‘I think there are endless opportunities and possibilities’

February 6, 2026

Having a mentor through the Nursing Mentorship Network “has opened my mind to other areas for exploration, for growth. It’s built my confidence,” says mentee Delane Zacharko, education coordinator at Lamont Health Care Centre, shown here celebrating a family birthday at the Brew and Bloom cafe in Edmonton.

Having a mentor through the Nursing Mentorship Network “has opened my mind to other areas for exploration, for growth. It’s built my confidence,” says mentee Delane Zacharko, education coordinator at Lamont Health Care Centre, shown here celebrating a family birthday at the Brew and Bloom cafe in Edmonton. Supplied.

I've been a registered nurse for 20 years and I enjoy helping people on their journey of wellness and practice,” says mentor Jaylene Degroot, provincial director of AHS Accreditation and Engagement & Patient Experience, seen here with husband Ian and daughter Ivy. “I value building meaningful relationships, both with patients and staff — and mentorship is a core component.” Degroot’s contributions to the network were recognized last May when she was chosen as 2025 Mentor Champion.

I've been a registered nurse for 20 years and I enjoy helping people on their journey of wellness and practice,” says mentor Jaylene Degroot, provincial director of AHS Accreditation and Engagement & Patient Experience, seen here with husband Ian and daughter Ivy. “I value building meaningful relationships, both with patients and staff — and mentorship is a core component.” Degroot’s contributions to the network were recognized last May when she was chosen as 2025 Mentor Champion. Supplied.

Tiffany Brew, a community health nurse at East Calgary Family Care Clinic, loves to hike in the Kananaskis. She found her experience as a mentee so positive she’s thinking about becoming a mentor someday. “It’s an opportunity to share the passion and focus on the positives of nursing and our profession. And I really do enjoy that, so it's definitely an option.”

Tiffany Brew, a community health nurse at East Calgary Family Care Clinic, loves to hike in the Kananaskis. She found her experience as a mentee so positive she’s thinking about becoming a mentor someday. “It’s an opportunity to share the passion and focus on the positives of nursing and our profession. And I really do enjoy that, so it's definitely an option.” Supplied.

Nursing Mentorship Network connects nurses for career growth and friendship

Story by Gregory Kennedy

The care and compassion that nurses bring to their profession often reaches beyond their patients, when the more experienced take junior colleagues under their wing to encourage their professional, leadership, career and personal goals.

Recognizing this, and making it easier for nurses to connect, Alberta Health Services (AHS) launched the Nursing Mentorship Network in 2021 as the first organization-wide mentorship network for all nurses, where nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and licensed practical nurses could get together on an informal basis.

“Mentorship plays a critical role in developing leaders, building teams and creating meaningful connections,” says Fadumo Robinson, associate chief nursing officer, Health Professions Strategy & Practice. She stresses that both mentees and mentors benefit equally. “No matter where you are in your career or whether you are a mentor or mentee — everyone gains from mentorship, including the broader healthcare system and discipline of nursing.”

To boost the network, AHS offered a structured, formal nine-month pilot to support nurses every step of the way in 2025 with abundant opportunities for education, real-time support and networking. Mentors and mentees were matched by criteria such as personal and professional values, experience and goals.

“Mentorship networks have always been around in an organic capacity. I think having a formalized pathway with built-in supports has been really good,” says mentor Jaylene Degroot, provincial director of AHS Accreditation and Engagement & Patient Experience, based in Edmonton.

“It’s especially helpful if you're a front-line nurse, when you don't always have the capacity to work out the logistical stuff. I've been a registered nurse for 20 years and I enjoy helping people on their journey of wellness and practice. I value building relationships, both with patients and staff, and mentorship is a core component.” It’s a two-way street, and being a mentor brings many benefits as well, adds Degroot.

“I find it inspirational to hear other people's experiences, to be able to share my past experiences, and then to draw opportunities on both sides. So, as much as I may assist other people in forging their path, they help me forge a new perspective.”

Her mentee Tiffany Brew, a community health nurse at East Calgary Family Care Clinic, has been an RN since 2010.

“I've primarily been in public health. I love being a community health nurse. I joined the network because I hit a point where I didn't know what was next for me in terms of whether I wanted to explore leadership opportunities. I've struggled with my own fears, to be honest. Jaylene has been wonderful at giving me different perspectives on what’s been holding me back — and helping me to discern what I’m looking for.”

The Nursing Mentorship Network has also kept Brew’s home fires burning, so to speak.

“It’s easy to lose sight of our passion for nursing in the day-to-day — and with the challenges that we're up against. Having an opportunity to talk about things outside of the actual workplace has been helpful in grounding me in my passion.”

The network has also strengthened the resolve of Delane Zacharko, education coordinator at Lamont Health Care Centre.

“It's opened my mind to other areas for exploration and growth. It’s built my confidence because it’s easy to doubt what you know. Having a mentor who reiterates what you believe, and who tells you — ‘No, that’s right. That makes sense’ — you know you’re on the right track.”

Zacharko appreciates the flexibility of the network, and its 24-7 availability of resources.

“I like the program, and how they have the live sessions, and then they have the recordings that you can go to later. I’ve accessed both. While it’s great to be in the moment with the presenter virtually and ask questions — for people who are busy or work night shifts, it’s great to be able to go back. The network is tailored to when you need it. And they have a lot of resources on their Insite page. I like that.” For the future, Brew has a wish and a suggestion.

“It would be incredibly helpful to see a branch of the Nursing Mentorship Network dedicated to new staff. I know that nursing retention can be really challenging, especially in the first five years,” she adds.

“The sooner you can create that sense of community, that sense of family, and of being on the same team, the sooner you feel at home — then the more likely you are to stay with the job, right?”

New opportunities are already taking shape for the network, which has already attracted the participation of more than 1,500 nurses.

Insights from the 2025 pilot directly inform a Tiered Mentorship Education Model, which features tiered mentor education, enhanced support and improved accessibility for nurses at all career stages.

“I personally hope it grows. I think that there are endless opportunities and possibilities,” says Degroot.

“The more that we can connect with diverse groups and people that practise in different settings, I think it broadens our perspectives and allows us to provide better care for our patients.”

Join the Nursing Mentorship Network