Goal 2 FNU’s Professional Organizational Mentoring Program Creates Bond Between Faculty and Students

Frontier Nursing University introduced its Professional Organizational Mentoring Program (POMP) in 2018 for the purpose of creating stronger interaction and connection between students and faculty. POMP matches FNU faculty with nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students from underrepresented groups to provide support and mentorship. The program allows students to join a professional organization in their field, as well as gives them the opportunity to attend a professional conference with their mentors. Conference registration and professional membership fees are covered for all faculty mentors and student mentees selected.

In 2022, faculty mentors and their student mentees attended six professional conferences in person:

• American College of Nurse-Midwives conference attendees: 1 faculty and 1 student

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners conference attendees: 3 faculty and 3 students

• American Association of Birth Centers conference:

1 faculty and 2 students

• National Black Nurses Association conference:

2 faculty and 3 students

• American Psychiatric Nurses Association conference:

1 faculty and 2 students

• Gay & Lesbian Medical Association conference:

1 faculty and 1 student

“The opportunity to attend the (American Psychiatric Nurses Association) national conference with an FNU mentor was invaluable to me,” said an FNU student mentee. “During the conference, knowing that I was not attending alone provided me with a needed level of confidence to participate as a student. This was especially beneficial when it came to attending the state chapter session. Because of my mentor’s insight into the value of these meetings, I was able to connect with my state-level leadership and other student members seeking support as soon-to-be new providers. I thank the Office of DEI for selecting me for this opportunity and for allowing me the chance to get to know my mentor and other psychiatric-mental health professionals better.”

Frontier faculty selected to serve as mentors attend a mentoring session facilitated by the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN. After the session, faculty meet with their mentee(s) to develop goals and objectives for the mentoring relationship, arrange times to meet during the conference, review the conference program together, and arrange at least one mentor-mentee networking event. During the conference, the mentor meets with their mentee(s), and after the conference, there is at least one meeting where a summary of the activities is completed and submitted to the office of DEI.

“I had a great time connecting with my student and providing guidance with navigating the clinical setting as a student of color as well as being a sounding board to provide opportunities to uplift and empower the student,” said Dr. Dorsena Gayle, CNP, CNM, who attended the Black Nurses Association conference with her mentee. “I think the great thing about the POMP program is that it really allows the students to have unlimited one-on-one access to that particular faculty in an engaging environment.”