Can We Talk?: Pass It On: The Power of Mentors

    The Person Who Changed My Life by Matilda Raffa Cuomo (Barnes & Noble Books; 2002), reminded me of the importance of mentors, advisors, teachers, and coaches in our lives. An educator, a manager, a relative, a random member of your community, church, or synagogue — regardless of title, the influence of that special person has far-reaching effects.

    In addition to several family members and acquaintances, my career and nursing mentors have had a profound influence in my life. My undergraduate nursing professor, Desma Reno, RN, MSN, CGN, was an early and profoundly positive inspiration, encouraging me to be passionate about my chosen career. My former boss, Bob Smith, taught me the fundamental principles of good business. My wound care guide, Diane Krasner, PhD, RN, helped catapult my vocation and encouraged me to get involved. My most recent mentor, wound care thought leader Elizabeth Ayello, PhD, RN, APRN, BC, CWOCN, FAPWCA, FAAN, has shown me how to have grace under pressure and to always take the high road. Where would I be today if not for their guidance and leadership?

    My present position lends itself to mentoring seasoned colleagues as well as young people entering the work force. Our clinical team has a unique opportunity to provide the value added “products” of education and guidance to help colleagues make prudent clinical decisions based on current best practices. Not a day goes by without my conducting an Educare seminar, helping a long-term care facility become “survey ready,” answering the Educare Hotline, or assisting a clinician with a research presentation or poster. Educare seminars are 1- to 8-hour continuing education programs given around the country by Medline Industries’ (Mundelein, Ill.) clinical team. The Educare Hotline — (888) 701-SKIN — is answered by wound care specialists, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. No matter one’s capacity, helping others achieve their goals is immensely satisfying.

    Try to imagine your life without mentors. Perhaps you would have missed a fateful opportunity. Maybe you wouldn’t have become a healthcare provider. Possibly wound care would not have become your passion. Part of life and part of being a good clinician is helping and teaching others, reaching out to the next generation to follow in our footsteps, our careers, our wound management paths. Who have you coached, mentored, or assisted lately?

    As I lecture and write, I try to summon others to this incredible occupation, incorporating information about nursing, wound management, certification, and involvement. Recently, I addressed the Missouri Nurses Association (MONA) Annual Convention, where I spoke to future nurses about wound management, instilling new knowledge about my specialization. I was asked what journals to read, what texts to have on hand, how to get started, and how difficult certification is to obtain. Answering these questions is the beginning of mentoring. Assisting, guiding, teaching, and offering support are the next steps. Who might you help?

    Passing the baton — mentoring others, and offering guidance to those who seek the wisdom of our experience as wound care clinicians — is imperative for our industry to survive and thrive. Become a mentor, officially or unofficially. Invite colleagues of all ages and levels from novice to pro to meetings or become members of professional organizations. The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (https://www.aawcone.org) is a great place to start. Your role in their achievements will increase your professional and personal fulfillment. Be a mentor — pass it on!

    Adapted from an article soon to be published in the AAWC Network Newsletter.