Search term is required Close Search
Indicates member-only content. Join AANP

AANP Mentorship Program

Led by the AANP Fellows

FAANP Mentoring Program

About the AANP Mentorship Program - Led by the AANP Fellows

The Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) are proud to connect nurse practitioners (NPs) with Fellows who are leaders in their field and are willing to share their expertise to promote the career development of others. Whether you’re interested in becoming a mentor or mentee, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) invites you to discover the mutually rewarding benefits of the AANP Mentorship Program.

Mentees

  • Mentees are current AANP members seeking guidance, professional growth and opportunities to expand their leadership skills.
  • Mentees must be an AANP member in good standing with at least six months of continuous AANP membership as of July 1.
  • Potential mentees must be a part of one of the following AANP member categories: NP Member, Student member, Career Starter member and Licensed NP Student member.
  • Mentees receive the benefit of personalized support, feedback and access to the insights and networks of experienced NP leaders.

Mentors

  • Mentors are current FAANP members with strong experience in leadership, policy, academia, research or entrepreneurship.
  • Mentors are seeking engagement and meaningful ways to give back to the profession.
  • Mentors receive the benefit of renewed inspiration, expanded perspectives and the opportunity to shape the future of the NP role.

The next Mentor Match period will open July 1, 2026, and will close July 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. Central Time. Register early for the best opportunity for matching! Enrollment is limited for the 2026 pilot.

Check back here on July 1 to register!

Questions about the process can be directed to faanp@aanp.org.

Enrollment Process

  1. Log in to the platform with your MyAANP email and password. Select AANP Mentoring Program in the drop-down menu on your dashboard.
  2. Complete the enrollment form before the July 31 deadline.
  3. Match — Mentors will search the pool of mentees that align with their interest areas and initiate a connection.
  4. Connect — Once you've found a potential match, click on their profile to learn more. If you're interested in connecting, look for the plus sign under their profile image and request a connection.
  5. Engage — Collaborate with your connection in a shared engagement workspace. Here, you can send messages, book meetings, share resources and work together to complete goals and tasks.

Matching Process

Members will provide various demographics (including work setting, certifications and career stage) to establish their personal criteria. You will also be asked to select one of the following Focus Areas: Practice, Education, Advocacy, Research or Leadership.

An enrolled Mentor will visit the “Find a Mentee” page and fill in their search criteria to search for possible Mentees. The Mentor will click the names of the potential Mentees to view their profiles. Once the Mentor has decided on a Mentee, they will click on the plus sign (appearing seen below the registered Mentee's profile picture) to request that person as their Mentee. An e-mail will be sent to the Mentee alerting them that they have been requested to be a Mentee. The Mentee will be able to accept or decline the request.

MENTEES ARE NOT GUARANTEED A MATCH.

Annual Timeline

July

Intake form for Mentors and Mentee cycle opens and closes

August

Matches are notified by email of their matches and set up their initial meeting Virtual orientation session for both mentors and mentees.

September

Matches complete initial meeting

October

Matches establish short- and long-term goals

November

Matches complete the Mid-Cycle Evaluation Survey

December

Matches review progress toward goals and adjust as needed

January

Conduct a focused discussion on challenges and strategies

February

Continue work on deliverable or goal

March

Revisit goals and plan for end-of-cycle accomplishments

April

Reflect together on key takeaways and outcomes

May

Matches complete the End-of-Cycle Evaluation Survey

Program Expectations

  • The program is not a pathway to AANP Fellowship.
  • This program may not be used to support academic coursework or any program leading to a degree or certificate.
  • Mentors may not serve as an advisor or preceptor for any part of degree completion (e.g., PhD or EdD, DNSc, DNS and DNP dissertations; clinical projects; and classroom assignments).
  • Participants must commit to maintaining clear and regular communication with their mentor/mentee.
  • The methods of communication (e.g., RQ platform, phone, email, video chat) should be mutually agreed upon by both the mentee and mentor.
  • The frequency and duration of meetings (e.g., monthly, with interim tasks for the mentee) must be mutually determined and agreed upon.
  • The annual program cycle allows for 10 months of formal mentoring activity.
  • Mentees are responsible for negotiating mentoring goals, establishing any deliverables and setting a reasonable time frame for achieving goals.
  • Mentoring services must be provided without any form of remuneration.

