NurseMentor particpants, Faculty of Nursing at UCalgary

Be a mentor to the upcoming generation

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Are you a registered nurse and an alumnus of UCalgary Nursing?

Give back and be inspired. Mentors say the energy and enthusiasm of the next generation of nurses is an inspiration, and a reminder of why they became a nurse in the first place.

If you have a passion for helping a student nurse and your experience has given you knowledge that would help someone starting out, consider mentoring a student. Your guidance could help them transition to the field with confidence and pride in their profession.

"I have not had the benefit of consistent mentoring in my career and felt I never learned the types of soft skills to maintain and establish a network when I was starting out. I’d love to share my insight of all the things I have had to learn on my own and hoping to help a student / new nurse realize their potential."

Winnie Tam, BN'09

RN and mentor in 2020

Mentorship Matters

Mentorship is a passion for me that has been part of my career from the beginning. I have mentored many mentees, and I have been a mentee multiple times over the years.

"I believe mentorship is one of the most important paths to self-enrichment and growth as a professional while providing the same for another. The mutual gain that results from a mentor-mentee relationship is often equally beneficial to both parties, thus making mentorship one of my most significant career decisions."

Fadumo Robinson

Fadumo Robinson [BSW, MN, RN]

Associate Chief Nursing Officer & Collaborative Care Lead, Alberta Health Services

Your role as a nurse mentor

Role model & confidant

This role is different from a preceptor, a tutor, an instructor or a counselor. You will engage with your mentee to provide an environment of mutual trust, openness and respect.

Your mentee should feel free to ask questions and explore ideas. Mentors provide encouragement, support and constructive comments that contribute to their mentees’ professional growth.

Commitment & resources

As a mentor, you will mentor a current nursing student from September to April. This typically involves a time commitment of two to three hours per month.

You and your mentee will exchange regular messages through our secure website and through other means as you choose. Mentors share personal experiences, ask questions, explore common interests and engage in a little small talk to build the relationship.

Mentors provide guidance, support and a window into nursing in the real world — all of which have enormous value for mentees.

Sharing passion & wisdom

Many alumni nurses say they've found immense personal and professional satisfaction from providing support and advice to nursing students.

NurseMentor is an opportunity to share your passion and wisdom with someone just entering the profession, and to help them learn and grow as they face the challenges of that transition.

For many nursing alumni, this is an opportunity to reconnect with the Faculty of Nursing and learn more about current initiatives. For those interested in enhancing their leadership and teaching skills, there are great learning opportunities in those areas as well.

Nursing faculty student and mentor, University of Calgary

A friend and a confidant

Laura believes nursing students have a pressing need for mentors because their career path starts fast and is predetermined. It's a challenging career choice, and an honourable one.

Read her story

Have questions about becoming a mentor? Contact the NurseMentor team today