Kuldeep Singh knows the positive impact mentoring can have for new nurses and clinical externs.
Kuldeep is an Extern Mentor Coordinator (EMC) at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, and coordinates the onboarding for incoming clinical externs who join our interprofessional care teams while enrolled in nursing school. She also mentors new nurses in the New Graduate Guarantee (NGG) program, a Ministry of Health program that matches nurses with employers and provides nurses with a mentor and increased support in their new nursing role. After one year, participants are guaranteed a position with the employer.
Kuldeep, a registered nurse, says when she was offered the opportunity to become a mentor, she was happy to accept.
“What I love about it is that you bring someone into a personal space and you’re going to advocate and help nurture, coach, shape and guide them to have the best nursing start to their career,” Kuldeep says.
[mks_button size=”large” title=”Read more: Clinical Extern Laura Slipp’s story »” style=”squared” url=”https://health.sunnybrook.ca/featured/the-win-win-model-of-clinical-externships/” target=”_self” bg_color=”#3456a1″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”” icon_type=”” nofollow=”0″]
In her role as a mentor for NGG nurses, Kuldeep and other mentors provide support to registered nurses and registered practical nurses by helping them transition to their role while they gain clinical skills and autonomy.
Since clinical externs are still nursing students, the mentoring process is slightly different. Mentors spend time ensuring externs understand their specific role on the interprofessional health-care team, and supporting them in their learning process.
“What I love about my role as a clinical extern mentor is that I can become a part of their learning journey. Sharing my clinical experiences and all the little tricks I’ve learned that have helped me to adapt to change,” Kuldeep says, adding that’s been especially important during the pandemic. “It makes me smile when I know they feel supported.”
Starting a new career in nursing can be overwhelming, but when experienced nurses provide mentoring, it gives clinical externs and new nurses a safe place to learn. Kuldeep says cultivating a strong relationship between the mentor and extern or new nurse is important for success.
NGG nurses connect with their mentors on a weekly basis, and new nurses can easily reach their mentors with any questions. EMCs will touch base with clinical externs at least a few times per week via text, phone call or visits to the unit.
“This builds a relationship and a trust and shows them we’re here to support you and transition you into your new role,” Kuldeep says.
Kuldeep says Sunnybrook’s mentors are experienced nurses who want to support new nurses and nursing students and help them develop the knowledge, skills and judgement necessary to provide high-quality patient care and be successful in their careers.
“We all want them to succeed,” she says. “Not only does the hospital need nurses, but we need good nurses and one way we can do that is by being there as a mentor.”
[mks_button size=”large” title=”Ashlynn’s story: Learn how new nurses are growing their careers at Sunnybrook »” style=”squared” url=”https://health.sunnybrook.ca/covid-19-coronavirus/ashlynn-journey-becoming-emergency-department-nurse/” target=”_self” bg_color=”#3456a1″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”” icon_type=”” nofollow=”0″]
Grow your nursing career at Sunnybrook!
We’re recruiting nurses at all career stages. Change your career and your life at Sunnybrook.
[mks_button size=”large” title=”Grow your nursing career at Sunnybrook. Apply now »” style=”squared” url=”https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=hiring-registered-nurses” target=”_self” bg_color=”#3456a1″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”” icon_type=”” nofollow=”0″]
