In recent years there has been major changes in the education of student nurses, from the old system where nurses were educated on the job as an equal part of the workforce, to the system in operation now where students have strictly protected supernumerary status when out in practice (Eaton, 2012), this change has resulted in registered nurses taking on a greater responsibility in the education of student nurses, becoming mentors, who ultimately decide if students are competent to become nurses at the end of their training (NMC, 2015). The NMC recommends that newly qualified staff undergo a period of preceptorship in which they are mentored by an experienced member of staff through the initial weeks or months in their new role (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2006).
The literature surrounding the subject of mentorship is vast and fails to provide a single definition, however the terms used are often similar. Colley (2000) writes that the word mentor originated in Homer’s poem ‘Odyssey’ in which the character oversees the development of Telemachus. Usually mentoring describes the process of an experienced team member using their skills and knowledge to educate and develop a junior or less skilled co-worker (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2014). When looking at mentorship from a nursing perspective there is a much greater emphasis on the relationship built between mentor and student and the unique need to reach specific goals in a given tie period
In the Epic, “The Odyssey", spoken by Homer, conveys a heroic tale of an epic hero named, Odysseus, who faces many challenges as he sails to get home. One of the tasks Odysseus faces is, "The Sirens", who challenge Odysseus 's will power. Another challenge Odysseus encounters is, “The Cyclops", who torments and slaughters some of Odysseus 's men due to his curiosity. One of the hardest threats he had to confront was, “The Land of Dead" which tested his self-restraint, and revealed his human weaknesses of sorrow. The Epic Hero, Odysseus, struggles with many challenges such as, the taunting Sirens, the brutish and cruel Cyclops, and one of the arduous territories Odysseus has ever crossed, The Land of the Dead.
In the “Odyssey”, Odysseus goes through obstacles throughout the book that a normal man couldn’t subside. One example is in book 9, his main obstacle that he is trying to face is to escape from being held hostage in a cave by a Cyclops better known as Polyphemus. Odysseus is a archetypal hero, he is also a role model, with an ambition to get to his homeland Ithaca. He goes through resisting temptation and using his intellect and physical strength to get him there, no matter the obstacle nor the negative flaws that he faces. Odysseus put himself and his men in that situation by being curious and wanting to know what kind of land his ship and the winds led him to. This was selfish of him because it cost him some of his men, but a leader and hero has to play that role and some lives will be dealt with on the way. Odysseus says, “The rest of you will stay here while I go with my ship and crew on reconnaissance. I want to find out what those men are like, Wild savages with no sense of right or wrong Or hospitable folk who fear the gods” (Homer 429). Saying this quote alone makes Odysseus a humble man due to the fact that not even a piece of land is going to slow him down on his journey back home.
The character Ulysses Everett McGill from “O Brother, Where art thou?” is a worthy representation of Odysseus from the “Odyssey”. Ulysses Everett McGill, or Everett, was the main character of the movie who was trying to get back home. Odysseus was a king and warrior who spent 20 years away from home due to obstacles and distractions. Both characters share many personality traits and events that make the movie a modern adaption of the epic poem
“Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns ... start from where you will—sing for our time too” (I, 1, 12). From the very beginning, Homer shows his intention for themes of The Odyssey to be applicable in the modern age and essentially “sing for our time” (I, 12). Homer’s epic provides the ideal reflection upon the very definition of heroism because it details the strenuous journey of Odysseus, a crafty hero whose key priority is to return home to his family. As one of the most prominent themes, The Odyssey carries forth the idea of heroism through the portrayal of Odysseus, and establishes a connection with the real world through the expression of life lessons. Consequently, Odysseus is characterized to serve as a role model for the successful hero because, after all, the poem is essentially centered on his very name. However, The Odyssey simultaneously conveys that an entirely perfect hero may be impossible, but a means for improvement is always present. The attributes for success that are revealed in The Odyssey can be examined under interconnected ideas of passion, perseverance, and prowess. Thus, heroism is the most compelling theme of The Odyssey because it exemplifies the attributes for success while also demonstrating that heroes are not without mortal flaws.
In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, certain characters are granted with the ability to make decisions for themselves, while others must deal with external factors, whether it be fate or divine intervention, that predispose their lives. Similarly, women are predisposed with the inability to make choices for themselves while men are born with the right to uphold power and enforce control over the female gender. Contrary to these gender stereotypes concerning power in a Homeric world, Homer instills Penelope with complete control, while leaving Odysseus with none. It is this distribution of control in Penelope that enables Odysseus to complete his nostos and re-identify himself, therefore pushing the boundaries of gender norms.
For many clinical experiences, the instructor assigns a nurse mentor to work with the student for that clinical experience. Some nurse mentors may have negative feelings about having to mentor students, may not take the time to explain things to students, or teach them how to do nursing care. The nurse mentor has the potential to positively or negatively affect the student’s learning experience based on their willingness to work with and teach nursing students.
