Empowering Undergraduate Nursing Students through Mentorship at UMSN
Undergraduate nursing students at the University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) have an ally in their academic journey: their fellow classmates.
Through the UMSN Advising Mentorship Program, undergraduate nursing students across the school can connect in a supportive and enriching environment. This voluntary program is open to undergraduate students who wish to either mentor their peers or seek guidance from those with more experience. With the program kicking off at the beginning of the 2023 Fall semester, it has quickly become an integral part of the academic and social landscape at UMSN.
Fostering Connections
The primary objective of the program is to connect lower-division students with upper-division mentors that, in theory, will last for a full academic year, providing a consistent source of support for academic, social and personal challenges. The benefits are two-fold—mentees gain valuable insights and support, while mentors develop leadership skills and gain satisfaction from helping others. The program also fosters networking opportunities, allowing students to form meaningful connections with their peers.
“This is another resource for students to give them a shoulder to lean on through academic, social, or personal challenges,” said Salma Torres, undergraduate program assistant advisor who oversees the program.
“It's a great way for our students to network with each other and get to know other nursing students in the program!”
This year marks a fresh start for the program under new leadership, bringing innovative ideas to enhance the mentoring experience. Given the high number of sign-ups, some groups now consist of three to four students, typically including one mentor and two to three mentees. This adjustment aims to provide more dynamic interactions and support networks.
Innovative Approaches to Peer Mentorship
Among the new initiatives introduced this year is the "Peer Mentorship Bingo." This engaging activity features small tasks and prompts for mentor-mentee groups, encouraging them to bond over various activities. Whether it's study sessions, sharing self-care tips, or checking in during finals week, the bingo card offers flexibility for students to engage at their own pace.
Recognizing that students have demanding schedules, the program allows participants to interact through various means, be it in person, via text or email.
“Our nursing students have busy schedules that may not allow them to frequently meet, however our mentees are still looking for guidance and someone to reach out to when they need advice,” Salma explained.
“Mentors are wanting to provide encouragement to their mentee throughout the school year. This is why we created pairings, so students have one another to lean on.”
One exciting addition this year is the introduction of a coffee chat initiative. Each mentee and mentor received a $5 gift card from the Office of Undergraduate Studies to enjoy a coffee meetup. This initiative aims to provide a casual setting for students to connect in person, fostering stronger bonds and open communication. Students coordinate their meetups, allowing for flexibility and ensuring that these interactions fit into their schedules.
“We are excited to get feedback from this and hope to continue to incorporate [the coffee chat] in future years if students enjoy it,” said Salma.
Truly a Student-Driven Program
But what makes this program unique is that it is driven by the feedback received by students. At the end of the academic year, the program asks for feedback from participants through a comprehensive survey to help Salma understand what aspects of the program were successful and what areas need improvement.
“In determining what worked well for the program and what we might adjust for the following year, we take into consideration feedback from our students,” Salma said. “We will reevaluate at the end of the year if having a self-led program this year worked better for our students or if we need to change it up for the next school year.”
To learn more about the Advising Mentorship Program, including how to get involved, you may email [email protected].
