Link mentorship: improving support for pre-registration students and mentors

Abstract

A very distinct policy change has, over recent years in the UK, prompted a marked cultural change and a transition of health services from the acute sector to the community setting. This transition has a direct implication for current and future pre-registration nursing students and, therefore, for the mentors who support them in community placements. This article will explore and discuss an initiative to introduce a link mentor role to support and develop mentorship within community district nurse settings in respect of adult pre-registration nursing students. The role was implemented collaboratively between a Higher Education Institution (HEI) and practice. Initially 15 community nurses undertook the role which was evaluated after 6 months. Feedback from mentors was overwhelmingly positive and plans are in place to develop the initiative further.