PRESENTATION ON MENTORING FOR

MILITARY NIGHTINGALES

BY GIFTY OFORI
THE NURSING PROFESSION CONT’D:

 Thenursing profession is one that I personally

respect and I have seen nurses at work and I have so
admired them.
INTRODUCTION:

 I am happy to hear the theme of this workshop is:

“The Military Nightingales, Our Future”

 It is such a powerful theme because when we hear the

word military, we are already feeling that there is
some force, some discipline, some momentum, some
strong attitude lurking around.
INTRODUCTION CONT’D:

 And when we add nightingale to it, it makes

the matter sweeter because Florence
Nightingale reflected seriousness, hard work,
sacrifice and fellow-feeling.

 So with the two combined I know that every

participant to this program and else where
has been clothed with some very good
virtues.
THE NURSING PROFESSION

 Thenursing profession is such a noble profession that

mankind needs to uphold in high esteem at all cost.

 Itis the profession that when it is missing, human

beings will be reduced to a pudding in pain and
suffering.

 Nurses have double stamina, because, the frightening

cases they sometimes handle are just wonderful
KUDOS TO NURSES CONT’D:

 Undoubtedly,some people are divinely called to

be nurses and others have joined the nightingale
team for other reasons.

 Those who have been called can be seen from

afar in their work, and those who have joined for
other reasons also can be identified.

 Where do you stand?

 KUDOS TO NURSES CONT’D:
A professor of nursing at the University of Texas
Health Science Center in Houston and a longtime
healthcare executive, Ulrich,spoke with Chief
Healthcare Executive and said the following:

 “Nurses can do anything,” she said.

 “You go follow a nurse and you’ll realize, nurses

can run the world. Give them a little room to move
and a few resources, and nurses can run the world.”
TODAY
Today, it is very clear that the nursing
profession is experiencing some form of
challenges and it goes without saying that, it
now requires extra resilience to stay put in
the profession.

This is why your theme, our nurses our future

is so valid for this workshop.
TODAY CONT’D:

 All of you should be thinking that the future

of our future health hangs on you.

 Your mother, your father, your brothers,

your sister, your friends, etc etc. etc. rests
on you to a large extent.

 What shall we do as a community, a nation

without nurses
TODAY CONT’D:

Let us imagine, one week, Monday to

Friday, without a single nurse in one
hospital – what will the results be?

Your guess is as good as mine. May

that never happen.
NURSES ARE SO IMPORTANT
 Nurses
are such an important part of society. When
we see them we have to stop and salute them.

 When we see them we should run to where ever they

are and say thank you.

 Whenwe see them, we should give half of the monies

we have in our pockets to them. Because they deserve
it.
REWARD IN HEAVEN
Sometimes, I hear people saying that the
nurses reward will be in heaven. Really?

Those who say that - why is it that they

are taking their reward now on earth.

 Is it because they don’t want to go to

heaven?
REWARD IN HEAVEN CONT’D:

Nurses also deserve their rewards on

earth here just like any one.

They deserve to have houses, cars, fat

bank accounts, good living, good
education for their children.

Let everyone come to their assistance.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
I pray that the government and the powers that be,
will turn an eye to todays nurse and give them great
benefits, such as:

 Housing allowance
 Car Allowance
 End of service benefits
 Pension benefits/packages
 Life long free or subsidized medical services
 CARING NURSE
 There is nothing as refreshing and a blessing
than to have a caring nurse by your sick
bedside.

 Itis like having honey drip into your mouth.

And the stories of good nurses will forever be
told by their patients accompanied by
blessings .The reverse is the same.

I have interesting stories about good nurses I

have encountered.
EXODUS
 Today,
it is quiet evident that the nursing profession
has some challenges and this is so true.

 Asa result of the challenges, many nurses are

seeking greener pastures else where.

Ihave spoken to a few nurses and sometimes, I get

afraid of the future of our nursing and the future of
our aged mothers, fathers, etc. etc. because a large
number of them want to exit the country
 EXODUS - THE UPSIDE
Nurses are leaving the country
because they want better living
conditions else where.

They are leaving because they are not

happy in their own home country and
prefer to work for other nationalities.
EXODUS - THE UPSIDE CONT’D:

 The good side of their exodus is that:

 They are well paid somehow.

 Theyare able to remit home very well than

when they are in their home country.

 They are able to accomplish some of their life’s

dreams such as housing, transportation, helping
extended family members, etc.
EXODUS – OFFICIAL REPORT
 Officialreport says that, Over 3,000 Nurses
Left Ghana For Better Conditions Abroad In the
First Quarter of 2022.

