Students' opinions about and expectations of effective nursing clinical mentors

Nursing practice is an integral part of nursing education in which clinical mentors play an important role. Mentors' attitudes, experience, and knowledge influence nursing students and help them to complete their nursing practice with success. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine nursing students' opinions about and expectations of effective nursing clinical mentors. Focus group interviews were used to obtain data from 24 students after completion of their third year of nursing school. The students, who had nursing practice experience in internal diseases, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and public health, were divided into three groups of 8 students. The students noted that effective clinical mentors should be able to communicate without prejudice, give positive feedback, have empathy, require students to do their own research, and offer the students information.