Mentors' perceptions and experiences of supporting student nurses in practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Mentorship
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Effective mentorship is vital for student nurse development in clinical settings.
• Understanding mentor perceptions is key to improving support structures.
• Previous research has not fully captured the nuanced experiences of mentors in diverse practice environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore mentors' perceptions and experiences of supporting student nurses in practice.
• To identify specific areas where student nurses require the most support.
• To understand the challenges faced by mentors and gather suggestions for improvement.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method approach was utilized, combining questionnaires and focus groups.
• Data were collected from mentors in both acute and community healthcare Trust settings.
• The study focused on gathering qualitative and quantitative insights into the mentorship experience.

Main Results:

• Mentors identified clinical skills, placement adjustment, and team integration as critical areas for student support.
• Mentors acknowledged their roles, responsibilities, and the importance of personal attributes in effective mentorship.
• Key challenges reported by mentors included time constraints, competing demands, and administrative workload.

Conclusions:

• A collaborative team approach and dedicated support groups can help mitigate mentorship challenges.
• Peer and healthcare assistant support for students is valuable and should be recognized.
• Ensuring students are prepared to take ownership of their learning is essential for successful practice placements.