For Mentors

Diversity

Just as the overall population is more diverse, preceptorship situations are also increasing in diversity. Considerations requesting cultural and geographic diversity are discussed below.

Situation

Considerations For Mentors

Culturally Diverse Mentoring

Examples of cultural perceptions that differ:

Role of teacher

Accountability
Communication
Time
Honouring hierarchy
Learning styles
Professional practice patterns

Become culturally self-aware and explore thoughts and feelings on cultural stereotypes
Develop a working knowledge of and appreciation for mentee culture
Have an awareness of some of the physical, emotional, educational and social transitions required for foreign or newly relocated student/staff members
Have an awareness of cultural differences related to learning styles and professional practice
Improve communication skills
Set apart more time than usual to discuss expectations with mentee
Talk about cultural issues that may arise in advance (for example, values or time)

TOOLS

Cross-Cultural Diversity Exercises – Intercultural communication checklist, Cross- cultural mentoring skills inventory, Questions for self-reflection on cross-cultural mentoring relationships.
(Zachary, 2000) Chapter 2
Checklist for Identifying Gender, Culture and Relationship Concerns
(Murray & Owen, 1991) (p184/85)
Mentoring Workshop Exercise on what can effect the boundaries of the relationship
C (p7), (Flynn, 1997) (p85)
Use storytelling to approach cultural issues and allow preceptors/mentors to share their own experiences
(Flynn, 1997) (p 85)
Courses offered by Training and Development Canada, eg. Cross-Cultural Awareness, Intercultural communication, Managing Diversity in the Workplace

Foreign-Trained Mentees

As for cross-cultural, plus:

Understand that mentee may have been health care leaders in their own country
Understand that mentee may be undergoing reality shock plus: going through acculturation process, dealing with homesickness, having different values (such as working overtime to send money home to their families)

TOOLS

As above.
Capital Health Region – developing a foreign nurse mentor workshop

Rural/Remote Mentoring

Seek out opportunities for peer support and networking via email, Internet and videoconferencing
Seek out opportunities for self-study mentor training and development such as on-line programs
Seek out local colleagues in other professions for support

TOOLS

Long Distance Mentoring Exercises: Issues and Challenges in long distance relationships, Long-distance mentoring interaction reflection
(Zachary, 2000), Chapter 2
On-line discussions forums, such as the one on this website – www.
On-line preceptor training & development (see main resources section)

Other categories?

Cross-generational
Cross-gender

Last reviewed 30-Aug-2004

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