Having a nursing mentor is something that people had mentioned would help with the stress of being a new nurse, but I never really understood the impact a mentor could have until I became lucky enough to find one. My senior year of college, I was set up with Audra Hanners (pictured) as my advisor for my precepting rotation. I had never had night shift clinicals, and the schedule became difficult for me very quickly. Audra took the time to ask how I was adjusting and asked about my commitments outside of nursing school. She helped me to focus on making time for my wellness so that I could get through the semester without feeling burnt out. She checked in on me numerous times, making sure I had the opportunity to talk about things that were causing me stress while she was my advisor. After my preceptorship ended, Audra continued to be a resource for me.
When I was applying to nursing jobs for the first time, Audra helped me grow professionally. She talked me through the application process, looking over my resume and encouraging me to think through answers for potential interview questions. She would meet with me for coffee to talk about my plans for the future. When I was accepted for a position at OSU, she encouraged me to learn the most I could from my new job. I was nervous because I never saw myself as a med-surg nurse but having the support of Audra helped me to take on the challenge and grow from it. Even during the COVID lockdowns, she would Zoom call me to check in and make sure I was adjusting to my new role well. When I was overwhelmed with being a new nurse and decided not to continue with the BSN-DNP program, she completely supported me. That was a very tough decision to make, but I felt good about it after talking through things with her.
Audra has been a role model, friend, and mentor to me in a time when I needed her most. I hope that I can be a mentor to someone as she has been a mentor to me. Without her, I would not be the nurse I am today, and I am so grateful for her. Mentors truly are great resources to have, and I am very lucky that Audra is mine.