Evaluating a nurse mentor preparation programme

Following the introduction of a regional nurse mentor preparation programme,research was undertaken within a health and social care trust to exploreboth the trainee mentors’ and their supervisors’ perception of this newprogramme. A qualitative study involving focus groups was undertaken. Thefocus groups comprised a total of twelve participants including five traineementors and seven supervisors (experienced mentors) who had recentlycompleted a mentor preparation programme. Data were analysed using Braunand Clarke’s thematic analysis. Three themes were identified from the data:personal investment (including the emotional impact of mentoring) contextualperceptions (environmental factors such as time) and intellectual facets(related to personal and professional growth). Comprehensive preparationfor mentors appears to be effective in developing mentors with the ability tosupport nursing students in practice. However, further study is required toexplore how to support mentors to balance the demands of the mentoringrole with the delivery of patient care.