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Mentors have a dual role as facilitator and assessor of learning for pre-registration students. Identify the challenges this presents for the mentor and critically reflect on two or three of the key challenges identified.

Introduction

This essay aims to discuss the dual role mentors have as facilitator and assessor of learning for pre-registration student and the challenges this present for them and critically reflect on two challenges identified. At present times, mentoring has become such valuable and exemplary practice. This is the reason that pre-registered nursing students have the opportunity to learn rather more professionally under competent mentors. In academic nursing faculty, standards to teaching are rising; wherein there is a carefully planned practical curriculum for the nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN), who are taught of their roles (Green, 2004). Half of student learning is in practice 50/50 theory which is an important part of each student`s education (Nursing and Midwifery Council, (NMC) 2010). Mentorship is a powerful personal development and empowerment tool (Ali and Panther, 2008), that all nurses in their pre-registration phase require developing their skills and gaining experience. This helps them in identifying their path of interest in the broad field of nursing and assists them in selecting what career path to choose for their future progression.

Who is a Mentor?

The 'NMC standards for mentors practice teachers and teachers 2008' to support learning and assessment stated that “a mentor is a registrant who, following successful completion of an NMC approved mentor preparation program - or comparable preparation that has been accredited by an AEI as meeting the NMC mentor requirements - has achieved the knowledge, skills and competence required to meet the defined out comes. (NMC, 2008, pp. 12)” Mentoring is mandatory for the educational and career development of pre-registered nursing student, and set by the NMC.

List of the Criteria

With the transformation of the practices of mentors, the importance of learning has enhanced. Therefore teaching is given more importance now because it facilitates as well as assess, which was previously just limited to facilitation (Green, 2004). The quality of teaching of mentors is continually tested. It can be either a satisfactory or good teaching. Crisp and Cruz (2009) outline that the role of the mentor extends further than facilitator of learning it also includes assessment. The NMC (2008) requires that the mentor to teach, evaluate, provide a good learning environment, build a good working relationship, identify and achieve learning goals and provide interventions when necessary as well as act as advocate and advisor for the student. This experience is self empowering as well as knowledge sharing, which has an input in student progression and career development. Facilitation of learning requires a range of skills that includes teachers' knowledge and understanding, expectations and planning with the methods and organization, management of students, use of time and resources as well as the quality and use of day-to-day assessment.

The Different Challenges in Mentoring

Mentors are able to develop the skills of pre registration nurses ...