title: Enhancing the Educational Environment for Diverse Nursing Students Through Mentoring and Shared Governance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A structured peer-mentoring program for diverse nursing students culminated in shared governance meetings between mentors and program coordinators to address mentees' concerns and issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  After informed consent, mentees reviewed mentor profiles online and selected mentors. Baseline data were collected on ethnic identity, lifestyle, social support, and academic habits. Outcome data included mentors' self-reflective journal themes and student satisfaction surveys and focus group evaluation of the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students reported weak scores in the areas of wellness, exercise, and stress management. Journaling revealed valuable information about challenges faced by mentees that could impair their success. Mentors' proactive suggestions to handle major mentee journal themes were shared with nursing school administrators using a shared governance approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mentoring program supported students and culminated in a shared governance process to discuss ways to address mentee challenges that might improve the educational environment for future students. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(11):605-614.].
authors: Christine L
authors: CL
authors: Latham
authors: Harsimran
authors: H
authors: Singh
authors: Karen K
authors: KK
authors: Ringl
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003144:Communication Barriers; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D000071252:Mentoring / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*