National Nurses Week is May 6-12, an opportune time to highlight Davenport University’s Nurse Mentor Program.
Listening to the wants and needs of those in one’s care is the mark of a great nurse and of a great teacher. So, it’s only natural that nursing faculty at Davenport University would take notice when students expressed an interest in learning from those who graduated before them.
The students specifically asked for support from those who know what it is like to go through Davenport’s rigorous nursing program. They were looking for mentoring, as well as mental health guidance and professional networking opportunities. Davenport nursing faculty, Amanda Alemdar, Carrie Monaghan and Cassie Cummings recognized the great idea as soon as it was presented to them.
“We strive to meet the needs of our students, and creating a support system for those in our nursing program is another way to do that,” said Alemdar. “The three of us brainstormed what the program would look like and enlisted the help of Whitney Rivest, director of Alumni and Donor Engagement at Davenport, to identify nursing alumni who may be interested in serving as mentors. Whitney was instrumental in helping us get the Nurse Mentor Program off the ground.”
The pilot Nurse Mentor Program launched in January 2023 with the mission to connect Davenport alumni RNs with current nursing students to foster meaningful connections, reduce stress and anxiety and enhance social support.
“We were thrilled to have 10 partnerships (10 students and 10 mentors) that first year,” said Alemdar. “This past academic year, the number of partnerships grew to 16, doubling our initial projection.”
Alemdar, Monaghan and Cummings have created a multi-faceted program, consisting of group activities and one-on-one encounters with mentors and mentees.
Nurse Mentor Program group events take place about four times a year on Davenport’s W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus and include a fall meet and greet where students and their mentors can connect in person, as well as informational presentations during popular Facts and Snacks events.
“Individual sessions are highly encouraged and an important part of the program,” said Monaghan. “They are designed to strengthen the relationship between students and their mentors, and can take place in person, over the phone, or via FaceTime, and are completely mentor/mentee driven.”
Participants are provided monthly topic guides to help facilitate meaningful one-on-one conversations. Topics have included how to build interpersonal skills, taking initiative, taking time for self-care and how to deal with challenges.
“Most recently, we sent participants gift cards and a topic guide to encourage them to connect in person over coffee or their favorite beverage,” said Alemdar. “We call it Coffee, Tea and Quality, and it’s another fun way to encourage conversation.”
No one knows the benefits of the Nurse Mentor Program better than Gabby Quackenbush. She was one of the first students to participate in the pilot program and has returned as a mentor. Quackenbush graduated from Davenport’s nursing program in 2023 and is now working in pediatrics at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
“I was a student not long ago, so I know exactly what current students are going through, and what their challenges are,” said Quackenbush. “I am confident in my ability to be a good mentor to these future nurses and am excited to help guide them in the best way possible.”
One topic Quackenbush feels strongly about is mental wellness, so when she was asked to speak to the Nurse Mentor group during a Facts and Snacks event, she partnered with staff from Davenport’s Wellness Center to create a presentation on strategies to promote a healthy school/work/life balance and tips for managing time and obligations. She also provided personal insight on how she managed stress during her senior year and how she handled the transition from full-time college student to full-time RN.
Nursing student and member of Davenport’s Pom Team, Jennifer Pyka, appreciates Quackenbush and the other mentors for graciously sharing their time and experiences. Pyka will be a senior in the fall and has been active in the Nurse Mentor Program since its inception.
“I have been blessed with fantastic mentors. They know what I’m going through, because they’ve been through it too,” said Pyka. “I have been able to form solid relationships with my mentors and feel comfortable talking to them about how I’m feeling. They have made me feel seen and validated. They have given me study tips and even helped me study. I also enjoy listening to them talk about their work experiences because it helps me prepare for life after school.”
After Pyka graduates next year, she hopes to work as an emergency room nurse. For now, she has her sights set on her last year of nursing school and looks forward to strengthening her relationship with the nursing faculty and her Nurse Mentor Program mentors.
Wendy Paz graduated in April and participated in the Nurse Mentor Program from the beginning. She found the Snacks and Facts events to be very beneficial, especially the presentations on how to take care of her own mental health and tips on how to prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
“My mentors were very encouraging and checked in with me often to see how things were going. They reminded me to take time for myself, listened when I needed to vent, and gave advice when I needed it,” said Paz. “Since they had already been through the nursing program, they were familiar with the concepts we were learning, and it was great to have someone to lean on who had already ‘been there and done that’.”
Paz said she really enjoyed the Nurse Mentor Program and encourages other Davenport nursing students to join. “The program was great, and I made so many connections,” said Paz. “My mentor wasn’t just my mentor, she is also a friend.”
Paz is currently studying for the NCLEX, the final exam for all nurses, and is eager to begin her nursing career.
“The Nurse Mentor Program is a real testament to the dedication and passion of these remarkable faculty members, said Deb Bosworth, Davenport Nursing Program director. ”I’m incredibly proud of their work, vision and leadership, and it’s wonderful that we can support our students in this way.”
Alemdar, Monaghan and Cummings are pleased with the program’s growth thus far and are eager to watch the program, the mentors and the students continue to blossom and thrive. They are expecting several grads from the class of 2025 to return as mentors, ensuring the program’s sustainability for years to come.
Davenport nursing students or nursing alumni interested in the Nurse Mentor Program can email NurseMentorProgram@davenport.edu.
To learn more about Davenport’s nursing program, click here.
Cookie delivery for mentors in the Nurse Mentor Program during National Nurses Week
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