Which of the following is a characteristic of a mentor?

A characteristic of a mentor is that they assist their protégé in professional development. Mentorship involves a supportive relationship where a more experienced individual provides guidance, knowledge, and resources to help the mentee grow in their career. This development encompasses various aspects, including skill enhancement, career path planning, and navigating challenges within the profession.

Mentors also play a crucial role in fostering confidence and personal growth, encouraging their protégés to seek opportunities and develop their potential. This relationship is often more informal than other professional interactions and is characterized by mutual respect and a shared commitment to the protégé's growth.

In contrast, the other options represent roles or responsibilities that are typically more structured or administrative in nature. For instance, formal assignment by a nurse manager indicates an organizational role rather than a mentorship role. Orienting new graduates to a specific work environment is part of training and integration, rather than ongoing professional development guided by a mentor. Conducting annual performance evaluations is an evaluative function that reflects management responsibilities, not the supportive teaching and guiding nature of mentorship.