In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of healthcare, one thing has remained constant: the transformative power of mentorship. From the first days in nursing school to advanced practice roles like becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), having a mentor by your side can be the difference between surviving the journey and thriving in it. As someone who immigrated to the USA, started from scratch with a BA in French, and currently practicing as a CRNA despite facing personal challenges during my doctoral program, I can personally attest to the life-changing impact of having strong mentors who believe in your potential.

Healthcare is one of the most demanding professions in the world. Students and professionals alike face steep learning curves, emotional strain, and constant pressure to perform at the highest level. Evidence shows that mentorship programs in nursing improve job satisfaction, competence, retention, and confidence while decreasing turnover. This environment makes mentorship not just valuable but essential. A mentor is more than a guide; they serve as a lifeline, someone who has walked the path and understands the challenges that lie ahead.

When I faced the devastating challenge of divorce during my last year of CRNA school, it was my mentors who kept me grounded and focused on my goals. They reminded me that I was worthy of this dream and that my setbacks didn’t define my potential. Mentorship offers what textbooks and lectures often cannot: lived experience and emotional support during our most vulnerable moments.

The statistics are staggering and demand our attention. Out of approximately 60,000 CRNAs in the United States, only 12% represent nurses of color. Breaking it down further, only 3% are African American, 4% Hispanic, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 0.7% Native American. These numbers tell a story of missed opportunities and barriers that mentorship can help dismantle.

This is where visionary leaders like Dr. Wallena Gould, founder of the Diversity Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP) have made incredible strides. Over 18 years, her grassroots organization has successfully mentored more than 820 racially diverse critical care nurses into 92 out of 130 graduate nurse anesthesia programs. This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about transforming lives and healthcare delivery.

Recent research validates what we’ve always known in our hearts. A 2024 study evaluating a national mentorship program found that 98.6% of participants felt satisfied or very satisfied with mentorship support. The study surveyed 1,133 participants and revealed that mentorship programs significantly improve nurses’ preparedness for advanced practice applications.

The ripple effects extend far beyond individual success. Evidence-based practice mentorship programs have been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and create sustainable research cultures within organizations. When mentees become more confident and competent providers, patients receive better care, and healthcare institutions thrive.

Organizations like the Nigerian American Nurse Anesthetists Association (NANAA), exemplify how cultural mentorship creates unique bonds that transcend traditional professional relationships. Founded to “support, promote, and advance the practice of Nurse Anesthesiology within the Nigerian community in the USA and beyond,” NANAA provides not just professional development but cultural connection and understanding.

This resonates deeply with my own journey from Nigeria to the USA. Finding mentors who understood both the professional challenges of becoming a CRNA and the cultural navigation required as an immigrant made all the difference. These connections provide what I call “cultural mentorship.” This is guidance that acknowledges both professional aspirations and personal identity.

Through my own experience of healing and finding my voice after personal challenges, I founded Rise Mentorship as a free mentorship service for aspiring CRNAs. This isn’t just about giving back, it’s about creating the support system I had during my most challenging moments. Every interaction through my TikTok and Instagram content for Rise Mentorship reminds me that mentorship is both deeply personal and powerfully professional.

When you’ve experienced the isolation of being different, the pressure of starting over, and the triumph of achieving what others said was impossible, you understand that mentorship isn’t luxury, it’s survival and transformation wrapped into one relationship.

Effective mentorship is not a one-way street. While mentees gain knowledge and confidence, research shows that mentors often find themselves re-energized by the enthusiasm of those they guide. Mentors are reminded of their own journeys, rediscover their passion, and grow as leaders. This mutual benefit is what makes mentorship sustainable and impactful over time.

As I’ve transitioned from mentee to mentor, I’ve experienced this phenomenon firsthand. Each aspiring CRNA I guide teaches me something new about resilience, determination, and the evolving landscape of healthcare. They keep me connected to my “why” and remind me that our individual successes become collective victories.

The impact of mentorship in healthcare doesn’t stop at the individual level. Organizations with strong mentorship programs report improved recruitment, retention, and succession planning. When a mentor invests in the success of a mentee, that mentee becomes more likely to pay it forward, fostering a culture of support that transforms entire institutions.

This is the future we’re building, one relationship at a time. Every CRNA who receives mentorship today becomes a potential mentor tomorrow, creating an exponential effect that can truly transform our profession’s demographic landscape.

In healthcare, mentorship is not just about career advancement, it’s about survival, growth, and transformation. A mentor provides a roadmap during confusion, encouragement during tough seasons, and accountability when the path feels unclear. For aspiring CRNAs and healthcare professionals, mentorship is the secret ingredient that transforms potential into achievement.

Whether you connect with established programs like DNAMP, cultural organizations like NANAA, or grassroots efforts like Rise Mentorship, the key is to start. Your dreams are valid, your background is an asset, and your success is not just possible, it’s inevitable with the right support system.

Remember: every expert was once a beginner, every leader was once a follower, and every mentor was once someone who needed guidance. The question isn’t whether you’re worthy of mentorship, it’s who will you lift up once you reach your destination?

Ready to start your CRNA journey or find your mentor? Connect with Rise Mentorship and join a community that believes in your potential as much as you do.

– [Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program](https://www.diversitycrna.org/)

– [Nigerian American Nurse Anesthetists Association](https://nanaa.org/)

– [AANA Diversity Impact Report](https://www.aana.com/news/diversity-in-nurse-anesthesia-mentorship-program-makes-an-impact/)

– [Evidence-Based Mentorship Research](https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/wvn.70006)

– [Underrepresented Nurses Mentorship Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38824878/)