'Mentor' as a term has its origins in the ancient
Classic Homer's Odyssey. In this story Ulysses asks Mentor his best
friend to care for his son Telemachus. "Mentor becomes Telemachus'
trusted counsellor and guide" into adult life…. "in
keeping with this story, a mentor is frequently described as a wise,
experienced, and faithful advisor to an aspiring professional"
(Thorpe, 2003).
The modern term has evolved to describe a complex
phenomenon that can be formed instinctively or naturally but can also
be developed via organised programs such as the College of Nurses
Mentoring programme. Mentoring is more than the experienced guiding
the inexperienced as it involves the building of a dynamic relationship.
The individuals (mentor and mentee) concerned engage with each other
and share their personal characteristics and philosophies of practice
in order to develop a partnership. This partnership is characterised
by enabling and cultivating by the mentor to enable empowerment of
the mentee. Magic powers are not used but rather the identification
of the talents the mentee already possesses and the nurturing and
encouragement of these talents in order to fully develop them.
