Suggestions for creating a welcoming nursing community : Ubuntu, cultural diplomacy, and mentoring

Abstract

Although there is historical evidence that nursing has been a profession that nurtures and affirms young nurses, some have observed recently that senior nurses “eat their young” and that there is a lack of student nurse socialization, creating poor role identification. Some young nurses are leaving the profession. This paper suggests that senior nurses consider the implementation of the African community-building philosophy of ubuntu to guide their interactions with young nurses. Cultural diplomacy and mentoring are discussed as means of implementing ubuntu philosophy in the creation of a welcoming nursing community.