BearPairs Career Development Mentoring Program

Mentoring at Children's National Hospital

  • The BearPairs Career Development Mentoring (CDM) Program at Children’s National Hospital is designed to guide a mutual relationship between a nurse leader (mentor) and an experienced nurse (mentee). 
  • The CDM program is targeted toward mentees who are seeking opportunities to advance their careers through new roles, education, and/or networking. 
  • The CDM program utilizes nurse leaders as mentors to share operational, administrative, networking connections, and promote professional engagement in meaningful ways in order to facilitate the development of the nurse mentee’s career goals. 
  • The goal of the CDM program is to foster relationships, behaviors, and activities that embody Children’s National Hospital’s mission, vision, and core values to sustain a healthy organizational culture. 

Eligibility for Career Development Mentors:

  • 5 years of nursing experience with leadership experience in all roles including: directors, managers, clinical supervisors, educators, shift coordinators, bedside nurses with leadership experience through active roles of chair/co-chair on a SNL committee organizational or unit level.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrated expertise

Eligibility for Career Development Mentees:

  • Registered Nurses and APRNs
  • At least 1-year nursing experience (or more) 

Program Requirements:

  • Complete the mentoring orientation and goal-setting education prior to program start
  • Participation in mentoring workshops offered over the 1-year program course
  • Meet at least once a month with mentoring partner (virtual or in-person)
  • Completion of evaluation surveys, goals, and check-ins.

Career development mentoring (CDM) pairs will be matched or self-selected through collaboration with the mentor and mentee. Mentors and Mentees will be selected and approved by the system-level Professional Development Council through an application process.

Engagement and incentive strategies include:

  • Internal and external recognition
  • Mentoring paraphernalia
  • Mentoring awards/spotlights
  • Professional experience and growth
  • Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) points
The next cohort for the CDM Program will be Fall 2020, if you are interested please fill out an application through the links below. 

Application Process for Mentors:

  1. Complete CDM Mentor Application Career Development Mentor Application

Application Process CDM Mentee:

  1. Identify a potential CDM Mentor (browse mentor bios folder)
  2. Complete the CDM Mentee Application  Career Development Mentee Application

Additional information regarding the CDM mentoring program will be provided once you have applied and selected to be a mentor or mentee.


For any questions regarding the application or program please email: bearpairsmentoring@childrensnational.org 


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Mentor/Mentee Roles and Benefits

Fall 2020 Career Development Mentoring Program Cohort

Private Course for Selected CDM Mentors and Mentees