FAANP Mentorship Program FAQs

  • What benefits do I gain from having a mentor?

    Almost all professionals grow exponentially with the guidance of a mentor. You may have been informed a mentor could help you, or you might feel a sense of wanting more from your career and/or desire personal growth. There are numerous valid reasons to desire a mentor.

    NP mentors:

    • Elevate the NP experience.
    • Motivate and inspire.
    • Promote lifelong learning.
    • Understand and support NPs as colleagues.
    • Widen and deepen the NP network and influence.
    • Help develop leadership skills.
  • Are all the mentors Fellows?

    Yes, in the AANP Mentorship Program, all mentoring is done by FAANP.

  • Once accepted and matched, what can I expect?

    When a match has been confirmed, participants will be notified via email directly from the matching platform. Both parties will have a shared workspace within RhythmQ. Reach out to your match to schedule your first connection. Review the Resources section of your workspace.

    The FAANP Ad Hoc Mentorship Committee will offer an orientation session for mentors and mentees with the date and time to be determined.

    Your first meeting with your mentor is a time to:

    • Discuss your goals, outcomes and deliverables.
    • Determine a communication method.
    • Establish timelines for goal/deliverable attainment.
    • Establish scheduled meeting times.
  • What are the roles of the mentor/mentee relationship within the program?

    Mentee Responsibilities

    • Review your Mentor’s profile in advance to familiarize yourself with their background and expertise.
    • Listen actively and ask thoughtful questions to gain deeper insights.
    • Agree on the purpose and goals of the mentoring relationship together.
    • Set a timeline for your work together and schedule regular progress reviews.
    • Explain where you are, where you would like to be and how mentoring can help.
    • Discuss and refine your goal for the program.
    • Develop a plan for a project.
    • Agree on a meeting schedule.

    Mentor Responsibilities

    • Review your Mentee’s profile in advance to familiarize yourself with their background and expertise.
    • Share your own mentoring experiences to provide context, inspiration and practical lessons for your mentee.
    • Ask questions and actively listen.
    • Guide the Mentee’s goal-setting and development of a plan for a project.
    • Communicate clearly about what’s within your role and what may fall outside your ability to help.
    • Set a timeline for your work together and schedule regular progress reviews.
    • Agree on a meeting schedule.
  • Why is the AANP Mentorship Program not a path to AANP Fellowship?

    Participation in the AANP Mentoring Program is intended to support development and does not serve as a pathway or qualification for application to the Fellows program, which is based on demonstrated, sustained contributions and impact within the profession. Mentoring supports the journey; FAANP membership recognizes career-long impact.

  • Why shouldn’t I ask for or expect a mentor to help me with an academic assignment?

    Intended for personal development growth, mentoring programs are more personal, less structured and are not time bound, so are not suitable to support students in academic programs.

  • What are some examples of past mentoring projects that have been completed?

    Some examples of past mentorship projects include:

    • Creating educational programs — professional or patient-based.
    • Exploring skills needed for new roles or career path.
    • Navigating expectations and workplace changes.
    • Developing a professional development plan
    • Research Project
    • Presentation proposal
    • Cultivating leadership growth opportunities in an organization.
    • Creating a presentation, quality improvement project, business plan or advocacy plan.
    • Writing an article.
  • What is the expected time frame for this program?

    This annual, structured relationship within the AANP Mentorship Program and online platform spans approximately 10 months; however, the duration may vary based on mutually agreed-upon goals between participants, with the option to extend if both choose to continue the relationship.

  • Do mentees pay mentors?

    NO, and remuneration is not permitted under any circumstances.

  • What if my mentor and I don’t “fit”?

    If the match does not work, for whatever reason, please contact the FAANP Ad Hoc Mentorship Committee at faanp@aanp.org.

  • What happens if my circumstances change in the middle of the program — do I have to drop out?

    Discuss circumstances with your assigned mentor and inform the FAANP Ad Hoc Mentorship Committee at faanp@aanp.org.

Do you still have a question?

The FAANP Mentoring Program is happy to help! Send your question(s) to faanp@aanp.org.