GUIDE: Graduates United in Dialogue for Excellence

Abstract

Graduate school can be stressful and overwhelming for students. A supportive atmosphere that promotes mentoring and networking can ameliorate the stress associated with returning to the academic environment. This article describes the process by which a group of students created a dynamic forum for the sharing of ideas, collaboration, mentoring, networking, and research among master's-prepared nurses. To reflect these ideals, the forum was entitled "Graduates United In Dialogue for Excellence" (GUIDE). The monthly GUIDE forums provided an environment in which students could learn from exchanging ideas and sharing experiences with one another, faculty, and other nursing leaders. GUIDE was successful in fostering professional growth and collaboration, thus benefiting all participants.