From Bedside to Classroom: An Autoethnography of the Mentoring Experiences of BIPOC Nurse Faculty from Transition to Tenure and Promotion

Abstract

Black and South Asian nurse faculty transitioning from clinical practice to academia face persistent barriers, including racialized exclusion, institutional neglect, and unclear tenure and promotion expectations. Despite the importance of mentorship, many report insufficient formal support, turning instead to external networks and self-advocacy to navigate academic life. This autoethnographic study explores the mentoring experiences of Black and South Asian nurse faculty in U.S. higher education, from transition through the promotion and tenure process. Inductive thematic analysis of reflective journal narratives, interpreted through the lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory, led to the development of themes spanning a nine-stage mentorship cycle. Findings highlight the lack of structured mentorship and unclear tenure expectations as primary challenges. Additional themes included mistrust in assigned mentors, emotional and psychological burdens, and the impact of racial identity on career progression. Participants frequently turned to peer networks and professional organizations to fill mentorship gaps and, over time, assumed mentorship roles themselves. This study underscores the need for culturally responsive, equity-centered mentorship programs and transparent advancement pathways. Institutions must commit to inclusive leadership development and sustained support to ensure the success and retention of Black and South Asian faculty in nursing academia.

Keywords: Black and South Asian nurse faculty; USA; autoethnography; faculty development; leadership; mentorship; nursing academia; tenure barriers.

Figure 1.

Frequency of themes in mentoring narratives. Note. This bar chart illustrates the number of times each theme was mentioned across the analyzed narratives. Barriers to tenure and promotion and lack of structured mentorship were the most frequently reported concerns.

Figure 2.

The mentorship cycle in Black and South Asian Nurse Academia. Note. This figure presents the cyclical nature of mentoring challenges and responses as experienced by Black and South Asian nurse faculty. It categorizes the nine themes into three broader domains and illustrates key transition points and recurring patterns of exclusion.