Mentoring a student immediately prior to registration: a qualitative study

A literature search revealed limited research exploring the experience of the community nurse mentoring the student nurse immediately prior to registration. This qualitative study was undertaken in order to describe the lived experience of the community nurse when mentoring a final placement student. The study was conducted in compliance with relevant ethical procedures and institutional guidelines. Three focus groups were convened and the experiences of twelve community nurses working within a large city-based community health practice in Scotland who had mentored a student nurse immediately prior to registration were explored. Analysis suggests the community nurse mentors require support and development opportunities in relation to mentoring and assessing final placement pre-registration students.