The mentor commitment.

Abstract

An active mentoring program can benefit an entire organization. The nurses being mentored always have a resource for questions and support. Orientation, inservice, and continuing education can be individualized, based on the needs of the nurse and the areas of work. Continuing education, so essential for professional development, can become an everyday occurrence, as it is an integral part of mentoring. Other benefits are those reaped by the mentors through the recognition and affirmation of their expertise. Difficult problems often require simple solutions. Using the expert ophthalmic nurse to mentor the novice can be one of these solutions. Through a mentor connection, job satisfaction, leadership, and professional empowerment can be a reality. In addition, achieving this will help us face a future in which the ophthalmic nurses' role will be at the forefront.