Near Peer Mentors for the School of Nursing

Near Peer Mentors offer mentoring to University of Rochester School of Nursing students through the Center for Academic & Professional Success (CAPS) .

Near Peer Mentors provide help with study methods that increase effective and efficient study habits and improve preparation for exams. They specifically use the teach-back method as part of this work. Because near peer mentors have graduated from the APNN program, they can also provide support and guidance related to navigating the demands of an accelerated nursing program.

Aley Smith, RN, '19N

Student, Master's in Nursing Education program RN Case Manager, Golisano Children's Hospital

graduated from the University of Rochester in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in molecular genetics and from the APNN program in December 2019. Smith worked as an EMT and as a tech in the Emergency Department at Highland while in school. After graduating she started working as an RN in the NICU at Golisano Children’s Hospital. She now works on AC6 in ambulatory pediatrics and recently started on AC6 as a RN case manager. Smith is a certified lactation counselor and recently began the Master's in Nursing Education program at the University of Rochester. She loves spending time with family and friends, reading, being creative and hiking.

Osariemen Edegbe, RN, '21N, MS

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graduated from CUNY Queens College in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology & Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology. In 2013 Osariemen graduated from Long Island University with a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology, and from the Accelerated Bachelor's Program for Non-Nurses in August 2021. Osariemen worked in various roles including program manager in Behavioral Health institutions and a geriatric psychiatric specialist at Strong Memorial Hospital while in nursing school. He has also published research related to his graduate thesis at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. After graduating he started working as an RN in the Neuro-ICU Residency Program. He now works as an RN in the URMC Department of Psychiatry. Osariemen plans to pursue graduate studies in nursing next summer. Osariemen loves spending time with his family, especially his infant twin boys.