PEER MENTOR HANDBOOK
GOOD SAMARITAN COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH
SCIENCE
The Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science connects incoming first
semester students with upper-class Peer Mentors. New students benefit from having an
experienced student they can turn to that is familiar with the college and can help them
adjust to the demands of college life.
PEER MENTOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Peer Mentors are student representatives of the Good Samaritan College of Nursing
and Health Science (GSC) that have volunteered to mentor throughout an academic
semester in exchange for Community Service Hours and an opportunity to develop
leadership skills.
2. Peer Mentors play a vital role in helping new students learn about GSC’s campus by
creating a welcoming and encouraging environment.
3. Peer Mentors are role models and an important resource for students. They are
responsible for answering questions and communicating information about
college life in a positive manner.
What is a mentor?
The story of Mentor comes from Homer's Odyssey. Odysseus, king of Ithaca, fights in
the Trojan War and entrusts the care of his household to Mentor, who serves as teacher
and overseer of Odysseus' son, Telemachus.
After the war, Odysseus is condemned to wander vainly for ten years in his attempt to
return home. In time, Telemachus, now grown, ventures in search of his father. Athena,
Goddess of War and patroness of the arts and industry, assumes the form of Mentor
and accompanies Telemachus on his quest. Father and son reunite and cast down
would-be usurpers of Odysseus' throne and Telemachus's birthright.
The word Mentor evolved to mean trusted advisor, friend, teacher and wise person ...
Mentoring is a fundamental form of human development where one person invests time,
energy and personal know-how in assisting the growth and ability of another person.
History and legend record the deeds of princes and kings, but each of us has a
birthright to actualize our potential. Through their deeds and work, mentors help us
to move toward that actualization.
Source: Shea, Gordon F. (1997) Mentoring (Rev. Ed.). Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications
Eligibility and Your Role as a Peer Mentor
To become a Peer Mentor, you must interview with the Counselor the semester prior to
the semester when you will be Mentoring. This might be during a group meeting that is
offered after the call for Mentors goes out (approximately halfway through each
semester) or a one-on-one meeting to discuss Mentorship. You also must be in good
academic standing in all your classes. Faculty and staff will be asked to recommend
Mentors as well. If you decide that Mentoring is something you would like to commit to
then you will sign a Peer Mentoring Agreement for one semester.
You will be valued by the new students entering the college. You can make a big
difference in their experience at Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health
Science. You are a role model. We know this will prove a very valuable experience for
you.
Your goals as a Peer Mentor
 Offer useful practical information about the college community, classes,
and provide tips on how to be successful.
 Listen and provide both support and direction.
 You can choose to help students academically but it’s not a requirement
 Know where the mental health resources are located on the website
 Refer to the appropriate resources.
Don’t get caught up in trying to manage someone else’s personal problems. You are a
mentor not a counselor. Refer students to professionals in the college (Student Success
Team) when you are asked for help outside the boundaries of what can reasonably be
expected. Encourage new students to seek out their Advisors and utilize their expertise.
For financial concerns, refer Mentees to the One Stop Center. If put in a difficult
situation tell your Mentee, you’ll get back to them with more information and contact the
College Counselor (who coordinates this program) for advice at 513- 862-2737.
Communicate
Be positive. Think about what was important for you to know when you were
beginning your first semester at GSC. What have you learned that will help
others? This will be different from person to person. If you are not in Nursing
classes yet you may have a different perspective that is very important. Each of
you has valuable information to contribute. Utilize and develop your skills of
communication. These include your ability to listen, guide, and encourage.
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Share experiences with Mentees about your own educational career and
how you approached some of the obstacles you encountered.
Share how you have been successful with time management and
developing organizational skills.
Encourage Mentees to seek assistance from their Advisors.
Encourage Mentees to use their resources, i.e. the Student Success
Team, Computer Center, IT Support, Library, Financial Aid, etc.
Be an Observer of Stress
Stress, fatigue, life events and mental health issues happen. If you think
someone is really struggling, encourage them to seek help from the College
Counselor.
Our online mental health resources can be found at the main website under
Student Services and Counseling. Please acquaint yourself with these resources
and make your Mentees aware of them. U-Lifeline is an especially excellent
resource for all students in the college and should be explored.
http://www.ulifeline.org/gscollege
Know your resources
You should be aware of who the faculty and staff are within the college, what
their responsibilities are and where they are located. If you don’t know
something, just ask and refer to the College Directory.
Time Commitment/Frequency of Contact
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Your commitment to the group of Mentees is for one semester only.
Attendance at the Orientation luncheon is mandatory.
You must decide along with your Mentees how frequently you want to meet,
decide when and how you want to communicate: text messaging, phone calls, email, face-to-face. Please maintain contact with your group of Mentees and keep
track of the amount of time you are spending with them. Tracking is necessary so
you can receive your Community Service Hours. You can turn your hours in
along the way or you can wait and turn them in week eleven. You cannot earn
more than five hours for Community Service from Mentoring per semester.
Time Logs
Keep a time log for any Mentor/Mentee in person meeting, texting, phone calls,
online communication. A template will be provided but you choose any method
you like to keep track. You must decide if you want to use your Community
Service Hours toward a requirement for scholarship recipients (two hours) or
graduation (up to five hours) but not both within the same semester.
You may have someone at the front desk put the time log in the
Counselor’s mailbox on the 8th floor or you can e-mail it to the College Counselor
who coordinates the program. Please keep copies of everything in case
something is lost.
We will be asking for feedback. You will be asked to complete an evaluation at
the end of the semester so you might want to designate a spot where you can
make entries of things that went well, didn’t go well, areas that need
improvement, etc. We’ll also be asking for your Mentees for feedback.
Setting Boundaries
You’re still a student and have many areas you must attend to. Don’t spread
yourself too thin. If you tell a Mentee you will do something, make sure you can
do it. Don’t try to be more than you can be. If you are communicating on-line be
professional. It is recommended you don’t share anything on Facebook unless
it’s private messages.
 You are a role model, exhibit professional behavior.
 Protect your study schedule.
 Follow guidelines for social media; be aware of any cyber-bullying.
 Keep confidences, but not if it puts the Mentee or anyone else in danger.
If you have a Mentee who is not abiding by the boundaries you have set and
you’ve tried to work it out with them, please contact the College Counselor who
will evaluate the situation and decide what to do.
Peer Mentor Benefits
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Develop leadership qualities
Enhance your resume
Improve your interpersonal skills
Gratification of helping others
Ability to share your expertise
Thank you for your willingness to be a Mentor. You are very much appreciated!