Mentors' attitudes, beliefs and implementation of evidence based practice when mentoring student nurses in the community: a qualitative study

Background: Nursing practice based on evidence improves patient care. Mentors supporting student nurses are in clinical placements are in a unique position to demonstrate evidence based practice (EBP). The NMC (2008) suggest mentors must be able to identify and apply research and EBP, increase or review the evidence-base used to support practice and support student nurses in applying an evidence base to their own practice. However, there is limited literature on nurse mentor’s attitudes, beliefs and implementation of EBP when mentoring student nurses in the community. Methods Data were collected via 7 focus groups in 2015 with 33 community nurse mentors from one NHS Foundation Trust. Community settings of the mentors included: community hospital inpatients and outpatients, minor injury units, and district nurse teams including specialist teams such as long term conditions, tissue viability, respiratory and cardiac rehabilitation. The interview schedule was based on information from a pilot group and previous literature. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results Emergent super-ordinate themes from community nurse mentors included: 1) implementation of EBP 2) community nursing versus acute hospital nursing 3) implications of degree entry nursing 4) bidirectional learning 5) being part of the students’ journey a role model 6) EBP versus practice based evidence 7) barriers: IT, time, student attitudes, agency staff, mentorship course, paperwork 8) facilitators: IT, time, student attitudes, resources. Discussion All nurse mentors believed their clinical practice to be informed from evidence, specifically the structure provided from guidelines and policies both nationally and locally. Reviewing guidelines occurred in job descriptions of more senior roles. Mentors invested time and energy in supporting students to implement EBP as recognised the importance of educating the next generation of nurses. Issues regarding the mentorship course arose including; accessibility, length of the course and content

Implementing a mentor support system for general practice nurse mentors

This article discusses the need for nurse mentors to receive adequate support to ensure that their experience, and the students, is a positive one. The authors explore how the development of the advanced training practice (ATP) scheme in general practice (GP) has helped general practice nurse mentors to meet the demand for more student placements and provide the best learning experience possible for students. The article features a framework that can be used in other ATP schemes to support mentors in GP ‘hub and spoke’ practices

Comprehensive Induction or Add-on Induction: Impact on Teacher Practice and Student Engagement

In recent years, we have seen a rapid expansion of policies and resources devoted to new teacher induction. Most of these policies are based on an assumption that induction programs have a positive influence on teacher quality and student learning. Yet there is little evidence to support claims for such policies regarding the distinct components of induction programs or their effectiveness (Wang, Odell & Schwille, 2008). Scholars have argued for targeted mentoring that addresses the learning needs of beginning teachers with regard to instructional practice (Feiman-Nemser, 2001). Some suggest that induction efforts may increase teacher knowledge, student achievement, teacher satisfaction, and retention (Darling-Hammond, 1999; Fletcher, Strong & Villar, 2008; Smith & Ingersoll, 2004).There is, however, insufficient data to assist educators and policy makers in determining the most effective or critical components of induction programs. There is scant consensus around a number of induction issues, for example: the most effective mentoring condition (full-time or add-on mentoring); the amount of time required to enhance the development of beginning teachers; the amount of professional development mentors need to be effective; and the level of match (subject or grade level) required between mentor and beginning teacher. Furthermore, few studies explore the different components of induction and their effects on teacher and student outcomes.Given such a dearth of evidence and the current state of induction policy, this study was developed to examine differences in student engagement and teacher instructional practice in two types of induction conditions: comprehensive full-time induction and add-on induction. These two conditions differed in- the amount of mentor participation in professional development on induction;- the amount of time mentors could spend on structured observations, reflection, and feedback focused on pedagogy;- mentors' abilities to prioritize induction efforts;- mentors' abilities to serve as liaisons between beginning teachers and administrators; and- the amount of professional development mentors could offer beginning teachers.The goal of this study was to examine the instructional practice of beginning teachers who were mentored in these two conditions and to explore differences in instructional practice and student engagement

The Effects of Peer Mentoring on Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of students with autism and their peer mentors that may contribute to the success of peer-mediated intervention strategies. Target students and peer mentors were matched based on skill level, age, and preferences; the students participated in a variety of activities throughout a week-long day camp. Peer mentors were taught how to interact with students, and behavior technicians were trained to facilitate these interactions. A qualitative case study was designed to determine patterns across the matched pairs. Findings indicate that peer mentor characteristics and the characteristics of the target student contribute to the success of a peer mentoring intervention

Student teacher perceptions of the role of classroom mentors on attachment teaching practice: the case at Morgan ZINTEC College

A case study of student teacher perception of the role of classroom mentors carried out at a teachers college in Zimbabwe.This study sought to identify the perceptions that student teachers hold towards their mentors whilst on attachment teaching practice. The sample consisted of 80 final year students. 80 questionnaires were administered to the students at the college. Focused group discussions were conducted with the students in the sample at the college. The study found out that student teachers have a positive attitude towards mentors, teachers with other responsibilities should not be appointed as mentors and that teaching practice is an important component of Initial Teacher Education. The study recommends that: teachers ’ colleges should conscientise mentors on their roles, mentors need to create a harmonious working relationship with student teachers and that a change of class and mentors should be kept at a minimum during attachment teaching practice

