An interpretive study of the nurse teacher's role in practice placement areas

The role of the nurse teacher in the clinical area is widely debated in the literature, however there are few research studies that focus exclusively on this issue. Of note is the particular dearth of research from a Scottish perspective. This article reports on a research study which was designed to illuminate nurse teachers' experiences regarding their role in the practice placement area. An interpretive research approach was used in order to gain an understanding of the role of the nurse teacher in the clinical area. The study involved 18 nurse teachers, from three nursing departments across Scotland, taking part in focus group interviews. Five main themes are reported in this article: being an advisor, being a supporter, being a regulator, being an interpreter and being a networker. Findings from the study revealed that the nurse teachers have a multifaceted role which includes providing advice and support to trained staff and students, regulating professional standards, interpreting assessment documentation and networking with clinical staff.