Marilyn Bagwell Leadership Development Grant :
Neumann University Fostering Professional Identity and Peer-to-Peer Mentoring
By Theresa Pietsch
Introduction
Neumann University ’ s pre-licensure undergraduate nursing program is deeply grateful for the $ 2500 Dr . Marilyn Bagwell Leadership Development Grant administered by the Foundation of the National Student Nurses ’ Association ( FNSNA , 2024 ). This generous support has increased students ’ awareness of their professional identity and the importance of peer-to-peer mentoring in their academic journey .
The initiative was framed by the Positive IMPACCT Program , led by Jacqueline Martin , MS , Executive Director of Undergraduate Advisement & Progression , and Mary Ann S . McLaughlin , EdD , MSN , RN , Associate Dean of Undergraduate Nursing , with input from the Neumann University Student Nurses Association ( NUSNA ).
What does Positive IMPACCT stand for ? Jacqueline Martin and Mary Ann S . McLaughlin , described the seven themes of Positive IMPACCT as :
1 . Inclusion , Diversity , Equity & Sense of Belonging
2 . Mentoring for Resiliency , Self-Care & Success
3 . Preparation for Clinical Environments
4 . Academic Skills , Tutoring , Study Skills & Test-Taking Skills
5 . Communication Skills & Awareness of Unconscious Bias
6 . Call to a Vocation of Service 7 . Think Like a Nurse
Methods
The Neumann University grant team focused on providing tools to support an environment of inclusion , peer-to-peer support , academic preparation , and professional identity through networking , collaboration , and teamwork .
With funding from the Bagwell Leadership Development Grant , the leadership team was able to purchase whiteboards to enhance the physical studying environment , which provided for networking support , idea sharing , and the promotion of healthy study habits . In addition , the grant enabled the student association to purchase gift cards to recognize peer-topeer mentors in their efforts to help the students master content they had just learned . Finally , Neumann created nursing stickers to foster belonging and professional identity . The stickers were a special gift that students could proudly display on their electronic devices . Through these efforts and other supportive events , the NUS- NA experienced an increase in membership this past year . At the University ’ s nurse pinning
38 NSNA Imprint