Started in 2021, ESPNIC’s dedicated mentorship program offers one-to-one mentoring support to motivated healthcare professionals who wish to strengthen their experience and skills or define and pursue their short-term professional development goals.
Mentorship is a non-formal educational tool for professional development and provides benefits for both the mentee and the mentor. The ESPNIC Mentorship program aims to support career development and job satisfaction for less experienced colleagues from all backgrounds and disciplines. We wholeheartedly welcome mentee applications from low and middle income countries (LMICs). We strive to create a valuable network among the mentorship program participants with our dedicated congress meetings and online lounges.
The mentor-mentee relationship is built on personal connection and mutual respect.
- The mentor and mentee trust each other
- They both are willing to share information about themselves
- They both give constructive feedback
- They reflect on the mentorship process
The program will run for a minimum period of 12 months, renewable once following mutual agreement from both parties.
- Any project or research work (clinical, research, education, leadership) produced as a result of the mentee-mentor relationship will be presented to the ESPNIC Mentorship Committee.
- Evaluation of the mentorship program by both mentors and mentees will be undertaken annually.
- We require all mentorship pairs to inform the Mentorship Committee about their yearly progress in the form of a mentorship report.
A mentor is a healthcare professional (HCP) who has a special interest in supporting another individual to develop into a successful professional and who has solid experience in the field (clinical, leadership, research or education). A mentor acts as a guide and role model for a new or less experienced HCP or a (senior) HCP who wants to further develop their career.
Mentor eligibility criteria and responsibilities for the Mentorship Program
| Eligibility criteria: | Responsibility: |
| ● For physicians: to be an academic or consultant
● For nurses or AHPs: to be recognised as a leader in a specific field, PICU or NICU and have specialised skills in research, education, advanced practice or leadership. ● To be an active ESPNIC member(paid dues) for the duration of the mentorship period ● To have excellent communication skills ● To demonstrate a strong interest in another person develop into a successful professional |
● To commit to be a mentor for the agreed duration of the mentorship
● To recognise that the mentee primarily determines how the relationship develops/evolves ● To be available for online meetings (minimum of 30 mins – 1 hour 4 per year) with their mentee ● Is expected to attend ESPNIC congresses for a face to face meeting ● Mentors should consider encouraging their mentee to be an active member of ESPNIC by joining a section or take a more active role in the society’s projects and initiatives |
Every year we announce an open call for Mentors on our website and social media channels. Submit your application and share your experience.
A mentee is a healthcare professional (HCP) who is in training or in need of further professional development and has an interest in personal development. Below are mentее eligibility criteria and their responsibilities for the ESPNIC Mentorship Program
| Eligibility criteria: | Responsibilities: |
| ● To be a qualified HCP in the field of PICU or NICU (applicants from all backgrounds are welcome)
● To be in training or in need of further professional development ● For medics only: completion of the formal paediatric or anaesthesiology specialty training. |
● Commitment for the agreed duration of the mentorship
● Active engagement in their own professional development and partnership in the mentor-mentee relationship ● Showing a willingness to learn and collaborate with the mentor and develop further skills as suggested ● Availability for meetings with their mentor (minimum 30 minutes or 4 times per year) ● Mentees are expected to attend the Mentorship Program Events |
Every year we announce an open call for Mentees on our website and social media channels. It will be followed by a matching period before allocating you a mentor. Submit your application and join the ESPNIC Mentorship program.
Terms of reference
The ESPNIC Mentorship Committee (MC) is responsible for setting guidelines for the mentorship program; pairing mentors and mentees in order to facilitate a mutually beneficial and successful short and potentially longer-term relationship; acting as a liaison between mentors and mentees; nominating the mentee’s and the mentor’s representative, and evaluating the mentorship program.
This committee will call for applications from those who are interested in becoming mentors and mentees. The committee will then review and assess these applications, interview candidates if required and decide which mentees and mentors will be formally admitted into the programme. Finally, the MC will pair the mentees with an appropriate mentor (within the time period indicated). Members of the MC will also develop the training materials and organise CME events for all participants. The MC will evaluate the program using mentee, mentor and combined evaluations; the data will be analysed and feedback reviewed enabling continual improvement of the Mentorship Program.
The ESPNIC Mentorship Committee consists of:
- The chair (or vice-chair) of ESPNIC nursing science or nursing section
- The ESPNIC Trainee Representative
- The ESPNIC Chair of professional development
- The medical and nursing past presidents of ESPNIC
- The mentee representative
- The mentor representative
Elected members:
- The mentee representative
- eligibility: any mentee enrolled in the Mentorship Program at the time of the election
- The mentor representative
- eligibility: any mentor enrolled in the Mentorship Program at the time of the election
- Chair of the Mentorship Committee
- eligibility: any member of the Mentorship Committee
Term of elected members:
- 2 years
- Current term: (1st January 2024 – 31st December 2025)
- Next elections: December 2025
Term of delegated members:
- Matches the term of office with ESPNIC.
- However, when ESPNIC Officials’ term come to an end, these members will be able to contribute to the work of the MC if they wish and if agreed by the MC.
Roles and responsibilities
Members of the MC:
- Irrespective of their background, MC members are expected to work together and help the overall governance and continuous improvement of the Mentorship Program.
- Members should review all relevant material before committee meetings.
- Members are required to attend and actively participate in Mentorship Committee meetings. Members should be present for the entire meeting.
- If unable to attend a committee meeting, a written apology note must be sent. Members are not allowed to send representatives to the MC meetings in their absence.
- If a Committee member misses meetings consecutively for more than six months, the MC may vote to nominate an alternative member who has suitable skills and knowledge to replace the member in question.
- For the success of the Mentorship Program, there are strict deadlines which must be met.
- Members are expected to work on projects allocated to them and co-operate with other members.
- Members are expected to participate in activities supporting the mentors and mentees enrolled in the program.
- Members must maintain confidentiality where required.
- Members are required to disclose any possible conflict of interest.
Chair of the MC:
In addition to requirements of any committee member, the Chair should:
- Lead the group and the overall project to his or her best knowledge
- Plan and run the committee meetings
- Ensure that a summary of all committee meetings are shared with the committee members
- Communicate with the ESPNIC executive committee and negotiate on behalf of the MC
- Communicate with the mentors and mentees enrolled in the Mentorship Program or nominate MC members for specific communication tasks
- Report to the Mentorship Committee with regards to all communication conducted on behalf of the MC
- Where appropriate, guide the committee in proposing new activities, service or policy that will further the mission and goals of the program
- Assist in the development of partnerships with other ESPNIC bodies or organisations outside ESPNIC that are relevant to the goals of the committee
- Ensure continuity at the end of his or her term.
Changes and amendments to these Terms of Reference
The Mentorship Committee shall be convened under cover of a notice that, at the said MC meeting, an amendment to the Terms of Reference shall be on the agenda. A resolution to amend or change the Terms of Reference shall require no less than a two thirds majority of the votes cast.
Mentor application is now closed.
Potential Mentees can find the application form here. The deadline is March 31, 2024.