 The report says that :Nurses are leaving Ghana

in huge numbers for better conditions in
Europe and America, according to the Ghana
Registered Nurses and Midwives Association
(GRNMA)
EXODUS – OFFICIAL REPORT CONT’D:

 The GRNMA has said over 3,000 of its members

have left Ghana by March 2022 because of poor
salaries and conditions of service.

 The Association says there is a looming crisis and

has urged the authorities to intervene.

O
 EXODUS REPORT CONT’D:
 There will be empty hospitals,” Mr Acquah fears.

 Hesaid the over 3,000 members of the GRNMA that left

Ghana by March 2022 cited better working conditions in
these countries as their motivation.

 Whilestories of Ghanaian nurses leaving Ghana for

greener pastures abroad are not new, the disclosure that
more than 3,000 have left Ghana by March 2022 is
alarming. He continued.
EXODUS REPORT CONT’D:

 The Report says that: Currently, the nurse-to-

patient ratio stands at 1 nurse to 839 patients,
exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO)
recommended nurse-to-patient population.


https://yen.com.gh/ghana/210668-over-3000-nurses-left-ghana-for-better-conditions-a
broad-in-first-quarter-2022-official-fears-looming-crisis
 EXODUS - THE DOWNSIDE

The downside of the exodus is that:

 The environment they work in is difficult and the money

they are paid is not enough in that country but tends to
multiply when it is brought back home here.

 They labour so hard to build houses here, but hardly live

in it until they are weak and frail and brought back to
live in it for a few moment and then die eg.yw tbi .opp
my hse
EXODUS - THE DOWNSIDE CONT’D:

 Their children are at risk of unfavourable

behaviours because of the liberal life over
there.

 How long will you be living like a stranger

in someone’s land?

 Ifyou leave who will take care of your

aged mother, father, etc etc.
 PLEASE LET’S STAY
 This is our country, our home, life out there is very much restricted

 Master degree holders now doing menial jobs

 People are promised heaven, but when they go they soon see that
the situation is different. They don’t speak all the truth.

 Those who leave build their houses for caretakers and relatives who
enjoy the cream of the building.

 Their children if care is not taken, become vagabonds,

NEED FOR MENTORSHIP

 Because of all the above and the challenges

facing us we need to have mentors now more
than ever.

 Weneed Mentors who will be encouragers

and give hope.

 Weneed Mentors, who sometimes will be

coaches taking new ones through processes
NEED FOR MENTORSHIP
 Weneed Mentors who will help produce
happy and excellent nurses.

 We need Mentors who will produce

generational good nurses for now and the
future.

 Weneed Mentors who will make a life long

reputation for themselves and their
generation.
WHAT IS MENTORSHIP?
 Mentorship is a relationship between two
people where the individual with more
experience, knowledge, and connections is
able to pass along what they have learned to
another individual or a more junior
individual within a certain field.

 Themore senior individual is the mentor,

and the more junior individual is the
mentee.
WHO IS A MENTEE
A Mentee is an individual who partners
with another more experienced person
in a particular field to gain knowledge,
tap into the person’s experience and
learn from the more experienced
person usually called a mentor.
 WHY IS A MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP
NECESSARY?
 A lot of people loose interest in their jobs because they did
not have a mentor to mentor them and guide them through
the ropes of work.

 Experienced workers/Supervisors and Managers are

sometimes not alert to the fact that new workers need
mentors, so good talent can be maintained.
WHY IS A MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP NECESSARY?
CONT’D
 Amateurs are left to struggle and struggle until they get tired
and worn out then leave.
 Your own children when they finish school need mentors at
work, otherwise they get frustrated, work becomes a burden
for them and sometimes some of them will quit.

 So let us determine that we will become good mentors today

so that the seed we plant will geminate here and else where.

 As the saying goes: one good turn deserves another.

 WHY IS A MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP
NECESSARY? CONG’D

 Nursing mentorship is an important aspect of nursing

education and practice.

 It is a process where experienced nurses provide

guidance, support, and advice to novice nurses and
sometimes continuing nurses to help them develop their
skills and knowledge.
WHY IS A MENTOR-MENTEE
RELATIONSHIP NECESSARY? CONT’D

 Mentorship can also help to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that new
nurses are well-prepared to provide high-quality care.

 It can help to promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement within

healthcare organizations.

 Additionally, mentorship can help to address the nursing shortage by

encouraging new nurses to remain in the profession.

