Gibb's Reflection: My Experience As A Co-Mentor

I was tasked to do a reflection on the different obstacles that I have experienced as a co-mentor in my department. I am going to use the Gibb’s reflective cycle which includes different stages of reflection. In this manner, a thorough examination of the experience will determine ways of improving areas with shortcomings (Oxford Brookes University, 2013).

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I have been regarded as a senior staff, thus being allocated to co-mentor new starters. I was briefed by the PDT that my mentee will be working with me in the general surgery cluster after her five-week orientation program. I had a discussion with the mentee along with the main mentor to assess her level of insight in theatre nursing, explore her expectations of the orientation program, set rules and objectives, implement learning strategies and undertake a practice-based assessment at the end of the module. She was given tasks to observe different surgeries, have hands-on training as a scrub nurse, rationalise techniques and to feedback what has transpired at the end of the shift.
I should have allotted more time in planning so that I could be able to see the learning objectives more clearly and precisely. The Scottish Social Services Council (2014) cited that setting up goals and planning how to attain them at the very beginning is crucial for an effective mentorship program. I found out that I need to improve my interpersonal skills as I interacted with my mentees and to effectively manage my time. There were busy shifts and there was little time allotted for learning. Limited time is one of the main barriers in mentorship since it takes away learning opportunities (Myall, M., Levett-Jones, T. and Lathlean, J., 2007). This will help me ensure that my mentoring will be more effective and they will definitely learn and enjoy the