Teaching and Learning Strategies
Nursing is challenging, and even more difficult to learn terminologies, body parts, and new skills. As an instructor, I know that some students may feel intimidated due to my role. In 2019 I created a peer mentorship program called PASS- Peer Assisting Students Services. The peer mentorship program allows students who have completed a course to become a mentor to other students. Peer mentors provide additional support to instructors in the lab settings. They also contacted persons the students may reach one-on-one to get tips and ideas on studying and preparing for their upcoming exams or assessments. Mentors were aware not to share confidential exam information. Mentors were also mindful of the possibility of attending open labs and supporting instructors and received additional resources needed to prepare them for the labs.
My goals for mentors are to provide increased academic skills and confidence and gain the satisfaction of guiding and supporting another individual while developing leadership and mentoring skills for themselves to take with them out into the workforce. Another objective is to allow our hard-working and successful students to participate in mentorship to help build their communication and leadership skills while reflecting on their abilities to teach and learn from others.
The benefit for the mentees is building a relationship with another student to whom they can relate or who relates to their current situation—helping the mentee to build confidence in their ability to perform a skill. Along with ways to help increase their understanding of school materials.