Final answer:
Mentors guide new graduate nurses in patient education, such as teaching self-breast exams crucial for early cancer detection. They aid in developing communication skills, provide practice through role-playing, and emphasize the importance of regular self-exams for breast health awareness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of a mentor for new graduate nurses involves guiding them through various patient education tasks, such as teaching a patient about a self-breast exam. This is an essential skill for nurses, as it involves not only understanding the procedure but also the ability to communicate effectively with patients. Teaching a self-breast exam is crucial for early detection of breast cancer and involves demonstrating the technique, explaining the frequency of the exams, and emphasising the importance of noticing changes in breast tissue.
New graduate nurses should be encouraged to use visual aids, provide literature for the patient to take home, and create a comfortable environment for this sensitive discussion. The mentor may also role-play as the patient to help the graduate nurse practice their teaching approach, ensuring they are prepared to answer questions and address patient concerns.