This paper reviews recent work on the support, supervision and instruction of nurse learners in clinical areas. Work published in Britain and North America is divided into five sections: ward learning environment; quantity of supervision and teaching; effectiveness of clinical teachers; ward teachers' perceptions of their role and mentorship. The findings can be generalised within their country of origin, but do not necessarily translate freely across the Atlantic in view of the different systems of training. More research needs to be carried out into the mentorship of nurse learners in Britain in view of its increasingly wide use, especially with the advent of Project 2000 and the implications of supernumerary status for learners.