Whether writing alone or with others, authorship requires thoughtfulness

Mentoring the Next Generation of Authors

OBJECTIVES

To discuss the role of mentoring in writing for publication, describe the specific needs of millennial learners, and offer tips for both mentor and mentee on how to foster and maintain a positive mentorship.

DATA SOURCES

Published literature, online sources, personal experience.

CONCLUSION

Mentorship can equip new nurse authors with the confidence, skills, and support needed to publish in a variety of forums. While a mentoring relationship primarily benefits the mentee, it can be equally rewarding for the mentor.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

All oncology nurses have an opportunity to write about some part of their role in the care of people with cancer, yet most have not received formal training on how best to share their expertise and experience through publications. Mentorship can bridge this gap.

Mentoring Clinical Nurses to Write for Publication: Strategies for Success

: Clinical nurses often find writing a challenge, but it's important to disseminate clinical practice initiatives that result in notable patient outcomes. Nurses have a responsibility to share what they do to improve patient care. The increased emphasis on the development and evaluation of evidence-based practice has made it necessary for nurses to share best practices that are associated with improved patient outcomes. We developed a six-month Writing for Publication workshop series designed to teach clinical nurses about the writing process and mentor them through the stages of preparing a manuscript to submit for publication. This successful program helped novice nurse authors become published professionals and had a great impact on our organization.