A Graduate Student Mentoring Program to Develop Interest in Research

Objective. To assess the impact of a graduate student mentoring program on student interest in research and postgraduate education and on graduate student confidence in mentoring. Methods. Undergraduate and pharmacy students (mentees) and graduate students (mentors) were matched and participated in the study, which required them to engage in at least 2 discussions regarding research and careers. Mentees completed a pre- and post-assessment of their perceptions of research, postgraduate training plans, and perceptions about mentors. Mentors completed a pre- and post-assessment of their perceptions about themselves as mentors and their confidence in mentoring. Results. Although there were no significant differences among the mentees’ perceptions of research or the mentors’ confidence in mentoring, qualitative analysis indicated that the mentees’ perceptions of research improved and that the mentors believed their mentoring skills improved. Conclusions. Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, implementing a graduate student mentoring program may help improve students’ perceptions of research and graduate students’ confidence in mentoring, which could increase student interest in postgraduate education and prepare mentors for future leadership roles

The Value Of Mentoring To Develop Student Teachers Work-Integrated Learning Skills

Mentors are expected to create an environment in which prospective employees can be trained to be productive and be able to excel when employed. The personal one-on-one mentoring is especially beneficial for potential employees, such as student teachers, to close the gap between theory they are exposed to at higher education institutions (HEIs) and teaching practice in schools. Motivated school mentors are expected to provide student teachers with work- integrated learning (WIL) skills of a high standard, particularly since these mentors are expected to be models of professionalism for the student teachers to emulate.The aim of the study was to investigate whether the one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification at HEIs adequately develops the WIL skills of student teachers. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to ascertain the relationship between the theoretical knowledge provided by the PGCE curriculum and the development of WIL skills of student teachers in the schools and to determine the perceptions of school mentors of the PGCE to develop the WIL skills of student teachers. The target population for this quantitative study was school mentors of PGCE student teachers. Data were obtained by means of a structured questionnaire for the mentors. It was evident in this study that mentors were well-trained to develop the WIL skills of their prot. The findings of this research, therefore, support the hypothesis that school mentors make a significant contribution to the development of the WIL skills of student teachers in the PGCE programme

Evaluation of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Peripatetic Assessment Model

The Health Visitor Implementation Plan 2011-15: a call to action, called for an additional 4200 health visitors to be trained by 2015. To accommodate larger numbers of students, specialist community public health nursing (SCPHN) programmes across the UK have undergone significant transformation in terms of practice supervision. Somerset Partnership NHS Trust introduced a peripatetic assessment model involving practice teachers and practice mentors. This differed from traditional one-to-one approaches of supervision to one-to-three. Practice teachers mostly supervised students through close collaboration with mentors who worked directly with students on a daily basis. Using a mixed methods approach, the evaluation aimed to assess the effectiveness of the new model from the perspective of SCPHN students, mentors, practice teachers (PTs) and managers. Data was collected through an anonymous online survey and individual interviews or focus groups. Overall, participants were positive about the peripatetic model’s impact on student learning and practice experience, in addition to the general up-skilling of the wider health visiting workforce and possible implications of continuation into the future. Any concerns raised focused on adequate preparation and support for mentors and the need for clear communication and role differentiation between practice teachers and mentors

College Student Empowerment and Impact through Community Mentoring: An Evaluation of Strong Women, Strong Girls

The contributions made by college students as volunteer mentors are incredibly valuable in building our communities; and it is equally valuable to recognize the outcomes experienced by college students through such experiences. This experience positions college student mentors as learners and leaders, and examination of such roles must consider such complexity. This paper examines the outcomes experienced by college student mentors through the nonprofit organization Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG). A mixed methods program evaluation was completed that utilized secondary data from SWSG to examine outcomes experienced by the college student program participants. The three key evaluation questions were: (1) Do mentors increase their sense of value of service and civic engagement?, (2) Do mentors develop professional and leadership skills that equip them for future careers?, and (3) Do mentors develop a critical lens to view and address social conditions that shape society? Through this evaluation, data supported positive outcomes experienced by college student mentors including acquisition of leadership skills and increased learning associated with developing a critical lens to address social issues. Future program evaluations should recognize the depth of the college student mentor experience and promote positive outcomes for these key mentoring program participants

Peer mentoring to secure student placements

Purpose This paper describes a case study where student peer mentors were employed to motivate and assist undergraduates to secure optional professional placement positions. Design/methodology/approach The paper describes the reasons for establishing the project and the recruitment of mentors. It outlines a survey of students who had not undertaken placements the previous year to try to identify the activities that would be most effective on the part of the mentors. It then describes the mentoring that was conducted. The mentors, together with the placement co-coordinator, devised support ranging from one to one mentoring, drop in ‘clinics’, online support through a social network and large group talks. It discusses the results of this work and evaluates the oral and written responses of both mentors and mentees. Findings Those mentees who took part in the mentoring were typically those who were already enthusiastic about placement opportunities. The majority of students did not take advantage of mentoring support either face to face or online. It was found that the mentoring scheme did not significantly affect the proportion of students seeking or securing placements. However, the mentors themselves gained tremendous benefits from the mentoring scheme in particular developing their communication skills and confidence. Research limitations A thorough survey of potential mentees was not carried out after the project to ascertain the reasons for their lack of engagement. Practical implications There are two separate implications of this project: 1) The mentoring scheme was valuable primarily for the mentors and not the mentees and 2) The level of support provided by the University is not the main factor in the low take up of optional placement opportunities. If such learning opportunities are felt to be sufficiently valuable for the student learning experience they need to be compulsory with appropriate support available – a mentoring scheme might then be of far more value to mentees. Originality/value There is very little published concerning the use of mentoring to facilitate work based learning. Furthermore most published work on mentoring is located in the ‘best practice’ school of pedagogical research where it is implicitly assumed that one must report on the success of an intervention. Frequently it is more valuable to examine more unexpected results of an intervention. This paper however shows much greater benefits achieved by the mentors than the mentees