 Overall, nursing mentorship is an important investment in the future of nursing.

ROLE OF MENTORS

A mentor will deliberately have a discussion with

the mentee and assess the level of need for the
mentee

A mentor will list out the needs of the mentee and

share with the mentee to see if it is exactly what
the mentee requires.
ROLE OF MENTORS CONT’D:

A mentor will assess him or herself to see if

she is in a position to provide the required
assistance.

 The
mentor will discuss with the mentee
what times are possible for them to meet.

 Thementor will have a note book to write

down their goals and see if these are being
met
 ROLE OF MENTORS-CONT’D:

 Thementor will check with mentee whether

there is progress in the areas of need and if
there is not, what can be done to help
improve it.

 Thementor will serve as a big encourager,

spurring the mentee on at all times.
ROLE OF MENTORS-CONT’D:

 The
mentor will make himself or herself available as
much as possible for the mentee.

 The
mentor will define channels of communication,
whether face to face, email, whatsapp or all channels.

 Thementor will see the mentee as a friend and relate

with him/her as such – no bossing
 Mentors are like mamas and papas to the mentee
ROLE OF MENTORS CONT’D:

 Mentors can help set goals

A mentor can help their mentee set personal or professional
development goals.

 Mentors Maintain Accountability

A mentor helps hold their mentee accountable for their goals. By
tracking progress, the mentor helps the mentee stay focused and on
track towards completing them.

Mentors watch for success

 It can also ensure that the mentee does not forget about the goals
they have set. Knowing that someone else is watching can serve as
motivation, as the mentee likely does not want to let the mentor
 ROLE OF MENTORS CONT’D
 Mentors Offer Encouragement
When the mentee finds themselves struggling to perform their
job or reach a goal, they can turn to their mentor for support.
This encouragement can motivate them to keep moving forward
despite challenges.

 Identify Strengths
A mentor can also identify and express their mentee's strengths
to instill confidence in them. Having a strong sense of
confidence can make the mentee less likely to give up on their
goals.
ROLE OF MENTORS

 Mentors Help Make Connections

A mentor can help build their mentee's professional network.
When the mentee identifies professional or personal goals,
the mentor can connect them to potential opportunities or
individuals who can help them.

 As the mentor typically has more industry experience or a

higher-level career, these connections can be valuable for
career advancement.
ROLE OF MENTORS
 Mentors Are Willing To Listen
When an individual has ideas, they can use a mentor as a
resource to discuss or try them. The mentor can provide
unbiased advice or opinions using their relevant knowledge
and experience.

 With these insights, the mentee can better understand

what steps to take and whether to pursue the idea or walk
away. Similarly, a mentor can also listen and advise them
on daily concerns, such as workplace conflicts.
ROLE OF MENTORS

 Mentors Serve As A Trusted Ally

Trust represents a core element of mentoring relationships.

 The mentee must trust that the mentor has their best
interests in mind and will provide accurate and honest
guidance.
ROLE OF MENTORS
 Mentors have relevant experience
 When possible, individuals should choose mentors who
have the experience relevant to their profession or goals.
When mentors convey their successes, the mentee can use
them as an example to strive toward and copy the steps
they took.

 Mentors can also share the mistakes they made along their
journeys. The mentee benefits because they learn lessons
about the mistakes' negative impacts but do not have to
suffer the consequences themselves.
 Learning about these experiences can also help prepare the
mentee for the challenges they can expect to face and
provide demonstrable advice on how to overcome them.
ROLE OF A MENTOR
 Strong knowledge of nursing principles: A good mentor should have
a deep understanding of nursing principles and be able to impart this
knowledge to their mentee.

 Clear communication skills: Effective communication is key to a

successful mentor-mentee relationship. A good mentor should be
able to communicate clearly and effectively with their mentee.

 Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills: A good

mentor should be able to help their mentee navigate difficult
situations and make informed decisions.
 Empathy: A good mentor should be empathetic towards their
mentee, understand their struggles, and provide emotional support
when needed.
 Patience: Mentoring can be a challenging task, and a good mentor
should be patient with their mentee as they learn and grow.
ROLE OF MENTORS
 Mentors Can Offer Constructive Feedback

 A trusting mentorship relationship enables honest

feedback.

