Accredited Nurses Mentorship Information
Mentorship Programme
The Aotearoa College of Diabetes Nurses (ACDN) established the Accreditation Mentorship Programme for Accreditation applicants in 2013. The aim of the Mentorship Programme is to support members, seeking to achieve recognition as an ACDN Accredited Diabetes Nurse Specialist (DNS) or Specialty Nurse, to participate in a mentoring relationship with an accredited DNS to support them through the application process. The programme also aims to offer existing accredited diabetes nurse specialists with an opportunity to develop leadership skills.
Mentoring and initial accreditation
It is mandatory for applicants who are applying for initial Accreditation at either specialty or specialist level to work through the National Diabetes Nurses Knowledge and Skills Framework (NDNKSF) with an accredited Diabetes Specialist Nurse.
The relevant level on the framework must be consistent with the required level for the accreditation application.
The mentoring relationship may involve;
- undertaking actual buddied working time together
- looking at copies of letters or patient care plans and evaluations that have been undertaken as part of the mentee’s professional role
- sighting a copy of the mentee’s PDRP
Mentees must familiarise themselves with the NDNKSF. The mentoring relationship has no set timeline; however mentors must be satisfied that mentees have demonstrated knowledge and skills consistent with the required level at which accreditation is being sought.
It is the mentees responsibility to contact a mentor directly to request partnerships no less than 3 months in advance of planned submission of an accreditation application. If a mentor feels that they are not equipped professionally to support an applicant (for example if an applicant is working in an area of diabetes that is unfamiliar to the mentor) the mentor is under no obligation to provide mentorship.
The mentorship partnership is a two way relationship that relies on trust and a mutual understanding by both involved. Agreement on goals and objectives of the partnership will ensure it is beneficial for both the mentee and the mentor. Each individual needs to make a contribution by meeting their obligations and commitments and being prepared to work through any difficult issues that arise.
The ACDN Accreditation Programme Coordinator cannot and does not review communications between mentors and mentees. The ACDN cannot guarantee or endorse the accuracy of information that participants may receive from their mentor/mentee.
Both Mentees and Mentors must maintain absolute confidentiality at all times in relation to personal and professional information disclosed during the mentoring partnership period.
Becoming a mentor
Mentors must be an ACDN accredited Diabetes Nurse Specialist and be registered on the ACDN Accreditation Mentors Register. Accredited Diabetes Nurse Specialists wishing to provide mentorship must be familiar with the NDNKSF.
Mentorship consent remains current for term of accreditation (3 years) unless the Accreditation Programme Coordinator is otherwise notified in writing by the DNS mentor. A consent form for inclusion within the web based ACDN Accreditation Mentors Register will be issued to registered mentors at the time of re-accreditation. Mentors who allow their accreditation status to lapse will be automatically removed from the Mentors Register.
The mentor needs to work through the NDNKSF with the applicant at the required level for the application. The mentoring DNS may use the whole of the relevant section to help them come to the appropriate conclusion as to the appropriate level before signing off on the front page of the NDNKSF. The mentor’s name must be clearly printed on the front page of the document alongside their signature and the date.
The accredited DNS mentor needs to sign the Verification Form which expects them to have read the applicant's portfolio and validated that it is the applicant’s work. The accredited DNS is "verifying" that the mentee meets the standard for the level being applied for. The accredited DNS mentor is not passing or failing the application.
The timeline for partnership will depend solely on how long it takes for the accredited DNS mentor to be satisfied that requirements have been met.
Finding a mentor
To find a mentor, please see the right hand side of this page and log in with your NZNO membership number. In special circumstances, the Accreditation Programme Coordinator can assist in sourcing a mentor.