Six relevant systematic reviews were identified, with two of the reviews focused on the significance of mentoring to promote retention of experienced registered nurses as well as the effect student mentoring has on empowering nursing students and promoting their growth in the profession (Jokelainen et al.,
In Homer’s The Odyssey, loyalty is not only a vital character trait for Odysseus, but also an important trait for any dutiful citizen. Odysseus personifies loyalty as he journeys back to Ithika in, but his wife and servants also display an extreme amount of devotion to their lost king. Those that are loyal are rewarded, while those that aren’t are punished.
Throughout life we are faced with many different challenges, and obstacles. Temptation is followed from our instincts, insights, or through the support system that we have built within. Nevertheless, loyalty can idealize as an extremity that extracts our thoughts and mental processes, which can make decisions coincide with ease especially considering who we can count on in times of need. Loyalty, many people may look upon it as actions but in all actuality it is what lies deep down inside of the mind, heart, beliefs, and character of a person. In Homer’s book The Odyssey, there is loyalty present from beginning to end and I would like to express how words imply loyalty on an aspectual basis.
Teaching and learning in the clinical setting is not a new concept and the teaching of clinical skill to nursing student ranks high on the current agenda of nurse education (Pfeil, 2003). Therefore, has be the duty of teachers to continue to provide ongoing guidance during teaching and learning taking place. According to While (2004), the mentor is required to feel personally and professionally confident when assessing the student’s performance. This allows the development of the students will become better and more effective.
As a Registered Nurse I have had the opportunity to be a preceptor to a number of nursing students. I take this role very seriously as I am aware of the impact that my mentoring has on the students’ learning experience, competence and satisfaction
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) defines the role of a mentor as a nurse with specific training who is able to facilitate learning, and supports and supervises students in a practice setting (NMC 2008). Mentorship plays an integral part in the next generation of practitioners and nursing professionals play a vital role in guiding a process that allows the transference of knowledge, skills and attributes from healthcare professionals to the students they are working with (English National Board and Department of Health 2001).
The Odyssey shows a lot of different stereotypes for women throughout the book, taking action to get what they want. Odysseus is trying to get back home after ten long years since the fall of troy, and his son is going out to find him. Throughout the book Odysseus meets lots of woman who vary in personality. He meets woman with the stereotypes: “mantis”- dominant, eats its mate, destroys to gain power, feared by many. “Damsel in distress”- persecuted maiden, woman placed in a dire predicament requires a hero to rescue her, relatively weak and frail. “Seductress”- reveals a man 's weakness, great beauty and sensuality, heavily chastised through alienationl rejection. He meets two woman named Circe and Calypso. Calypso whose is portrayed by Homer as a “Seductress” and Circe portrayed as a “Mantis”. He first has a love affair with the witch-goddess Circe, and later on gets imprisoned on Calypso’s island for 7 years. In Homer’s Odyssey, both Circe and Calypso seek power through female stereotypes; however, Circe and Calypso’s ability to understand helps them retain that power, conveying the message that once people understand each other good things can come out of it.
Throughout our lives, no doubt we have seen countless heroes. They may be a doctor, a war veteran, or a comic book superhero from a fond childhood. A hero has a thousand faces as mythologist and author, John Campbell, puts it; the only requisite for being one under his definition is completing what he calls The Hero’s Journey. In Homer’s The Odyssey, the violent Odysseus was seen by the Ancient Greeks as a cunning and brave hero, but is he according to John Campbell’s definition? The Hero’s Journey is broken down into six steps one must complete, leaving home, embarking upon a quest, facing dragons, meeting the final dragon in all-out combat, incurring a wound, and gaining new wisdom. Five of these Odysseus flawlessly completes. He leaves his “home” as he departs from the battlefields of Troy, his quest in search of Ithaca. As he sails through the seas in search of his beloved hearth and home, he combats “dragons,” from the radiant enchantress Circe to the infernal six-headed behemoth Scylla, his final dragon and all out struggle fought on his homecoming, slaying the suitors that defiled his wife and name. Crawling out from the battle, his wounds lay deep; his kingdom in shambles, his crew deceased, and twenty years of a lifetime forever stolen. However, this is only as far as he goes, for no wisdom does he acquire, barred by a disassociation from empathy. Odysseus’ name embellished by
Research shows nurses need to be developed in two key areas “facilitating students and strengthening students in clinical placement”. (Jokelainen, p. 2860) Facilitating students create a community where nurses are nurtured and supported. Clinical placement ensures nurses are educated and groomed into professionals in their clinical environment. Each area deals with creating an environment where a new nurse is given structure and support throughout their new career. The review of “A Systematic Review of Mentoring Nursing Students in Clinical Placement” aims to focus attention on the relevance of mentorship for veteran nurses to train and assist new nurses during their clinical studies. These studies were performed in European Union countries during the years of 2009-2011. (Jokelainen, p. 2855)