Creating a Sustainable Clinical Adjunct Faculty Mentorship Program

Abstract

Background: A mentoring program supports people to manage their own learning needs so that they may maximize their potential in the clinical setting. The mentorship program paired newly hired clinical faculty, waivered faculty, and/or clinical faculty who request it, with senior colleagues in the nursing program. The mentor/mentee pair met throughout the academic year to work toward goals that they develop together and are required in the job description for clinical adjunct instructors. Monthly meetings were required. A final summary meeting occurred face to face. The mentor completed a progress note during each meeting with a final summary note sheet completed at the end of the mentoring period. Offering stipends to full-time faculty assists with faculty engagement. Mentoring is a powerful tool that helps new clinical faculty achieve personal and professional goals.