Other Titles
PechaKucha Presentation
Abstract
As a newly R1 Carnegie Classification institution, in the Southeastern part of the United States, there is renewed emphasis on expanding research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. In response, the Research Explorer Program commencing in Winter 2025 is being launched as a pilot initiative to enhance student research engagement within the School of Nursing.
This program introduces a cohort of 10 undergraduate nursing students to the fundamentals of nursing research through mentorship with graduate nursing students. Grounded in the belief that early exposure to research strengthens clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and leadership, the initiative will provide undergraduates with hands-on experience in a collaborative, supportive environment.
Students will engage in activities through the Canvas learning management system. Undergraduate students will gain firsthand exposure to scholarly inquiry, while graduate student mentors will reinforce their research skills and develop leadership competencies through teaching and coaching. Guided by Benner’s Novice to Expert theory, the program will cultivate a dynamic learning environment where inter-level collaboration strengthens professional identity and scholarly confidence.
The program will emphasize the critical role of nursing research in addressing clinical problems and informing health policy. Aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and the Future of Nursing report, the initiative will foster appreciation of nursing science as a catalyst for change in healthcare systems.
Students will participate in interactive workshops covering research ethics, responsible use of generative artificial intelligence, methodology, scholarly writing, and presentation skills. The experience will culminate in the creation of a scholarly product highlighting their contributions, which participants may present at campus symposia and share on social media outlets.
By integrating mentorship, academic inquiry, and professional development, the Research Explorer Program will empower undergraduate nursing students to become research-literate, inquisitive practitioners and inspire graduate students to become effective mentors and future nurse scholars. In doing so, the program strengthens the nursing research pipeline and nurtures a vibrant community of inquiry committed to advancing the discipline.
Notes
This is a PechaKucha presentation, and the slide deck contains images instead of text. To compensate for this, the presenter notes are available in the attached slide deck. To see the notes in Adobe Acrobat, go to Tools > Comment or look at your Layers Panel. If the notes were saved as comments or layers, you can toggle them visible.
References:
Manderscheid, A., McKay, A., Slager, D., Butler, A., Hubner, J., Bekker, P., & Sabo, R. (2023). Activating the American Association of Colleges of Nursing essentials through competency-based leadership in graduate student organizations. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(10), 580–583. DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20230731-01
Thomson, A. E., Smith, N., & Naismith, D. (2021). Peer mentorship in psychiatric nursing education: Preparation for future practice. Journal of Nursing Education, 60(10), 582–585. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20210729-06
Cypress, B. S. (2020). Fostering effective mentoring relationships in qualitative research. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 39(6), 305–311. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCC.0000000000000444
Rana, R., Caron, M. P., & Kanters, S. (2022). Nurse mentored, student research in undergraduate nursing education to support evidence-based practice: A pilot study. Nursing Forum, 57(2), 225–233. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12667
Horrill, T. C., Rahman Isse, A. A., Armah, N., Bolianatz, J. D., Karpa, J. V., Lelond, S., Martin, K. M., Martin, D. E., McMillan, D., Mitchell, K. M., Rieger, K. L., Scruby, L. S., & West, C. (2021). The development of academic identity in graduate nursing students: An interpretive descriptive study. Nurse Education Today, 103, 104949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104949
Sullivan, B. T., DeFoor, M. T., Hwang, B., Flowers, W. J., & Strong, W. (2020). A novel peer-directed curriculum to enhance medical ethics training for medical students: A single-institution experience. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 7, 2382120519899148. https://doi.org/10.1177/2382120519899148
Ocampo, F. A., McIntyre, B. G., Massey, D., & Saunders, R. (2025). Nursing student reflections on a research internship: A reflective discussion following Gibbs’ reflective cycle. Nurse Education Today, 145, 106481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106481
Handler, A., Klaus, J., Long-White, D., Roth, M., Greenleaf, R., Sappenfield, O. R., & Cilenti, D. (2018). Innovations in maternal and child health: Pairing undergraduate and graduate maternal and child health students in summer practica in state Title V agencies. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 22(2), 154–165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-017-2412-y
Sigma Membership
Gamma Iota
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Theory, Mentoring and Coaching, Mentoring, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Teaching, Learning Strategies, Nursing Research, Nursing Education, Artificial Intelligence, Educational Technology
Recommended Citation
Whitaker-Brown, Charlene and Cornelius, Judy, "Bridging Theory and Innovation: Cultivating Nursing Scholars Through Research, AI and Mentorship" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 161.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/161
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-18
Bridging Theory and Innovation: Cultivating Nursing Scholars Through Research, AI and Mentorship
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
As a newly R1 Carnegie Classification institution, in the Southeastern part of the United States, there is renewed emphasis on expanding research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. In response, the Research Explorer Program commencing in Winter 2025 is being launched as a pilot initiative to enhance student research engagement within the School of Nursing.
This program introduces a cohort of 10 undergraduate nursing students to the fundamentals of nursing research through mentorship with graduate nursing students. Grounded in the belief that early exposure to research strengthens clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and leadership, the initiative will provide undergraduates with hands-on experience in a collaborative, supportive environment.
Students will engage in activities through the Canvas learning management system. Undergraduate students will gain firsthand exposure to scholarly inquiry, while graduate student mentors will reinforce their research skills and develop leadership competencies through teaching and coaching. Guided by Benner’s Novice to Expert theory, the program will cultivate a dynamic learning environment where inter-level collaboration strengthens professional identity and scholarly confidence.
The program will emphasize the critical role of nursing research in addressing clinical problems and informing health policy. Aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and the Future of Nursing report, the initiative will foster appreciation of nursing science as a catalyst for change in healthcare systems.
Students will participate in interactive workshops covering research ethics, responsible use of generative artificial intelligence, methodology, scholarly writing, and presentation skills. The experience will culminate in the creation of a scholarly product highlighting their contributions, which participants may present at campus symposia and share on social media outlets.
By integrating mentorship, academic inquiry, and professional development, the Research Explorer Program will empower undergraduate nursing students to become research-literate, inquisitive practitioners and inspire graduate students to become effective mentors and future nurse scholars. In doing so, the program strengthens the nursing research pipeline and nurtures a vibrant community of inquiry committed to advancing the discipline.
Description
In this session attendees will:
Learn how structured mentorship between undergraduate mentees and graduate/faculty mentors can enhance research skills, leadership development, and scholarly engagement in nursing education.
Explore the integration of research, artificial intelligence (AI), and hands on inquiry to cultivate research literate, collaborative next generation nursing scholars.