Mentorship programs for novice nurses

Mentor is defined as a trusted counselor or guide, willing to dedicate his or her career to the advancement of the profession.1 By using the nursing process, a mentor upholds the values and standards of the hospital organi-zation. He or she exemplifies and promotes lifelong learning and is able to demonstrate excel-lent communication and criti-cal thinking skills. A mentor is trusted and respected as a leader in his or her institution for honesty, and this person networks within the com-munity and professional organi-zations. The mentor nurtures and is empathetic to the needs of others and encourages inde-pendence, maturity, and profes-sional growth.