Adaptability and resilience have become essential competencies for nurses who deliver care in a rapidly evolving environment of increasing patient expectations and emerging technologies. Increasing pressure to perform, coupled with uncertainty about how to develop the right skills and credentials, can leave nurses feeling discouraged and burned out.

To help nurses learn how to thrive and build a meaningful career in health care, Houston Methodist has taken a proactive step to support and empower nursing professionals and other staff through a structured, yet flexible, approach to internal mentorship. As a leading health care system with eight hospitals, over 2,700 operating beds and more than 33,000 employees across the Greater Houston area, Houston Methodist serves millions of patients annually through its extensive network of hospitals, specialty centers and outpatient facilities. This wide-reaching footprint makes mentorship especially valuable, helping nurses build connections and gain insights across diverse clinical environments and specialties. Our internal mentorship program, Mentor Match, aims to facilitate one-to-one mentoring relationships within the organization that help employees expand their networks, gain new knowledge and insights, and develop new skills. This program enables all employees to connect with mentors from diverse backgrounds — and located anywhere within our system — for micro-mentorship activities or longer-term engagements tailored to their needs. Since its launch, more than 175 nurses have participated in Mentor Match, and it has had a positive impact on their retention, job satisfaction and clinical confidence. When surveyed, 94% of mentees report being satisfied or very satisfied with their mentoring experience. They reported feeling more supported in setting their goals, receiving meaningful career advice, expanding their network, overcoming obstacles and building their skills. The program has also facilitated cross-departmental connections, breaking down silos and encouraging a more unified employee culture. Mentorship not only supports individual development but also strengthens leadership capacity across nursing teams. Nursing mentees have shared how the program has helped them grow as leaders, improve communication skills and gain confidence in their clinical roles. One mentee described the experience as “transformative,” noting that the ability to connect with a mentor helped them become “a better communicator, listener and a leader to my existing and future staff.” Another mentee shared, “My mentor has profoundly shaped my personal and professional growth, offering invaluable guidance, support and wisdom. Their encouragement has not only helped me overcome challenges but has also inspired me to reach my full potential.” Such sentiments underscore the powerful role mentorship plays in shaping a nurse’s confidence and career path, serving as a catalyst for meaningful growth and development. Looking ahead, our organization plans to expand the mentorship model to better support our advanced practice providers and other clinical practitioners who are interested in developing the technical and long-term skills necessary to advance their careers. As we continue to invest in our nurses through mentorship, we are not only enhancing individual careers but also reaffirming our commitment to cultivating a culture of growth, connection and excellence across our health care system.