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Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN)


BTN Convention Project

Follow the link above to view details about the Breakthrough to Nursing project for GANS 58th Annual Convention. This year, we are focusing on increasing the awareness and participation in the National Bone Marrow Registry.

BTN Project Update:

The GANS GTN Project was geared towards afterschool teen girls who are overcoming barriers and stereotypes in technology, math, and science. The TGI Tech of Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) program provides girls with innovative learning opportunities to raise their interest, confidence, and competence in these areas while helping them develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. TGI Tech prepares young women to enter a world of non-traditional, technology-related careers. The basis of this project was intended to overcome barriers and stigmas that have been capitalized on in the field of nursing. This was done in the form of a short PowerPoint presentation followed by discussion to share ideas on how various professions can be satisfied in the field of nursing. Things that the girls benefited form was a greater awareness of the process of becoming a registered nurse (RN). Many of the negative myths and perceptions that the teen girls had of the nurse’s role were dispelled.

GANS Ignite Dream (.pdf)

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Projects in the Making:

This year, the focus will be targeted to the community. We who are starting or finishing our nursing education ought to think about who inspired us to embark on such an outstanding profession. Now think about whom we can ignite a spar into about nursing. I am aiming my effort to men and individuals in underprivileged populations. As the Breakthrough to Nursing Director, I am asking for nursing students across the state to think about ways that this can be put into action. I hope that the information below will allow you to become creative in upcoming projects for an NSNA award this spring. Thank you so much in advance for all your efforts.

Projects ideas for your chapter:

  • Plan activities for local Boy/Girl Scouts
    • Review patches that may involve nursing, first aid, or safety
  • Plan school visits for all education levels
  • Be present at each of your college’s new student orientation of visit days
  • Participate in local health screenings, and provide nursing materials for participants
  • Help to set up/re-establish mentoring groups at your college
  • Participate in local health fairs
    • This is a great chance to promote nursing. Don’t forget to bring educational materials, including school applications.

School Spotlight:

Planning an exceptional BTN event? GANS would like to hear about it! E-mail gans.btn@gmail.com with your event details along with any pictures. Then, be on the lookout to see if your project is spotlighted on the website or EKG newsletter!

Quick Facts About Mentoring Others:

What is a mentor? A mentor is a wise and trusted advisor and helper to an inexperienced person.

What is mentoring? Mentoring is a two-way relationship involving a mentor and a mentee. Each person shares responsibility in this relationship. Success cannot be achieved without effort and commitment on both sides.

Benefits of mentoring?

  • Fosters caring and supportive relationships
  • Encourages individuals to develop to their full potential
  • Helps an individual to develop his/her vision for the future
  • Helps develop active community partnerships
  • Both parties gain access to information, ideas and
    ways of doing things
  • Open respect and admiration
  • Intellectual stimulation
  • Multiple strategies, alternative approaches

Suggestions for beginning a mentoring program/project:

  • Peer-to-Peer:

- During your school orientations, you can gather a list of new
students who may be interested in being mentored, as well as upperclassmen that may be interested in becoming a mentor. (Be sure to establish the responsibilities of the mentee and mentor).

-Start open study sessions held by upper classmen were students
could come and get study tips, help with clinical questions, etc….

-Evaluate the needs of the students on your campus and form your
project/program around those needs. Be fun and creative.

  • Mentoring in the community:

-Select a school (e.g. elementary, middle, high school), Boys & Girls club, YMCA, or any youth organization with whom you can partner. (Particularly in an underserved, diverse area) BTN focuses on increasing diversity within the nursing profession through exposing minority, male and underserved populations to the nursing profession.

-Once an organization is selected, establish a contact person (e.g. guidance counselors, health occupation instructors, school nurse, etc.).

  • Name of Organization
  • Contact Person
  • Phone Number
  • Best Time to Call
  • E-mail

-Identify projects or areas of need where nursing students can volunteer.

-Continuous weekly mentoring

-Pair up nursing students from your university/college with children from your partner organization. Set up a weekly meeting place and time for each nursing student to meet with his/her mentee.

OR

-Schedule a weekly meeting time and place and send a different nursing student from your university/college each week to meet with a group of students (i.e. an after school health club).

-Fall Semester Event-health promotion teaching (e.g. disease prevention)

-Spring Semester Event-career fair (e.g. a class presentation or allowing a student to shadow).

Recruiting RN’s to mentor senior students and/or new grads:

  • Find out if the hospital you are interested in working at has a mentorship program for new grads in place, if not look into starting one.
  • If you know of a nurse in the area in which you would like to work, that exemplifies the qualities of a good mentor, see if you can shadow them on a couple of shifts.
  • Visit GNA’s website and join the new graduate chapter soon as you graduate!

These are just a few ideas to help you get started in the right direction with your mentoring project. When planning, just remember to establish the expectations of the mentors and mentees, be creative, and have fun.