Author: Edmund Walsh, PhD(c), MScN, RN
Chair, ALSN Mentorship Program
The ALSN Mentorship Program connects emerging and established nurse leaders across practice and academia. Below is a brief overview of how the program began, how matching works, and how to join the 2026 cohort.
Origins
Discussions about developing a mentorship program as part of ALSN began in 2020, initially to meet the needs of members transitioning from practice to academia. The idea gained traction, and in 2022, a task force was established to develop the ALSN Mentorship Program as an initiative of the Membership Committee.
Under the leadership of task force chair Dr. Shelly Fischer, with support from members Dr. Diane Andrews and Dr. Ana Stoehr, the purpose of the program expanded. It became clear that there was broader demand for leadership mentorship beyond the transition from practice to academia. By the launch of the initial cohort in 2023, the program was offered to emerging leaders and established leaders in practice and academia.
Those transitioning into their first or a new leadership role were encouraged to participate. Whether a graduate student planning their next career step or a mid-career leader seeking mentorship on a complex project from a senior leader, participants could be paired with a mentor suited to their goals. We are excited to have our third cohort begin next month.
Our Why
As an organization dedicated to advancing nursing leadership science, ALSN is uniquely positioned to facilitate leadership mentorship. Furthermore, it helps the Membership Committee fulfill its mandate to increase the value of ALSN membership. We are fortunate to have members with wide-ranging experiences and expertise, who can make a significant impact on nursing leadership science by mentoring others.
New employees may feel hesitant to fully engage with mentors in their workplace. The ALSN program provides mentorship outside of one’s employment organization, offering a more objective and neutral space where participants can discuss challenges openly. At the same time, workplace mentorship opportunities are sometimes short-lived. However, the ALSN program offers a sustained experience and allows participants to register again in subsequent years.
The Program
Each year at the international conference, we open a call for interest in being mentored or serving as a mentor for the following calendar year. The program is a member benefit at no extra cost for mentees. Without our extraordinary mentors, the program could not exist. We deeply appreciate the mentors who make time for mentees despite busy work lives and competing priorities.
Our mentor-mentee matching process involves mentees completing a detailed survey about their goals, professional interests, and employment. The Mentorship Program Committee carefully reviews this information and compares it with available mentors, sometimes reaching out to additional members to ensure the best match. Once a mentee fit is proposed and agreed upon by the mentor, introductions are made by email.
The program is grounded in theory, drawing on Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory and Duchscher’s Theory of Transition Shock. We host a one-hour orientation session on Zoom to explain program guidelines and share tools, including the Mentor/Mentee Partnership Agreement and the Mentee Action Plan template. From there, the program is driven by the mentor and mentee. Each pair can tailor their experience, including meeting frequency, duration, and recordkeeping. The committee helps if challenges arise and also evaluates and aims to improve the program each year.
What We’ve Heard
The program has been well-received by ALSN members. While acknowledging that the sample size is limited and some mentor-mentee relationships do not work out, 2025 program evaluation data present a positive picture. On a scale from 1 (strongly dissatisfied) to 7 (strongly satisfied), the average response to “Your overall satisfaction with the ALSN Mentorship Program” was 6.15. Similarly, most participants responded agree or strongly agree to the statements: “I would recommend the ALSN Mentorship Program to others” and “The ALSN Mentorship Program adds value to ALSN membership.”
A recent mentee shared: “[My mentor] provided not only expertise in executive leadership and healthcare strategy but also created a space for reflection, honest feedback, and growth. I particularly valued her guidance on improving professional communication, coaching on navigating complex leadership challenges, and recommendations for leadership readings … [which] allowed me to build confidence in my decision-making, refine my leadership presence, and take deliberate steps toward my professional goals.”
Mentees are not the only ones benefiting from the program. Mentors report enjoying networking with a new colleague and forming lasting friendships.
Join Us
If you are interested in being part of the 2026 cohort, either as a mentor or mentee, please contact us at membership@alsn.email by January 31.