 By establishing trust, the mentee understands that

constructive criticism aims to build their professional
growth rather than make them feel bad. Mentors can
identify weaknesses and advise them on ways to improve.
 ROLE OF A MENTEE
 A mentee works with the Mentor to set goals for their partnership-
as to what is expected to be done and how it will be done.
 The mentee discusses the time that the he/she can meet with the
mentor
 The mentee comes with a notebook to the meetings with the
mentor and documents actions taken and the results of the actions
 The mentee seeks to obtain feedback from the mentor and tries to
work on negative actions for improvement
 A mentee respects the mentor and develops a right attitude towards
the mentor
 A mentee asks questions in order to advance in his/her work
 A mentee evaluates the relationship to see if it is impacting
positively on him/her
 ROLE OF A MENTEE
 A mentee is ready and willing to learn. Has a teachable spirit
 A mentee should be humble and not proud
 A mentee should be respectful
 A mentee must show the mentor that she is interested in
what is being taught
 A mentee must be tolerable and patient
 A mentee must keep relationship and discussions confidential
 A mentee must show improvement in work
 ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD MENTOR AND MENTEE

 Available  Gentle
 Intelligent  Good temperament
 Personable  Not off-putting
 Willing to assist  Confidentiality
 Patient  Provides a shoulder to cry on
 Not emotional  Knowledgeable
 Trustworthy  Not jealous of mentee’s progress
 Empathetic  Happy to help mentee
 Understanding  Proud to be a mentee
 Not judgemental  Willing to go the extra mile
 ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD MENTOR
 Inspiring. This doesn’t just mean you give your mentees a pep talk when they are down. Share
your story with your mentees and explain how you persevered through it all. Most of all, let your
mentee know that you believe in them.
 Honest. Nursing is not an easy journey, and you shouldn’t sugarcoat it as such. Acknowledge how
hard it can be, but also let them know that there are ways to overcome their problems. Also, be
honest when you don’t know the answers. It’s an opportunity to work and learn together.
 Supportive. You’ll be acting as their coach and cheerleader at the same time. However, know
your limits. You can’t help your mentee with everything. Sometimes, they will need to pick
themselves up on their own. At the same time, you need to be a shoulder to lean on. You’ll learn
to balance both in time.
 Present. You need to keep in contact with your mentee. Sometimes, they can be so buried in
work that they can’t find the time to message you. Ask them how they are. Even a short message
of support can make a difference. Your time is the greatest thing you can give your mentee.
They need it.
 Hands-on. Let your mentee shadow and work with you at times. If you don’t have that time, you
can share some nuggets of wisdom with them about the things you’ve experienced in your own
time in the hospital.
 MATCHING THE MENTOR AND MENTEE
 Itis important that in matching the mentor and
mentee or in choosing the mentor and mentee,
certain factors are taken into consideration:
 Some of such factors are the temperaments of the
persons involved.

 The temperaments of some people may not help in

mentorship because they may be hard handed and
intolerable and not patient and therefore they may
not be exceptionally positioned to be great mentors.
 Eg. Extroverts vrs Introverts
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

It is important that the mentor has

abundance of emotional
intelligence if he or she is to
succeed as a mentor.
HOW TO START THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

 First and foremost, Management has to agree that mentorship program should
be allowed in the facility and must be formalized.
 A system must be developed that suits the facility in the pairing of mentors
and mentees.
 The system has to check after some time if the mentor and mentee are happy
with each other or if there has to be a change
 The system must develop a feedback survey to see if the relationship has
impacted on the mentee.
 The system has to decide how long the mentor-mentee relationship has to last
and if the mentor has learnt enough to close the relationship.
 The system has to decide the number of mentees that would be assigned to
the mentor.
 Every mentor and mentee must write a report to Management on their
relationship and how it has made work better.
BARRIERS OF MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
 Mentor is not knowledgeable
 Mentor has a bossy attitude
 spirit
Mentor is not friendly
 Mentor is expecting financial
rewards
 Mentor is too critical
 Mentor cannot be trusted
 Mentor is not empathetic
 Mentor is a gossip
 Mentor feels overburdened
 Mentor feels threatened
 Mentor looks down on mentee
 Mentee does not like mentor
 Mentee does not have a teachable
 Mentee goes about slandering
mentor
 Mentee is not learning and not
serious
 Mentee does not have a friendly
attitude towards mentor
 Mentee does not come for
meetings
 Mentee is now overstretching
relationship and now asking for
favours eg. money
BARRIERS TO MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Lack of commitment by
organization

Mentor not willing to help

mentee

Temperaments are not matched

ADDRESS

 Gifty Ofori

 Telephone Number : 0244 365 483

 Email: gifty120n@yahoo.com