“Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation” is a quote that guides Sarah Abdolcader, MSN, RN, as she mentors nurses and emerging nurse leaders at Kaiser Permanente.
Offering career advice and perspectives from her 17 years as a nurse, Abdolcader creates a safe psychological space and establishes a connection with mentees to get to know their interests, qualities, and skills.
“I want to share options within what they want and get them on the path toward the future they see for themselves,” she said. “They have the seeds and desire to grow. I just help cultivate it.”
Abdolcader, a clinical practice consultant for the Northern California Patient Care Services team, is among 175 mentors who participated in the 2024 cohort of the KP Nurse Leader Mentoring program. It has grown from 34 participants since its inception in late 2022.
Mentoring programs are growing
The KP Nurse Leader Mentoring program is not the only mentorship available for nurses. Medical centers are also creating mentoring programs to help support the development of their nurses locally. In South Sacramento, the Professional Development Council launched a mentoring program over the summer. The first cohort matched 12 new nurses with more experienced colleagues. The program is looking to expand this year.
“Mentoring is one of the hallmarks of professional practice with experienced nurses and nurse leaders contributing to the professional growth of others by sharing their nursing journey experience,” said Jodi Galli, MSN, RN, program manager, Nurse Scholars Academy and Academic Relations.
The KP Nurse Leader Mentoring program also contributes to nurse satisfaction, retention, and succession planning as nurses and nurse leaders transition into their practice, specialty areas, and seek to develop their leadership skills, according to Galli.
Santa Rosa Assistant Nurse Manager and mentee in the 2024 cohort Tasaday Lewis, BSN, RN, says the mentoring program has helped her grow as a leader by improving her communication and approach with direct reports as well as hospital leadership.
Broader, regionwide perspective
She also appreciates that the program has given her a perspective beyond the medical center she works in to provide new opportunities to take on pilot programs with potential benefit across the region.
“I also now have a better understanding of Kaiser Permanente’s incredible reach and feel a part of the bigger picture,” said Lewis, a 10-year Kaiser Permanente nurse.
Nancy Madden, BSN, RN, a South Sacramento perioperative department staff nurse IV and chair of their Professional Development Council, says their local program is mutually beneficial for mentees and mentors.
“Mentees feel supported knowing they have someone they go to for advice, and guidance to help them achieve their development goals, such as achieving the next step in the clinical ladder. Mentors are satisfied sharing their knowledge and supporting the next generation of nurses.”
Lewis said she learned a great deal from being a mentee. “I am so grateful for this experience,” added Lewis. “I signed up to be a mentor for the next cohort and excited to be able to help others.”
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