Peer-Mentoring: A Call to Create Inclusive Programs to Support All Students' Ability to Be Successful

Background: Support for diverse nursing students needs to be built into existing peer-mentoring programs to foster success for all students. Method: Students were intentionally matched in a peer-mentoring program, BUDDYUP, on several factors, which included students' race and ethnicity (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color [BIPOC]) and gender, and whether they were first-generation. Results: Mentors and mentees expressed satisfaction and derived benefits from the intentionally matched mentoring program. Participant comments demonstrated that these are not just extra supports but instead are fundamental to their essential everyday needs and ability to be successful both academically and socially. Conclusion: Incorporating support for all students needs to be a foundational aspect in the development of peer-mentoring programs to support the ability for all students to be successful in nursing education.