Nursing Mentoring Program

• The program will be open to all alumni of the UNMC College of Nursing and all current students in the College. 
• The UNMC Alumni Association’s online community, Alumni Connections https://connections.unmcalumni.org, will be the home for the program and will be how and where the alumni and students connect with one another. 

• Complete this interest form: https://bit.ly/nursingmentoring
• Join the UNMC Alumni Association’s online community, Alumni Connections: https://connections.unmcalumni.org.
  
• Complete the matching quiz to make your first connections to others in the community. 
• Click on the “Groups” tab toward the top left of the site and join UNMC Nursing Alumni & Student Mentoring Program. 
• Check out our Timeline & Suggested Conversation Topics for Mentors & Mentees document.

• Together, alumni mentor and student mentee should discuss expectations for this program. Both are advised to think about what the goal is for each meeting and how each should benefit. Ultimately, the mentor and mentee should create an exchange that is respectful and engaging for both parties. Ask thoughtful questions of one another and remember that mentorship is an ongoing process. 
• Each meeting should be an opportunity to learn, but true development happens over time. Discuss how often you are each available to meet and consider scheduling your next conversation at the end of each scheduled timeframe.   
  • Mentor and mentee should have a minimum of two meetings, per academic year, but preferably more. 
    
  • Meetings should either be virtual, through the online community or in person (with preference to the online community). Other communication like messaging through the online community, emailing, phone calls and texting is also encouraged. 
    
• Keeping this relationship a priority will add value and encourage growth for both mentor and mentee. 
• After each meeting, mentor and mentee are kindly asked to fill out this brief post meeting survey: https://bit.ly/nursemtgrecap
  
• At the end of the academic year, mentor and mentee are asked to complete a post-program survey: https://bit.ly/nursingfollowup.  

An ideal student mentee has the following characteristics: 

• A professional, respectful, mature demeanor when interacting with their mentor. 
• Follows through with all meetings that are set up and is on time and prepared. 
• Ambition and motivation to grow as a nurse and professional. 
• Willingness to apply mentor insights. 
• Enthusiasm and interest in learning and expanding thinking and skillset. 
• A positive attitude. 

Networking through a mentor/mentee relationship is a meaningful and highly beneficial practice and skill. Participants will benefit from this program based on the time and interest they put toward it.

To share advice and information about areas of practice, navigating career paths, building networks, increasing self-confidence, honing leadership skills, and/or other issues relevant to career development.  

• Engage mentee(s) by being a coach, guide, and motivator. 
• Coach: Assist your mentee(s) in developing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound) goals, and creating a realistic, refined, work plan toward achieving them. Also, or alternatively, consider implementing the GROW (Goal, current Reality, Obstacles, Way forward) model for mentorship and coaching.
• Guide: Advise your mentee(s) on professional conduct, including how to network, communicate, and represent themselves professionally. 
  
• Motivator: Encourage your mentee(s) to feel confident about their ability to meet goals and to be successful in their endeavors. Share information or feedback that will help them feel prepared to take on the next steps in their career.
  
• Demonstrate ethical and moral orientation. 
• Ultimately, the hope is that as a mentor, you act as a friend to your mentee(s) helping them to transition into their career, not just their first job after graduation. Mentorship should be a comfortable relationship for each party which provides both parties an enriching growth and learning experience. Thank you for helping future nurses fulfill their potential!