The support that mentors receive in the clinical setting

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Mentorship Programs

Background:

• Mentorship is a mandatory component of nurse training per the English National Board (ENB).
• Existing literature highlights the critical role of mentors to students and acknowledges the inherent stress in this position.
• A significant gap exists in research concerning the specific support mentors receive or require.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the support systems available to and needed by mentors within a healthcare trust.
• To identify stressors associated with the mentor role and explore their impact on the clinical learning environment.
• To inform the development of improved support systems for nurse mentors.

Main Methods:

• An ethnographic approach was employed for the study.
• Data collection involved unstructured interviews with experienced mentors.
• A questionnaire was developed based on interview data and distributed to all mentors within the trust.

Main Results:

• The study identified specific support needs of mentors to effectively fulfill their duties.
• Findings underscore the link between mentor support, student learning, and patient care quality.
• The research highlighted areas for improvement in existing support structures.

Conclusions:

• Developing and implementing enhanced support systems is vital for mentor effectiveness.
• Addressing mentor stress through targeted support can positively influence the clinical learning environment.
• This research provides a foundation for healthcare trusts and educational institutions to create better mentorship support.