Breakthrough To Nursing (BTN)

• 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 spark into about nursing. I am aiming my effort to men and individuals in under privileged populations. As the Break Through 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!

• 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 and 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.

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!

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.