LEWISTON – The Coaches for Nursing Students Program, a collaborative effort between the University of Southern Maine and area health care providers, officially began its second year at a kick-off reception at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.

The purpose of the initiative is to match USM nursing students on the Lewiston-Auburn campus with a “coach,” a nurse or other health care professional who can help guide them as they embark on their academic journey.

“Connecting the students with experienced professionals improves their confidence, enhances their interpersonal and networking skills and increases their academic and personal effectiveness,” said Nicole Morin-Scribner, director of employee relations for Sisters of Charity Health System.

“In addition, we believe this effort contributes significantly to a higher retention rate among the nursing students,” she said.

“As a nursing student, I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the Coaches for Nursing Program,” said Rhonda Giusto of Lisbon. “Having a one-on-one relationship with a nursing professional allows me to have a sneak peak at what it’s really like to be a nurse. And I can see first-hand the art of caring demonstrated by my coach … it really inspires me.”

“We need to be supportive of nursing students – for the good of our profession,” said Ann Ward of Leeds, who serves as Giusto’s coach. Ward, a nurse at the VA hospital in Togus and a graduate of USM, views her role as a chance to give back to the nursing program. “I’m proud to be a mentor at USM,” she added.

“We view our coaches as morale boosters as well as resources to support students in continuing toward their goals of becoming nurses,” said Bonnie Farmer, nursing program coordinator at LAC.

“This method was chosen due to extensive research in higher education, which indicates that the more personal contact provided to students in college, the higher their success rate.”

The coaching program is an initiative of the Health Care Action Team, a collaborative working group of the USM Corporate Partners/L-A.

Morin-Scribner, who chairs the group, recently had an article about the program published in HR Pulse, a national publication for health care human resources administrators. Anyone interested in participating as a nursing coach can contact Dori LaPlant at LAC at 753-6624.