Reflection on Mentoring a Student
The aim of this assignment is to critically reflect on the experience of mentoring and assessing a student in clinical practice. As the student was on a four week placement the assessment process will be discussed incorporating the qualities of the mentor and the effect it can have on the mentor/student relationship. In turn evaluating the learning environment and teaching strategies used including learning styles, reflecting on how they were applied to help the student. Finally, the evaluation of overall performance as a mentor. For the purpose of this work a pseudonym will be used to maintain confidentiality hence the student will be known as ’A’. ( NMC Code of Conduct 2007)
It has been accepted that assessment of students in practice is integral to the mentor’s role, it ultimately ensures public protection and patient safety as it should be the means of deeming a practitioner as either competent or incompetent (Watson et al 2002). The importance of assessment in practice has been reiterated by the Royal College of Nursing who called for provision of protected time for mentor’s and students to complete teaching and assessing (RCN 2007a).
In order to create an environment conducive to learning, the learner must be assisted by the mentor to identify their learning needs (NMC 2006). On ‘A’ ’s first day, after orientation, we were able to draw up a range of learning opportunities so that there was an awareness of what ‘A’ hoped to gain from the community experience. ‘A’ was also advised on the standards to be achieved throughout the placement . I felt it was important to ascertain specific personal boundaries in order to establish a respectable mentor / student relationship( ) .The initial assessment was carried out to identify ‘A’ ‘s learning outcomes, in this teaching/assessment strategies, learning opportunities were discussed. ‘A’ was encouraged to participate to aid planning. I ensured that each day time was made available for the student to
It has been accepted that assessment of students in practice is integral to the mentor’s role, it ultimately ensures public protection and patient safety as it should be the means of deeming a practitioner as either competent or incompetent (Watson et al 2002). The importance of assessment in practice has been reiterated by the Royal College of Nursing who called for provision of protected time for mentor’s and students to complete teaching and assessing (RCN 2007a).
In order to create an environment conducive to learning, the learner must be assisted by the mentor to identify their learning needs (NMC 2006). On ‘A’ ’s first day, after orientation, we were able to draw up a range of learning opportunities so that there was an awareness of what ‘A’ hoped to gain from the community experience. ‘A’ was also advised on the standards to be achieved throughout the placement . I felt it was important to ascertain specific personal boundaries in order to establish a respectable mentor / student relationship( ) .The initial assessment was carried out to identify ‘A’ ‘s learning outcomes, in this teaching/assessment strategies, learning opportunities were discussed. ‘A’ was encouraged to participate to aid planning. I ensured that each day time was made available for the student to