Patterns of clinical mentorship in undergraduate nurse education: A comparative case analysis of eleven EU and non-EU countries

Beata Dobrowolska; Ian McGonagle; Roslyn Kane; Christine S Jackson; Barbara Kegl; Michael Bergin; Esther Cabrera; Dianne Cooney-Miner; Veronika Di Cara; Zvonko Dimoski; Divna Kekus; Majda Pajnkihar; Nada Prlić; Arun K Sigurdardottir; John Wells; Alvisa Palese

doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2015.07.010

Patterns of clinical mentorship in undergraduate nurse education: A comparative case analysis of eleven EU and non-EU countries

Nurse Educ Today. 2016 Jan:36:44-52. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2015.07.010. Epub 2015 Jul 26.

Authors

Beata Dobrowolska¹, Ian McGonagle², Roslyn Kane³, Christine S Jackson⁴, Barbara Kegl⁵, Michael Bergin⁶, Esther Cabrera⁷, Dianne Cooney-Miner⁸, Veronika Di Cara⁹, Zvonko Dimoski¹⁰, Divna Kekus¹¹, Majda Pajnkihar¹², Nada Prlić¹³, Arun K Sigurdardottir¹⁴, John Wells¹⁵, Alvisa Palese¹⁶

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica Street 4-6, 20-081 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: [email protected].
² School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, LN67TS, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, LN67TS, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, LN67TS, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Institute for Nursing Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, Žitna ul.15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ School of Health Sciences, O'Connell Bianconi Building, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ School of Health Sciences TecnoCampus, University Pompeu Fabra, Avda. Ernest Lluch 32, 08332 Mataró, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Wegmans School of Nursing, St. John Fisher College, 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁹ Czech Nurses Association, Londýnská 15, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹⁰ High Health School of Professional Studies in Belgrade, Momcila Jovanovica Street 4, 11130 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹¹ High Health School of Professional Studies in Belgrade, Vojvode Milenka Street 48, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹² Institute for Nursing Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, Žitna ul.15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹³ Faculty of Nursing, Medical University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 10E, Osijek, Croatia. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹⁴ School of Health Sciences, University of Akureyri, Nordurslod, 600 Akureyri, Iceland. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹⁵ School of Health Sciences, O'Connell Bianconi Building, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹⁶ School of Nursing, University of Udine, Viale Ungheria 20, 33100 Udine, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26254673
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2015.07.010

Abstract

Background: In spite of the number of studies available in the field and policy documents developed both at the national and the international levels, there is no reliable data available regarding the variation of roles occupied by clinical mentors (CMs) across countries.

Objectives: To describe and compare the CM's role; responsibilities; qualifications; employment requirements and experience in undergraduate nurse education as enacted in 11 European Union (EU) and non- EU countries.

Design: A case study design.

Participants and setting: A panel of expert nurse educators from 11 countries within and outside of the EU (Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and the USA).

Methods: A questionnaire containing both quantitative and qualitative questions was developed and agreed by the panel using a Nominal Group Technique (NGT); four cycles of data collection and analysis were conducted involving key experts in nursing education in each country.

Results: In all countries, there are at least two types of clinical mentorship dedicated to undergraduate nursing students: the first is offered by higher education institutions, and the second is offered by health care providers. Variation was noted in terms of profile, responsibilities and professional requirements to act as a CM; however, the CM role is mainly carried out by registered nurses, and in most countries there are no special requirements in terms of education and experience. Those who act as CMs at the bedside continue to manage their usual caseload, thus the role adds to their work burden.

Conclusions: Whilst it is imperative to have respect for the different national traditions in undergraduate nurse education, the globalisation of the nursing workforce and greater opportunities for student mobility during the course of their undergraduate education suggests that in areas such as clinical mentorship, jurisdictions, particularly within the EU, should work towards greater system harmonisation.

Keywords: Clinical mentor; European countries; Nursing education; Placement; Standard of nursing clinical education.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / organization & administration*
European Union
Mentors*
Organizational Policy