How to find a CRNA mentor
Mentorship can be extremely beneficial for a healthcare professional at any career stage—whether you’re just starting out or seeking to advance after years on the job. For mentors, it is a chance to give back and help shape someone’s future. In the field of anesthesiology, continued growth is invaluable, and having someone to collaborate with on a professional level can help guide your career path, increase your job satisfaction, and promote your professional achievement.
At North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA), we call ourselves a people company because our people are what make our organization so successful. In addition to a number of programs designed to shape and grow leaders, we have a national network of clinicians across 20 states where mentors are waiting to be found.
So, do you need a mentor? If the answer is yes, how do you find one and how do you structure the relationship?
We asked two of our Regional Directors of Advanced Practice Anesthesia, Heather Kartchner, CRNA, and Kevin M. Smith, CRNA. Both progressed from practicing certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to leaders in advanced practice anesthesia. They work every day to enhance and grow NAPA’s strong network of CRNAs.
Do you need a mentor?
“The assistance of a mentor can be a valuable tool for career and personal development,” says Heather. Mentors are people who share knowledge and teach competencies that go beyond what’s learned in the classroom. The mentee/mentor relationship is a partnership, which allows a professional with more expertise in a given area to share unique insights learned through their own personal experiences. For a student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA), a mentor can help with job applications, interviewing, and making personal connections or referrals to identify new opportunities.
“When I became a CRNA, I realized I was no longer an individual; I was now part of a clinical team,” says Kevin. “This dynamic of interrelatedness makes mentorship a constant and important factor in what we do.” In anesthesia, there will be challenges and lessons learned along the way, and the more knowledgeable and supportive people on your team, the more you will succeed—personally and professionally.
How do you find a mentor?
Finding a mentor can be as direct as getting paired through a school’s mentorship program, or more organic such as on-the-job connections. If your school or program doesn’t offer a formal mentoring program, Heather suggests taking a proactive approach. “Contact a hospital or other facility and ask to talk to a practicing CRNA,” she says. “This shows your interest and initiative and could lead to future job opportunities.”
In the course of your studies or work, if you meet someone you believe you can learn from on a deeper level, don’t hesitate to ask that person to become your mentor. “Each of us is being mentored by the people we work closely with, whether we’re aware of it or not,” says Kevin. “Use those everyday opportunities to learn and grow your skills, even if you don’t formally declare it a mentorship relationship.”
What should you look for in a mentor?
“The most productive mentorships are ones where there are commonalities between the mentor and the mentee, so the relationship doesn’t feel forced,” says Heather. Trust, honesty, connection, and relevant experience are all important considerations.
However, as in any relationship, a good fit means both people feel comfortable and at ease. “Creating a mentorship pair requires a connection, and not everyone fits this dynamic,” says Kevin. “If you’re the mentee, try to choose someone with whom you already have a good relationship and whose knowledge is inspiring.”
What makes a mentor/mentee relationship successful?
Both Heather and Kevin agree there are things you can do to make mentorship successful and get the most from the experience:
o Decide on a structure even for an informal mentorship relationship
o Specify the mentee’s needs and/or goals, so the mentor can provide guidance in that direction
o Define the roles and responsibilities of the relationship, expectations, frequency of calls, and/or meetings
o Make it clear from the beginning whether this will be a short-term or long-term mentorship relationship
o Actively work to make the experience valuable for both the mentor and mentee, including committing to boundaries, being on time, and showing appreciation
If you are new to anesthesia, a mentor can help you better define your career and help you get started. If you are an experienced clinician, a mentor can be a valuable resource to help you work through challenges of your profession or work toward a new direction.
Find your career (and your mentor) with NAPA.
Heather Kartchner, CRNA, is NAPA’s Advanced Practice Anesthesia Director for the Virginia region. She has been with the organization for more than five years and has more than a decade of experience as a CRNA.
Kevin M. Smith, CRNA, is NAPA’s Advanced Practice Anesthesia Director for the Mid-South region. He practiced as a CRNA for eight years before assuming his first CRNA leadership role.