🌟 OACNS Mentorship Program Winner Announcement
Empowering the Next Generation of Nurses
The Oklahoma Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (OACNS) is proud to announce the winner of our Annual Mentorship Program, an initiative dedicated to cultivating the next generation of advanced practice nurses through direct, personalized mentorship.
Each year, this prestigious program selects up to two mentees to be paired with experienced Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in a year-long journey of growth, exploration, and professional development. This year's selection process was exceptionally competitive, and we are thrilled to introduce a truly inspiring recipient.
🎉 2025 Mentee Award Winner: Jaiden Wright-Goff
"I want to be the person who brings comfort, strength, and compassion to someone walking through their own struggles. I want to be their light, just like so many nurses were for me."
From a very young age, our selected mentee has faced extraordinary health challenges with courage and resilience. Diagnosed with migraines at age 3, seizures by age 6, and eventually Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), her early life was shaped by countless hospital stays, invasive procedures, and the relentless search for answers. In 2014, she became one of the first children to receive a neurostimulator, marking a pivotal step in regaining her quality of life.
Despite these hardships, including ongoing syncopal episodes and a recent diagnosis of hearing loss, she has remained steadfast in her dream to become a nurse. Inspired by the compassion and dedication of the nurses who cared for her, she now seeks to become a source of strength for others, just as they were for her.
Her story is one of perseverance, empathy, and an unwavering desire to serve others. With aspirations to work in the ICU and eventually pursue a doctorate in nursing, she represents the very spirit of the CNS profession: knowledgeable, resilient, and compassionate.
💡 About the OACNS Mentorship Program
The OACNS Mentorship Program is designed to:
- Inspire the next generation of nurses and advanced practice leaders
- Clarify the CNS role and nursing career pathways
- Promote equity and access in nursing through direct mentorship
- Support mentees in skill-building, goal development, and professional confidence
Program Highlights:
- Eligibility: Pre-nursing, current nursing students, or licensed nurses interested in becoming CNSs
- Structure: One-on-one mentor-mentee pairings, quarterly check-ins, and virtual or in-person mentorship activities
- Award: Upon successful completion of the 12-month program, mentees receive a one-time scholarship or professional development award of up to $500
- Outcomes: Enhanced clarity of career goals, strengthened leadership skills, and increased confidence in academic and clinical performance
🙌 Congratulations to Our Winner!
On behalf of the OACNS Board of Directors, Mentorship Committee, and our entire nursing community, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s mentee. Your journey, compassion, and commitment to the profession embody the highest ideals of the nursing profession. We are honored to walk alongside you in this next chapter of your career.
Let this be a beacon for others, those who have walked through challenges and emerged stronger, ready to light the path for others in nursing.
For more information on the OACNS Mentorship Program or to apply next year, visit