Attracting Nurses from Across the World
“Mentoring occurs when a senior person (the mentor) in terms of age and experience undertakes to provide information, advice and emotional support for a junior person (the protégé) in a relationship lasting over an extended period of time and marked by substantial emotional commitment by both parties. If the opportunity presents itself, the mentor also uses both formal and informal forms of influence to further the career of the protégé.” (Bowen, 1985)
Miriam Walsh, RN, a former nurse manager at BWH, established the Diversity Mentorship Program in 1996. Walsh, who successfully mentored staff nurses from diverse backgrounds throughout her 35 years of service, had a vision to create a program at BWH through which nursing students of diverse backgrounds could spend their summer months learning the ropes at BWH under the guidance of nurse mentors.
“I think Miriam found her mentoring experience very rewarding and wanted other nurses at BWH to share in that,” said Dorothy Bradley, program manager for the Faculty Model, Nursing Professional Development and a former clinical educator for the program.
“Miriam saw the value in having nurses from a variety of backgrounds at BWH, so the program was designed to serve as a recruitment tool as well,” added Marsha Tahquechi, assistant nurse manager for Cultural Diversity.
The Diversity Mentorship Program is offered once a year in the summer months for junior and senior nursing students. Students are required to submit a letter of intent and three references to be considered for the program. Approximately 10 to 13 students are accepted each summer. During their time with the Diversity Mentorship Program, students are paired with a nurse mentor to guide them throughout their training with particular emphasis on the role of the professional nurse. They attend weekly meetings, seminars and discussions, working 32 to 40 hours every week and earning a patient care assistant (PCA) wage. Following the program, many students are hired as PCAs until they finish school and pass their Boards, at which time they interview and are generally brought in as newly licensed nurses (NLNs).
“My mentor was wonderful,” said Linda Nwosu, a senior at UMass-Amherst, who participated in the program this past summer and now works as a PCA at BWH. “She was someone I could really connect with. I always felt comfortable asking her questions. She really helped me to see the whole picture in nursing. We still keep in touch by email.”
Nwosu, who is originally from Nigeria and has been in the United States for six years, will complete her bachelor’s degree in Nursing this May. After passing her Boards, she hopes to join BWH on a full-time basis as an NLN.
“I just hope more nurses will become mentors as this program grows,” said Nwosu. “It is definitely a rewarding experience. I would love to be a mentor myself in the future.”
The Diversity Mentorship Program has seen tremendous results in recruiting NLNs since its inception. In 2001, more than 90 percent of program participants joined BWH as full-time nurses. According to Tahquechi, the program expects similar results in 2002.
“Increasing diversity in the nursing staff at the Brigham is just awesome,” said Nwosu. “It’s great to be able to best serve diverse patients through greater understanding.”
“This program is really helping us change the cultural climate at BWH,” said Bradley.
As BWH prepares for this summer’s Diversity Mentorship Program, BWH nurses are encouraged to help recruit interested candidates. Also, veteran nurses interested in serving as mentors in the program should contact Marsha Tahquechi at 617-525-6634 or via email (mtahquechi@partners.org).