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SMART--Student Mentoring: Achieving & Reaching Together
Be SMART
SMART (Student Mentoring: Achieving & Reaching Together) is a new
component of the Members Mentoring Members (MMM) program. Students
mentoring students, or peer mentoring, is an alternative to traditional
hierarchical mentoring. Peer mentoring has several advantages:
- the mentor has greater understanding of day to day problems,
experiences, stresses
- the protégé may be more willing to share problems with a
peer than with faculty or a senior PT or PTA
- peers are collaborators, colleagues-sharing insights and
problem-solving (1).
In the academic setting, there is already a community containing the
elements of guidance, networking, interaction with peers, and faculty
relationships (2). Student-to-student mentoring enhances this existing
community. And, peer mentoring has very specific purposes and goals.
Student peer mentoring has been described as a way to develop
"collaborative survival skills in educational processes. (3)" It
provides a sense of belonging, being acknowledged, and feeling
validated.3 Student mentors can provide tips, tools, and encouragement
that can reduce stress and provide confidence. Student mentors have been
where you are, they have successfully navigated to the next level, and
they have an understanding of exactly what you are experiencing.
Student-to-student mentoring should be a noncompetitive, nurturing
process. The mentor needs to be honest and trustworthy so that both
mentor and protégé forge a relationship based on shared
experiences and open communication.
Note: Peer mentoring, though, does not exclude the obtaining of a more
experienced mentor. Both are important. Different needs different
mentors.
Be
a SMART Mentor...
Seek
a SMART Mentor!
For more information, e-mail Johnette Meadows at
johnettemeadows@apta.org.
References
- Subha Ramani, Larry Gruppen, Elizabeth Krajic Kachur. Twelve tips
for developing effective mentors. Medical Teacher [serial online].
2006;28:404. Available from: ProQuest Information and Learning, Ann
Arbor, Mi. Accessed August 1, 2007, Document ID: 1158384151.
- Elaine A Gardner, Cheryl K Schmidt. Implementing a Leadership Course
and Mentor Model for Students in the National Student Nurses'
Association. Nurse Educator [serial online]. 1 July32:178. Available
from: ProQuest Information and Learning, Ann Arbor, Mi. Accessed August
29, 2007, Document ID: 1321994691
- Glass N, Walter R. An experience of peer mentoring with student
nurses: enhancement of personal and professional growth. Journal of
Nursing Education [serial online]. 2000;39:155-60. Available from:
ProQuest Information and Learning, Ann Arbor, Mi. Accessed August 1,
2007, Document ID: 55467940
05/10/2008
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