Nursing students get mentors
Shannon Allen
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: News
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The ENSTEPS program was established in 2004 by a group of minority students.
ENSTEPS stands for Ethnic, Nursing, Students, Together targeting, Excellence, Professionalism, Success. It is an organization that promotes the success of nursing students, specifically minority students.
Established in fall of 2005, Caring through Sharing consists of 30 mentors and more than 30 nursing students.
The program is designed to institute a one-on-one relationship between nurse and student.
To become part of Caring through Sharing, both student and mentor must fill out an application. Students must be enrolled in the College of Nursing and show a level of commitment and desire to have a mentor.
Mentors in the program come from many different fields. Administration, nurse practitioner, education and critical care, are just some of the areas of expertise.
Akosua Karikari, a junior in the College of Nursing, was introduced to the program when she had class with some of the young women who started ENSTEPS. "I have somebody to look up to," Karikari said.
La-Vern V. Sutton, the director of recruitment within the College of Nursing, oversaw the start of both the ENSTEP organization as well as Caring through Sharing.
"What the mentors bring is wealth of experience, wisdom, knowledge, advice and, most of all, how to be successful because they have been there, done that," Sutton said.
Mentors and students are required to meet or communicate on a monthly basis. Many students utilize their mentors by talking to them several times a month.
Mentors serve as both a teacher and a guide to their students. Many times a mentor will act as a professional adviser as well as a personal friend to their students.
Such things as going out to dinner or movies are some of the activities students and mentors engage in together.
Students also are able to get real world experience in the field of nursing when they shadow their mentors in their work place or at professional meetings. "It gives you a view of what it takes to be a nurse" LaShonda Jones said, a sophomore nursing student.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Angie
posted 1/27/07 @ 11:30 AM EST
This story was well written and very informative.
Cherie Isely
posted 1/27/07 @ 7:30 PM EST
Good job Shannon!!! That was a very nicely written article and as a nurse, I found it very informative. Sounds like a good program for all nursing schools to have! I'm proud of your journalism skills!
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