Learning Objective #1: Discuss the impact of culture on the establishment and maintenance of the mentor-mentee relationship

Learning Objective #2: Identify the influence of mentoring on professional socialization

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Mentorship is a leadership role that has its origin in Greek mythology. Today it is used in nursing and other disciplines to facilitate the professional development of neophytes. The globalization of nursing and the existence of information technology through the Internet provide effective means for developing and maintaining a mentoring relationship with future nurses worldwide. This paper focuses on the impact of culture on establishing and maintaining the relationship with undergraduate nursing students at a university in sub-Saharan Africa. The benefits of mentoring for the mentor - a chance for growth and development within the practice of nursing, professional replenishment to expert nurses, and the mentee - personal and professional growth and development will be discussed in relationship to factors such as time, parameters for the relationship, cultural knowledge, expectations, shared values, worldviews, and humanistic caring. Attributes of the mentor and mentee that facilitate or impede the relationship will be explored within the framework of caring, ethics, empowerment, professional socialization, cultural competence. In addition, components of leadership and change that influence mentoring will be explored.