Exploration of student nurse experiences of being mentored by practice supervisors/assessors in placement settings

Abstract

The Nursing and Midwifery Council changed its standards in 2018 regarding student learning and assessment on placements. Previously, students were allocated a mentor with whom they spent at least 40% of their time and who also assessed them; the new standards brought in the separate roles of practice supervisor and a practice assessor and abolished the 40% minimum, with the student being supported by a wider range of practitioners. While extensive literature examines the experiences of qualified staff supporting students, there is little evidence on the student experience. A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with student nurses from two universities in the south of England was used to explore their experiences. The students reported benefits of being supported by the wider healthcare team, said being taught and assessed by different people was beneficial and that they felt better prepared for assessments.