How Mentor and Mentee Navigated their Transitions Together.

By Nia Davis

The Badger Nurse Mentorship Program does more than connect students with experienced professionals; it fosters deep, reciprocal relationships. Mentor Ashton Nell ’10 and mentee Jenna Wendricks ’26 learned that firsthand. 

Ashton joined the program to become a mentor because she knows how influential leaders had been in shaping her own career. “I decided to mentor a student because I have found mentors invaluable, and I’ve witnessed mentorships create thriving, successful nurses,” she shares.  

An alum of the School of Nursing herself, Ashton wanted to give back to the community that launched her into her career while guiding a fellow Badger nurse. But through her relationship with Jenna, she discovered she wasn’t just guiding; she was learning, too. 

“I was so impressed with how prepared Jenna came to every session with questions to ask or things to review,” says Ashton. 

Currently, Ashton works as a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner in the pediatric sedation clinic at the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison. However, when Ashton met Jenna, she was finishing her doctorate, and Jenna was in the final year of the traditional bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. Despite being in different stages of schooling, the pair’s individual experiences often overlapped, and both learned a lot together.  

“I think we could share in a lot of those transition feelings, and those feelings of imposter syndrome. I just went through all of that in different stages, but those lessons still applied. So it was great to review those things together,” Ashton says.   

On the other side of the partnership, Jenna initially joined the program feeling hesitant about what to expect. But she finished it convinced that every student should participate. Through shared coffee, interview prep, and honest conversations, she and Ashton found common ground. The perspective and encouragement Ashton shared gave Jenna a fresh mindset, instilling a confidence she knows will carry over into her future nursing practice. 

To those considering joining the program, Jenna expresses how valuable the program is:  

“The people who are signing up for the mentorship program to be mentors are so excited to meet you, guide, and learn from you. If a small portion of you is debating signing up, do it! You will not regret the connections you make, the advice you gain, and the experience you get interacting with other nurses.” 

Ashton also emphasizes that mentoring isn’t as intimidating or energy-intensive as people might anticipate. More importantly, mentors grow alongside their mentees in ways that are just as meaningful. As their relationship developed, Ashton felt increasingly hopeful seeing the continued compassion that the future nurses she met showed, not only for future patients and families but also for colleagues and themselves. She finds inspiration in the fresh perspectives and creative ideas that new nursing cohorts bring to the profession.  

Ultimately, their story shows the lasting impact of the Badger Nurse Mentorship Program. Looking back on her journey, Ashton offers one final piece of career advice for Jenna and future graduates: 

“Gain everything you can from each opportunity, even if it isn’t your favorite job, then stay true to your boundaries and personal goals and feel okay about moving on if and when the time comes.”  

To learn more about the program, visit https://nursing.wisc.edu/alumni/badger-nurse-mentorship-program/