The Role of Mentors in Evaluating the Quality of Students Nursing Essay

The Role of Mentors in Evaluating the Quality of Students Nursing Practice - Essay Example In talking about the role played by mentors in pre-registration of nurses, Pellat maintains that the practice experience is a most important aspect of preparing nursing students for registration. The current programmes are aimed at enhancing this practice with careful support and supervision. Mentors play a very crucial role in supporting nursing students in practice. The quality of mentorship is highly valuable during this time, and raises an attention because it is the mentors who assess students’ competence for practice at the time of registration. Prince also says that Mentoring offers students an opportunity to instruct, a characteristic of their own professional development and a stepping stone towards career paths. Mentors act as role models. As a mentor, one is required to provide the student with support and guidance in the area of practice. He/she should enable the student to make the practice realistic through applying the theories learnt, assessing and giving effec tive feedback and enhancing revision of the practice, performances and lessons learnt (Pellatt, 2006,336 – 340) and (Prince ,2004) The Royal college of Nursing toolkit provides basics of mentorship in that Mentors must ensure students are fit for purpose which means the ability to perform effectively in practice, for practice-fulfill registration requirements and award; have the qualification of being awarded a diploma or a degree. As role models, mentors should assist students develop skills and confidence, enhance professionalism and lay an appropriate level of inspection. It is the mentors’ responsibility to be prepared to undertake the role, to share their knowledge with the mentee, to be conversant with the students’ curriculum and practice assessment documentation and identify areas of specialization and learning opportunities. Morton and Palmer add that Mentoring goes beyond the individual relationship between the mentor and the student. It is within this framework of accountability and responsibility for professional standards that is implicit within the individual’s practice and that of the employer. This makes the mentors feel secure in their role of supporting that is implemented at local level (Royal College of Nursing Toolkit 2007, 5-10 and Morton and Palmer, 2000). Outcomes of Mentoring Spouse asserts that the stages of mentoring portray acyclic process or a continuum based on the individual’s development stages as he/she matures into the career or professionalism. Mentoring is part of being a leader, the same way as developing ones leadership abilities. In mentoring, first the mentor and mentee needs to establish an open relationship with each other. Each stage of mentorship is an experience in life that brings new crises and challenges. Having experienced this, one knows what to expect and it is this knowledge that helps others go through the career challenges. The benefits of mentee, mentor and the organizati on are: quicker learning curves, increased communication of corporate values, increased loyalty, improved employee productivity and improved one on one communication (Spouse, 1996 32-35). People who have