Alumni and friends
Alumni Connector Program
Did you ever have a day that made you want to quit?
Every nurse (even the very best ones!) can probably point to a day where they wanted to quit. Maybe it was doing all you could for a patient only to have them lash out at you from pain or fear from their illness; perhaps another member of the medical staff seemed to be doing everything they could to prevent you from doing your work, or the worst case scenario you lost a favorite patient to disease, trauma or a break in the system. Our students have bad days, too, but you can help them to weather the challenges of nursing school by participating in our Student/Alumni Connector Program.
The VCU Nursing Student/Alumni Connector Program, a partnership between the MCV Alumni Association and the VCU School of Nursing, is a great opportunity for you to create an environment that enhances student learning and professional development. This program serves as a source of professional support for nursing students. As alumni, you can offer encouragement and guidance through the challenges and milestones of their educational program. You will act as a support to students in an informal mentoring role by contacting them at least once every two weeks to offer words of encouragement when things are tough or provide a friendly voice celebrating accomplishments and milestones. You will be given a list of significant dates for the student, such as birthdays, first clinical rotations, first days of exams and more.
Students and alumni can easily connect by e-mail, telephone calls or letters, so even if you don’t reside in the Richmond area, you can still serve as a connector. The Alumni Association, in partnership with the VCU School of Nursing, will provide an orientation program and structure for the relationship. This program requires a one year commitment, and there is no financial investment on your part required.
If you are interested in participating, please register online or contact Michael Greene-Russell (B.S.’91/B), program manager for the MCV Alumni Association, at (804) 828-4595.
