Our 2019 Pathfinder Students and Mentors

Nurse Manager, Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health

I have mentored many staff, team members and nursing students during my nursing career. Additionally, I help to mentor females in the juvenile justice system. In May 2016, I was honored to be the recipient of the Washingtonian’s Excellence in Nursing Award for extraordinary contributions in the field of nursing in the community. The work in community health is ever-changing and rapidly expanding to the medical home and outpatient settings.

As a mentor, I hope to foster and grow relationships with new learners to nursing while giving back to the profession and learning from the mentee as well. Additionally, I would love to see a student develop into the profession while supporting them in making informed decisions regarding their career path.

Attributes for a Mentoring Relationship

I believe that a successful mentoring relationship starts with trust, closely followed by commitment and dedication, which are all vital to bonding and ensuring a solid mentor-mentee partnership. Building and fostering meaningful interpersonal relationships through communication is key in developing a shared mental model.

Personal Characteristics

Supporter, goal setter, negotiator, motivator, problem solver, strategic team player, creative and aspirational

Clinical Nurse, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

As an accelerated bachelor's of science in nursing student at The George Washington University (GWU), I was presented with many opportunities to become involved in our cohort through extracurricular activities. One of my most rewarding involvements was in the role of a peer mentor at GWU. Being a peer mentor allowed me to assist an individual in the subsequent cohort with their nursing school concerns and questions throughout the program. I took the role seriously and was always available for questions, advice and study help. The fulfillment from this role inspired me to pursue an additional mentoring role as a GW breastfeeding mentor. In this position, I provided breastfeeding support, quick advice and motivation to mothers delivering at GWU Hospital. For new mothers, having a source of encouragement and accountability via a breastfeeding mentor helped them feel empowered and capable.

My experiences as a mentor in the past have been so fulfilling, and I am looking forward to continuing this rewarding job. It is pivotal for experienced, seasoned nurses who understand the nursing profession to assist and advise the younger generation. I feel strongly about fostering a smooth transition from student to professional as evidenced by my pursuance of mentorship positions and my involvement as a preceptor on my unit. I hope to not only assist new nurses through school, but also with achieving  goals and admiration throughout their profession.

With this role as Conway mentor, I aim to further the nursing profession. By supporting the younger generation of nurses, I am investing in my profession and creating a culture of communication. I hope to assist in bridging the gap between new nurses and experienced nurses. I will benefit also by personal enrichment and fulfillment as it brings me joy to help others. I believe a positive nursing mentorship can aid in job satisfaction as well as retention.

Attributes for a Mentoring Relationship

A successful mentoring relationship is one with open communication, transparency, organization, leadership, positivity and motivation. I believe leading by example, professionalism and accessibility are key components of a successful mentor.

Personal Characteristics

Teacher, supporter, counselor, energizer, guide, goal setter, motivator strategic and realist

Shift Coordinator, Unit 4 Main

I have been in nursing for the past three years and am currently in the role of Shift Coordinator and co-chair elect of the SNL Professional Development Council. I have also been in the role of preceptor and charge nurse. All of these roles have equipped me with the necessary qualities of being a role model: I am honest, positive, open-minded, empathetic, supportive, a team player, understanding, organized and have strong communication skills.

Becoming a Conway mentor gives me the opportunity to share my talents and eagerness in wanting to help and support future nurses in reaching their milestones prior to becoming a registered nurse. This program offers me the opportunity to educate, encourage, motivate, inspire, engage, recommend and discuss the various topics and career paths within the nursing profession. This one-on-one mentoring relationship will allow my mentee to feel supported, motivated and goal-driven. As a mentor, we must assist the mentee to set attainable goals, provide moral support and be open-minded.

I hope to attain more attributes as I continue to grow and learn through this mentorship in my leadership position. As a future nurse educator, I have found myself in more leadership positions that have led me to take advantage of many other professional and personal opportunities.

Attributes for a Mentoring Relationship

The key elements for a successful mentoring relationship are open communication, honesty, setting attainable goals, support and positivity.

Personal Characteristics

Teacher, supporter, energizer, guide, goal setter, motivator, problem solver, supervisor, strategic team player, self-development, creative, realistic, inspirational, aspirational and leadership

Administrative Manager

I have had multiple opportunities to act as a mentor at Children's National. I have been a preceptor to new graduate nurses as well as being paired with a nursing student for the summer nurse trainee program. As I have grown into the nurse I am today, I have found the most rewarding experiences to be watching the nurses I have worked with as a preceptor flourish in their nursing career after completing orientation.

I also had a nursing student for the summer nurse trainee program who was a Conway Scholar from Catholic University and after she completed the program I continued to stay in contact with her as she finished her last year of school. I supported, guided and provided career advice and now I am happy to report that she accepted a position on the Neuroscience unit due to her positive experience with me. I hope I can continue to impact future nurses, like this one, in such a positive way and help them reach their goals as a nurse.

