For trained nurses that wish to develop their career and become a mentor, it is necessary firstly to consider the NMC guidelines with regards to mentorship of student nurses. The importance of the nurse's role in assessing practice cannot be over-emphasised, as the knowledge and experience of those involved in assessment of clinical work is crucial to ensuring the quality of tomorrow's nurses whilst simultaneously maintaining the Nursing and Midwifery Council's mandatory standards for mentors.
Assessment of Student Nurses
Ward-based assessment is required in each and every area of nurse training. Clinical skills and procedures need to be practiced so that competency can be achieved. Similarly, learning to communicate well with patients and colleagues is something that will be assessed on a continual basis. Nurse mentors must therefore have some understanding of the theory and methods of assessing trainee nurses. It is recognised that assessment in the real world of nursing practice can be indirect, vague and opportunistic. Similarly, according to Phillips, assessment practices vary across the country and each N.H.S Trust will certainly have its own particular training and mentorship system in place to guide nurses and trainees.
Firstly, it is important to have some understanding of how we learn new clinical skills. Then, in order for an assessment to be effective, there must be some acknowledgement of the assessment's validity and reliability.
