Top ten tips for mentors

Having a good mentor is the single most important factor in ensuring that a student nurse has a meaningful and worthwhile learning experience whilst on placement. As mentors we are charged with safeguarding the standards of our profession by ensuring that those students which we pass are fit for practice. The role is both a rewarding challenge and a privilege. There are many factors which are important aspects of the role but below are those which are especially useful or important.

  1. You cannot underestimate the underpinning importance of a good working relationship and the interpersonal and communication skills, such as active listening which foster this.
  1. A student’s welcome and induction is crucial as the initial stages of the student’s placement set the tone for the placement. Providing a welcome pack of relevant information is a useful aspect of this.
  1. The learning experiences available on a placement should be mapped to the student’s NMC outcomes.
  1. Make time for the student. This is perhaps one of the hardest aspects of mentoring, given a busy clinical environment, but it is crucial that we make ourselves available frequently. Time for reflective discussion with the student is particularly important. It will also ensure that assessments are fair and based upon sound knowledge.
  1. Try to understand each student’s particular style of learning, the level they are at and use a range of learning strategies.
  1. Bloom’s taxonomy is particularly useful as it reminds us that we are teaching and assessing knowledge, skills and attitudes.
  1. Be up to date and evidence based and use the students as a vehicle for you to maintain this.
  1. Build robust links between your clinical area and the higher education Institute. Get the tutors onto the wards and share your clinical expertise within the school.
  1. Ensure that you are well supported in your mentoring, by using associate mentors and do not forget that Health care support workers can act as a good support mechanism for students.
  1. There is a fair process for supporting a failing student…………… it includes giving clear early and regular constructive feedback and joint action planning. The wise mentor will gather a range of opinion so that an assessment is not just their own opinion but a team one. Good links with the HEI will ensure that a student at risk of not progressing is well supported.