Lab mentors in a two-plus-two nursing program: A retrospective evaluation

Peer mentorships improve learning outcomes, student satisfaction, and confidence levels in undergraduate nursing students. In addition, volunteering as a mentor supports leadership development and proficiency in nursing skills. This article retrospectively evaluates an educational intervention using peer mentors in a 2-plus-2 undergraduate nursing program. Students enrolled in this program take prerequisite classes at a community college, then enter the baccalaureate program at the junior level and begin their nursing courses, completing all course work on the community college campus. Senior nursing students mentored the incoming junior students during their first semester as they practiced essential nursing skills in the clinical learning lab. Junior nursing students participating in this mentorship program expressed increased confidence and decreased anxiety levels while practicing clinical skills with mentors. Senior lab mentors valued the opportunity to support junior students in skills practice, and believed participation in the mentorship program improved their own nursing skills. There are several potential benefits of extending peer mentorships to the clinical lab setting for this unique student population as they transition to a baccalaureate nursing program.