The mentor as a role model and the importance of belongingness

Nursing staff are frontline workers and service users are constantly observing their behaviour and what, how and when they do things. Being professional at all times is essential for nurses and other health professionals. Student nurses in the learning environment will emulate staff nurses and mentors as role models for their future practice. This article will focus on the importance of role modelling and 'belongingness' in practice, and how mentors may influence the pre-registration student nurse while in the learning environment. This is the final article in a series of five articles on mentoring.