College of NursingStudent Resources and SupportPeer Mentoring Program

Peer Mentoring Program

What is the peer mentor program?

The peer mentoring program at WSU College of Nursing is designed to support pre-licensure BSN (PL-BSN) students by fostering connections between different student cohorts.

PL-BSN students are matched with a student on their campus who is further along in the program. We highly encourage all J1 students be matched up with a mentor to get guidance and support from students who have been in their shoes previously.

Students may keep the same mentor/mentee pairings throughout their time in the program, or may request to meet someone new after each semester. As mentees move further into the program they are able to pay it back and become mentors as well!

What are the benefits of Peer Mentoring?

  • Creates a welcoming community for students who are new to WSU or the area.
  • Creates a safe space to ask questions about coursework, program expectations, policies, and success strategies.
  • Provides guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the nursing program.
  • Offers positive role models for academic success, professionalism, and work-life balance.
  • Fosters professional connections that support learning during school and beyond graduation.
  • Gives mentors opportunities to develop coaching, leadership, and communication skills with professional applications.

Participant Expectations

  • Report safety concerns immediately
  • Maintain confidentiality within legal and university requirements
  • Review Peer Mentoring Program Handbook (PDF)
  • Mentor and Mentee work together to establish a respectful relationship, professional boundaries, and communication expectations.
  • Mentor only – Complete Contact Log (Microsoft Forms) monthly

How do I sign up?

Complete the Peer Mentoring Program Interest Form sometime the week before school starts through the end of the first week. The goal is to match everyone during week two of the semester so that they can begin the mentorship connection as soon as possible.

If you miss the deadline and still want to participate, email us at ug.nursing@wsu.edu as soon as possible. We don’t want anyone to miss out, and we often have a few extra mentors!

Complete the Interest Form
Nursing students studying at a table.

Benefits of peer mentorship

I was fortunate to have an S1 peer mentor as a J1 and it was extremely helpful in feeling more comfortable and confident with the program. I also really enjoyed becoming friends with my peer mentor and would like to do that with a mentee!

Peer mentee

WSU gave me hope by giving me a seat in the program and preparing me for a bright future. I want to spread that hope to as many nursing students as possible by helping them succeed.

Peer mentor

I enjoyed being paired with a peer mentor as it made the transition to the stress of nursing school a little less overwhelming. Talking to someone who has been in your shoes is so helpful, and helping others adjust to nursing school is why I decided to become a peer mentor myself.

Peer mentee

I wanted to meet new students and share what helped me through my first semester/year.

Peer mentor
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