An Innovative Distance-Based Mentorship Program for Nurse Practitioner Student-Alumni Pairs.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Little research exists on mentoring programs for nurse practitioner (NP) students. This pilot project aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a distance program with NP alumni mentoring NP students across the United States. Mentor-mentee pairs (113) were hand-matched and surveyed at six months to collect program data. Most mentees wanted more job-hunting and resume-writing tips; mentors were interested in receiving strategies for mentoring and calendar reminders of important school events. Alumni were interested in helping prepare future NPs by serving as mentors but needed training. Distance mentorship programs may require additional structured guidelines and resources to facilitate success.