I look forward to working with dedicated individuals who want to be the best nurses they can be. My benefit from this program will be to see the impact I can have on our future nurses. Nursing is a continuous field of learning and I hope that through this I can continue to develop my leadership and communication skills. The greatest reward at the end of this journey would be seeing my mentees reach their goals and aspirations and to have built a long-lasting relationship.

Attributes for a Mentoring Relationship

Key elements necessary for a successful mentoring relationship include open communication and accessibility, mutual respect and trust, teamwork and collaboration, and the non-judgmental exchange of ideas and information.

Personal Characteristics

Teacher, supporter, energizer, guide, goal setter, motivator, team player, management, self-development, inspirational, aspirational and dedicated

Calvin Coolidge Senior High School, Washington, D.C.

John is an honor roll student who earned the 10th grade Leadership Award. He will attend Norfolk State University in Virginia in fall 2019. He is described by his teacher as committed, dedicated and intelligent. He always represents himself in a respectful manner. John aspires to become nurse to help address the healthcare disparities he has observed in his neighborhood. He thinks of his plan to become a nurse practitioner and serve in his community as a model for self-care. “Now I am more open to adversity, always optimistic and looking for a better side of the situation. My obstacles equipped me to take on life’s challenges and persevere with determination,” he says.

Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy, Capitol Hill Campus

Kemoni is a graduating senior and plans to attend Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. She is described by her teachers as intelligent, diligent and committed to her studies. She is a true representation of what a successful college scholar will be in the future. She describes herself as caring and wants to be like her grandmother, who cared for many individuals. Nursing aligns with her spirit of caring and she currently volunteers in a program to help people experiencing homelessness. “It’s about having the strength to help and heal those who truly need it,” she says.

BSN Program, Stratford University; expected April 2020

Shanna-Kay is a patient care technician at Children’s National, a co-chair of the unit Shared Leadership Council and an active member of the skin team. She has chosen nursing as her career because she believes nursing is one of the most helpful and fascinating professions. “Being a nurse contains more than treating patients, administering medications or being at the bedside,” she says. “Nurses also provide a therapeutic way of relating with families. They have compassion under any circumstance.” She is known in the hospital community for her passion and drive in making a difference each day. Her vivid smile helps guide patients and families through their healthcare experience.

BSN Program, University of Maryland; expected December 2019

Samantha is a member of the International Honor Society of Nursing. She is described as compassionate, patient-focused and a well-organized nursing student who aims to become a pediatric nurse. A healthcare emergency when she was 12 years old is ingrained in her memory. She gained an appreciation for the nurse that stayed by her side to support her. “She was with me through it all and I am extremely grateful for the incredible care and attention she gave me that day. She recognized something was very wrong with me and got me the help I needed. I want to be as knowledgeable and compassionate as my nurse was so I can help others through their own frightening ordeals,” she says.

BSN Program, Howard University; expected May 2021

Cindy’s passion for nursing is rooted in her commitment to community. In high school, she knew she wanted to become a nurse to care for ill family members. She is excited that mentorship will reinforce her career path. She knows those who are rich in knowledge and resources serve as guides those starting their professional journey. ”I hope to be able to provide services to under-resourced populations that will create a gateway between the hospital and everyday life. I aspire to serve as a positive role model and create a sense of hope to all the children and families I meet,” she says.

ADN Program, University of the District of Columbia; graduated May 2019

Ciarra says, “I don’t think I chose nursing. I believe that I was called from birth to have this passion. I was born premature, and from day one it was the nurses who watched me during those crucial moments of the beginning of my life that impacted my future.” She works as a Unit Secretary in a hospital. She is aware of the dedication and compassion required to respond to the busy pace of healthcare with skill and persistence. She is committed to give everything to her calling and feels well positioned to continue her academic progression.

ADN Program, Kaitlyn Hilgenberg, graduated May 2019

Kaitlyn Hilgenberg is described as having a strong work ethic and what it takes for clinical and academic success. “Serving pediatric patients is my foremost priority. The Conway Pathway Program will help me meet this goal. I will gain confidence and learn how to use my voice,” she says.

BSN Program, University of Maryland; expected December 2020

Maya is pursuing two undergraduate degrees in kinesiology and nursing. Her desire to work with children and become a pediatric nurse has been with her for as long as she can remember. She had the opportunity to participate in TerpThon at the University of Maryland and saw the impact pediatric nurses at Children’s National Hospital make on the lives of their patients. She was also inspired by meeting patients at Children’s National. “I plan to continue to work hard until the dream in my heart becomes a reality,” she says.

BSN Program, University of Maryland; expected December 2019

Esther has worked in different fields throughout her life. She always loved working with children and was curious about a career path in healthcare. She became more intentional about this possibility as a result of an accident which impacted the life of her family. Nurses demonstrated great care and concern for her at a time of significant loss. “It was a life changing moment for me in more ways than one,” she says. “It focused me on the path to becoming a nurse with helping children in mind. My hope is to one day provide that same comfort and care to other families in need. If I can pay it forward and be there to support even one child, it would mean everything to me.”