Mentor Workshop: Supporting and Managing the Underachieving Students Facilitated by a Practice Education Facilitator

Workshop Aim: To raise awareness of the mentor role and responsibility, and the support available in managing the underachieving student

Workshop Outcomes: Discuss the legal, ethical and professional duty in assessing the learner Demonstrate an understanding of the process of managing the underachieving student Identify some researched reasons as to why underachieving students fail to fail

The Mentors Role A mentor is a nurse, midwife or specialist community public health nurse who facilitates learning, supervises and assesses students in a practice setting (NMC 2005)

Who’s Responsibilities? QAA practice placement standards Role modelling Appropriate level of supervision Continuous constructive feedback Documentation Communication Assessment Self awareness Accountability

Did You…….? Carry out ongoing assessment Write a Learning Contract Discuss and agree goals Allocate a mentor Orientate the student Welcome the student

Assessment What? Why? When?

Why? “Most Mentors are well prepared and carefully consider the decisions they make, but still give students the benefit of the doubt. It is rare for a student to fail a practice placement assessment” (Duffy 2004)

Failing to Fail Someone else's role Unsure of assessment documents Short placements Not working with student Previous experience Mentor confidence and experience Unpleasant task Nice student The socialised student Benefit of the doubt Not bad enough to fail No support from HEI Consequences for the student Poor/No documentation Threat of appeal Student anger/hurt Too much time and effort Too late to act (Duffy 2004)

… EARLY INTERVENTION IS VITAL

HELP!!! Mentor Peers Colleagues Practice Education Facilitator Link Tutor Personal Tutor Line Manager Resources

Discuss your concerns with the student and Document them early Seek support and Expect emotion Develop and action plan with agreed review dates Continuous comprehensive assessment - Provide Feedback and Document it Continue gathering your evidence Revisit the CAP book Review and adjust the action plan/learning contract Continuous Documentation Be confident and committed to protect the public You need input from all involved with the student Early Intervention Is Imperative Remain Objective Pass or Fail?

“There has to be the recognition that some students need to fail. It is inevitable that some students will not be able to meet the required level of practice and it is essential that mentors do not avoid the difficult issue of having to fail these students” (Duffy 2004)

Reliable Mentoring Facilitates learning Shapes our future Safeguards Professional Standards Develops practitioners who are fit for practice and purpose Safeguards the public – Duty of Care

THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS?