Exploring failure to fail in pre-registration nursing

Failing a student nurse can be a challenging task for mentors in the learning environment. It is often an unpleasant experience for all involved. However, mentors have a duty to uphold the reputation of the nursing profession and be the gatekeepers of the profession and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional register. Failing a student who is not meeting the required competence in the learning environment is a way of safeguarding the nursing profession and the future workforce. This article will look at the mentor's role when a student nurse is identified as not meeting competencies in the learning environment. The article explores the importance of following process when identifying weak students and the role that clinical educators and university staff have in supporting mentors when a student is deemed to be failing their learning experience.