A journey of mentoring and sponsorship excellence: A case study of a Black woman academic nurse leader's professional identity development.

BACKGROUND

Mentorship and sponsorship are critical to the career development and advancement of academic nursing professionals, fostering leadership, scholarly productivity, and career progression. However, disparities in access to these opportunities can hinder the growth of underrepresented faculty. This study addresses how targeted support can help close these gaps.

PURPOSE

This study explored the mentoring and sponsorship experiences of Dr. Hassani, a Black woman academic nurse leader, and examined how these relationships shaped her professional identity and career advancement in nursing academia.

METHODS

A qualitative case study design was used, drawing on a 104-min, in-depth audio-recorded interview with Dr. Hassani, supplemented by insights from one of her mentees. Data were analyzed thematically using Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as the guiding framework.

FINDINGS

Four key themes were identified: definition of professional identity, early nursing career, transition to academia and emerging opportunities, and academic leadership. Findings underscore how intentional mentorship fosters identity development, while sponsorship offers critical access to leadership pathways.

CONCLUSION

Mentoring and sponsorship play a pivotal role in advancing the careers of underrepresented faculty in academic nursing. The study calls on institutions to implement equitable, identity-affirming mentorship models that support faculty retention, leadership development, and inclusive excellence.