MentorLink

Program Overview

MentorLink is designed to develop partnerships between mentors and mentees within the KCNA nursing community. This strengthens our community by creating connections, fostering a sense of belonging and supporting the future of the nursing profession. It also provides a way for experienced nurses to guide, support and be role models. The program is a no-cost benefit for KCNA members and current-year KCNA scholarship recipients only.

Program Goals

• Provide support to KCNA scholarship recipients as they enter the nursing workforce.
• Provide support to KCNA members who are new grads or new to a position.
• Engage students and new grads in KCNA.
• Provide a way for experienced nurses to share their experiences and make an impact.

How the Program Works

With information gathered from applications, staff and a task force committee strive to make the best matches. Matches are made based on experiences, interests and other factors rather than on nursing specialty.  Research shows that mentees gain valuable tacit knowledge from mentoring relationships -- not specialized skills or subject-matter expertise. Once the matches have been made, KCNA provides orientation materials for the teams. Each team meets to set the ground rules for their partnership. For example, we encourage teams to establish preferred methods of communication, time commitment and specific goals. The program is meant to be engaging and fun.

Mentees are:

• KCNA nursing scholarship recipients 
• KCNA members who are new graduates
• KCNA members who are new to a position

Mentors are:

• KCNA members who are experienced in their field and have a desire to be role models, provide advice, be supportive and share their knowledge and experience with others.
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

1.) What is the time commitment of the mentoring program?

Teams are expected to communicate with one another at least once a month. Teams will decide their preferred method:  in-person, email, text, phone calls, etc. All participants are asked to participate in the evaluation of the program.

2.) What can I expect from the mentor/mentee experience?
The mentorship program offers support not included in nursing education programs—the “soft skills” of being a RN. Mentors provide relational, cultural, emotional and social support. Successful teams are the ones where mentor and the mentee are equally engaged, having fun, communicating and striving to make the experience a positive one. 

The program is designed to match teams based upon experience, not nursing specialty. This enables us to make more matches and serve more nurses. There is knowledge and know-how that apply across the nursing profession, regardless of specialty, and these are what the program is designed to provide.

Let’s take a closer look at what a mentor may provide: 

A mentor may be able to:

o   Answer questions about being a student or novice nurse.

o   Listen and understand the mentee’s stressors and successes of their clinical or work experiences.

o   Provide advice about balancing the responsibilities of work, home, and school

o   Provide advice on the job search process

o   Give tips on job interview process and skills

o   Provide advice on transitioning into a new position

What a mentor is not:

o   A professional counselor or therapist

o   A nursing instructor

o   A clinical or technical skills instructor

o   A nurse recruiter

o   NCLEX expert or instructor

3.) What types of support and training will I have if I agree to participate?

KCNA will send an orientation PowerPoint outlining goals and objectives of the program as well as best practices in mentoring. You'll also receive fun MentorLink swag and a Starbucks gift card to facilitate your team meeting. A KCNA “point person” is available for questions while you are working with your mentor/mentee. We want to support you in your role! There is no cost to participate in this program.

4.) I’d like more information or want to speak with someone directly. Who can I contact?

Please contact the KCNA staff directly:

Karen Muth-Pasco, Member Services Director, karen@kcnurses.org, (206)545-0603 

or Jennifer Bravo, Executive Director, jennifer@kcnurses.org, (206)545-0603

Ready to get started? Complete the Mentor/Mentee Application Form above.