Mentorship plays a critical role in shaping the nursing profession, offering a bridge between experience and growth across all stages of a nurse’s career. Over the past year, the American Nurses Association of New York (ANA-NY), with leadership from members of the Young Professionals Special Interest Group (SIG), have been developing a structured mentorship program designed to strengthen that bridge across its statewide community.

The initiative emerged from a clear and recurring need: nurses—both those entering the profession and those with years of experience—often seek guidance, connection, and professional support beyond what is available in their immediate work environments. For newer nurses, this can mean navigating transition-to-practice challenges such as burnout, confidence gaps, and “transition shock.” For more experienced nurses, it may involve identifying leadership pathways, staying connected to evolving practices, or re-engaging with professional organizations. For both, it could be finding a sense of belonging or finding a place and purpose amongst the community. As the mentorship subgroup and members of the Young Professionals SIG, we designed this program to address these needs, and to help individuals find their support system.

We have focused on building a structured framework that supports both mentors and mentees. The program emphasizes mutual growth: mentors are expected to provide guidance, share insights, and support goal-setting, while mentees are encouraged to take an active role in defining objectives, preparing for discussions, and tracking their progress. Both participants are expected to uphold professionalism, confidentiality, and the ANA Code of Ethics, reinforcing a foundation of trust and accountability. Many of us have been either mentors or mentees within our profession, whether it be through work, through school, or simply in the community. Our goal and vision for this program was to bring a sense of belonging and support, and a way to find a purpose or path amongst the nursing community of New York State.

What we love about this program is that we are aiming to be open to both mentors and mentees of all experience. We believe that no matter where you are in your career, nursing is an ever-changing community, where there is so much growth and opportunity everywhere. So, whether you are someone who is looking to go back to school after being a bedside nurse for 15 years, or a new nurse pursuing a position in leadership, you can be a mentor or mentee at any stage. According to Merriam-Webster, a mentor is someone who is “a trusted counselor or guide.” A mentor is someone who is experienced, and offers guidance, support, and wisdom to a less experienced person in personal, academic, or professional growth.

Behind the scenes, much of the program’s development has been driven by a dedicated mentorship subgroup. This group is responsible not only for coordinating matches, but also for designing orientation materials, organizing programming, collecting feedback, and continuously refining the structure. Our role reflects an ongoing commitment to ensuring the program remains responsive to participant needs while aligning with ANA-NY’s broader mission.

The structure of the program reflects a balance between consistency and flexibility. We decided to implement a six-month cycle, scheduled from May through November, providing enough time for relationships to develop while remaining manageable for participants. This allows the opportunity for the pairs to meet up in person at the annual conference. Within that timeframe, mentor–mentee pairs are encouraged to meet regularly—typically on a monthly basis—while retaining the flexibility to adjust based on their schedules and goals.

A significant portion of the development process has centered on the matching system. To create more meaningful pairings, prospective mentors and mentees will complete tailored applications designed to capture their goals, interests, and professional backgrounds. These applications will be reviewed by the mentorship subgroup, which will facilitate matches with an emphasis on compatibility and shared objectives. While no matching system can guarantee perfect alignment, the process has been intentionally designed to move beyond surface-level criteria and support more productive relationships.

In addition to one-on-one engagement, the program incorporates broader activities intended to enhance the experience. These include an orientation session to establish expectations, a halfway check-in to check progress and offer guidance, if need be, and end-of-program evaluations. We will also encourage and share virtual workshops and opportunities to engage with ANA-NY events, creating multiple entry points for professional development and community involvement.

Evaluation and sustainability have been key considerations throughout the planning process. The program includes a halfway check-in and a post-program survey to assess participant satisfaction, communication, goal progression, and overall impact. These insights will inform future iterations, allowing the program to evolve over time. In parallel, efforts to sustain the initiative—such as ongoing mentor recruitment, recognition of participants, and integration with ANA-NY communications and events—have been built into the framework from the onset. We know that this is the first mentorship program of ANA-NY, and the first wave, so all feedback is appreciated and will be taken into consideration to help better the program for the future.

At its core, the mentorship program represents more than a single initiative. It reflects a broader effort to foster professional growth, leadership development, and a more connected nursing community across New York State. By taking a structured, feedback-driven approach, ANA-NY is working to create a program that not only supports individual participants but also contributes to the long-term strength and engagement of the profession as a whole. The national mentorship program helps build professional identity, but ANA-NY mentorship will help build local leadership, have a strong, local impact, and build a sense of belonging and likeness amongst New York State nurses. By establishing this program, ANA-NY affirms that nurses in New York are not just members — but part of a connected, supported, and empowered community.