to the mentee to take advantage of that knowledge.
· Be specific and clear about your goals. This is both being respectful of your mentor’s time, and helps you stay on task to produce lasting results.
· Be flexible, and take risks! Open yourself up to new learning opportunities. Remember, your mentor has the experience and knowledge to allow you to grow.

For the Mentor:

· Be genuinely interested in your mentee. This is probably the most important skill to have as a mentor. Be invested in their success.
· Expect and encourage a specific agenda. Having clear insights into the mentee’s goals will help you set the course for optimum results.
· Encourage problem solving. Don’t just give advice. Encourage your mentor to brainstorm, share, and critically think through situations and problems. Then give them your viewpoint.
· Be a positive role model. Be confident in your relationships with others, model ethical behavior in all decision-making, and just as you encourage them, never be afraid to learn new things, and be open to new opportunities.
In today’s multi-generational and diverse working world there is an urgent need for committed and successful mentoring relationships. Allowing those that seek stronger skills and leadership opportunities from those that have that knowledge and competencies to share is certainly a win-win. Mentoring will build stronger teams and provide better outcomes, no matter what the organization or profession.