Effective Mentor

This module has given me a real insight into how to be a good and effective mentor. There are many areas involved in becoming a good mentor.
At the start of this module I studied the snakes and ladder model to mentorship. This emphasised the importance of assisting students climb the ladders and let letting them slip down the snake. There are many qualities you need to have, in order to becoming a good mentor. I have learnt that if you lack in just one of these qualities, the student you are mentoring can easily slip down the ladder.
In my portfolio I have added a mind map showing the qualities I feel you must possess in order to help students climb the ladder.
There is an importance to mentor as an ambassador, we need to have the ability
So introducing them to colleagues, engaging them in conversations and showing them around areas we use will give them the sense of being part of a team and build up a rapport with staff members.
In order to be able to assist the student, as mentors we need to be up to date on skills, procedures and equipment. Failure to do this, will be giving the student a disservice and can lead to poor patient care and dangerous practise. As per the HCPC’S standards of professional development we must be up to date with CPD’S, seek to ensure the our CPD has contributed to quality of our practise and service delivery.
Mentors need to have the knowledge and information regarding students programme. This will include keeping up to date with the student’s progression and their competencies at the time. With this we will be able to identify learning opportunities for students in practise and assist in outcomes achieved.
I have learnt that time must be found to provide reflection, offer constructive feedback and monitor the student’s progression through their programme. During this time, discussion of areas of weakness, look to build on learning opportunities and discuss options to help overcome
Improving this will assist me in improving patient care, assisting colleagues and peers in their journeys.
This module of mentorship and leadership has really helped me improve my skills and knowledge about how to be a good and effective mentor/leader. Mentorship is vital to assist and support staff of their chosen career paths. Early contact with your student will really assist you in getting to know their needs and learning methods. We need to be friendly, approachable, open and honest, calm, knowledgeable, adaptable, energised and a lifelong learner. We must build a good working relationship with the student and gain trust between ourselves. Be pro-active, professional and someone to aspire to.
There are ways different ways and means to be a good and effective mentor. It’s a life-long process in which we learn from day to day and from experiences. This module has given me an excellent start in becoming a mentor and something I am going to carry on learning from day to day. As being a mentor are common goal is to help and support students climb the ladder to reach the