Issue link: https://ahint.epubxp.com/i/619494
A A H F N . O R G | 2 3 E D I T O R I A L B O A R D C O L U M N Many of us have worked throughout our careers to become nurse scientists. There are differing types of nurse scientists and since this edition of The Connection is focused on research, I will focus on mentoring in research. I would venture to say that very few nurse researchers were able to become principle investigators without a mentor. I am personally grateful to my mentor, Diane Treat-Jacobson, PhD, RN, FAAN, who has guided me through my years-long process of earning a doctorate and being a principle investigator for my own study. It is interesting to know that although Dr. Treat-Jacobson is a nationally known, well-established researcher who has been awarded millions of dollars in grants, she too has a mentor. What Makes a Good Mentor? A good mentor has hands-on training in the area of expertise for which the mentee has. Established nursing researchers have proposed multiple research studies, written quite a few grants and been both awarded and denied grants. A good mentor can pass this knowledge base to her mentee through the relationship. Knowledge is shared either formally or informally in this process. My own mentor has discussed the grant-writing process with me and has proofread my grant drafts. At the time, I thought she was tough — she required 17 rewrites of my proposal before she would allow the rest of my committee to view my draft. There weren't many rewrites after that and I was awarded the grant, which funds my current study. Knowledge is also passed along informally — my mentor has phoned, emailed and had an occasional lunch with me. A great mentor has all of these qualities (except perhaps the 17 rewrites) and also inspires. This is where leadership is involved. My mentor has inspired me to push myself much further in my career than I had previously planned. One way she did this was by encouraging me to pursue a (rather large) grant. I honestly believe that my study will help patients with heart failure (HF) manage their symptoms in a more timely fashion and may decrease morbidity. In addition to inspiration, a great mentor helps a mentee learn how to be a mentor. In my six years of working with Dr. Treat-Jacobson, I have seen her relationship with her own mentor, and I have seen her relationship with her mentees. Once again, both formally and informally, I have learned how to be an effective mentor. I am not yet in the position to mentor new nurse researchers, but when I am, I will still have my relationship with my mentor, and she will be a welcome resource. When considering a mentor, think about that person's experience, as well as personality and style of work. These are important, but also consider how the individual pursues their passion, who their mentor is and who they mentored previously. All of these qualities will affect how you are mentored . LEADERSHIP AND BEING A NURSE SCIENTIST Marjorie G. Webb, PhD(c), DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, AACC • Editorial Board Member of AAHFN Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN In my six years of working with Dr. Treat-Jacobson, I have seen her relationship with her own mentor, and I have seen her relationship with her mentees. Once again, both formally and informally, I have learned how to be an efective mentor. a l l o w t h e r e s t o f t m a n y r e w r i t e s f u n d s m y g i n f o r m a l l y — o c c a s i o n a l l u n c h p t p e r h a p s e l e a d e r s h i p i s m y s e l f m u c h n n e d . O n e w a y e a ( r a t h e r l a r g e ) l p p a t i e n t s w i t h a m o r e t i m e l y p s a m e n t e e o r k i n g w i t h p w i t h h e r o w n h e r m e n t e e s . v e l e a r n e d p r e v i o u s l y . A l l o f t h e s e q u a l i t i e s w i l l a f f e c t h o w y o u a r e m e n t o r e d . 2 3 | T H E C O N N E C T I O N • W I N T E R 2 0 1 6