MENTEE EXPERIENCE: ACROSS TIME AND SPACE

Purposes/Aims: To describe a minority student’s mentee experience that started with an applied research faculty mentor in an undergraduate Research Scholars’ program located in one state and that is continuing into a PhD program located in another state.  By chance a new primary mentor from the PhD program faculty was mentored by the same applied research mentor. The resulting current mentee experience could be described as resonant, having tapped into a deep, rich vibrant resource.

Rationale/Background: The offering of undergraduate research experience through a scholars’ program is one approach to foster development of a scientific workforce where early exposure to the potential of research to significantly impact the health of those our profession serves can shape a career path. This case study examines the successful outcome of a baccalaureate nursing research scholar program that exceeded expectations in preparing a minority nursing student on the path of academia.

Mentorship began in the baccalaureate setting with a practiced nursing research faculty member, continued as the student entered a master’s program in another state, and is now contributing to the transference of mentorship into a doctoral program is a key factor in the professional development path.

Outcomes achieved/documented: Successful mentorship entailed multiple steps and methods to include face-to-face, telephonic communication, electronic correspondence and mentorship transference. The student achievements included local, regional, national and international presentations as well as a publication in a peer-reviewed nursing journal prior to graduating from the baccalaureate program. The mentee is currently engaged in a class taught by the new primary mentor, who is facilitating knowledge expansion and in-depth thought processes about the theoretical underpinnings for the proposed dissertation study. 

Conclusions: Mentorship with aims to increase minority nursing faculty should consider expanding the mentorship beyond the walls of the institution and program to continue through completion with possible transference from one mentor and/or one institution to another.