Georgia Association of Nursing Students

GANS Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN) focuses on the recruitment and retention of nurses in the state of Georgia. The goal of BTN is to encourage a culturally diverse group of men and women to explore a career in the nursing profession.  Nursing is a profession of leadership and mentorship; we want to support all individuals in finding and exhibiting these qualities as a nurse.

In nursing, we encourage diversity! We seek to recruit students from various minority groups as well as those from traditional and non-traditional academic backgrounds.  As a nurse, we want to encourage those to be a part of a profession that embraces exploration of the various variables between individuals in their community and society, as well as advocate on behalf of those of underserved populations.  There are so many opportunities in the nursing profession; we encourage you to explore the different facets and find the one that is right for you!

Project Ideas for Chapters:

• 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.