University of Stirling Western Isles Nursing students have nominated healthcare staff at the Western Isles Hospital as mentors who have made a significant contribution to their learning.
Nursing students have an annual opportunity to recognise mentors who have impacted on their learning experience. University practice learning coordinator and teaching fellow Gill McCannon, who organises the event, said: “The mentors enjoy the occasion and students like the chance to thank the mentors in a special way with mentors receiving a certificate indicating our appreciation. This is the third year we have run this nomination scheme and it has been very positive in highlighting the good work of healthcare staff and their influence on our students.”
Quality mentoring is fundamental to the consolidation of nursing and midwifery knowledge for students. A collaborative approach to mentorship of students helps to integrate practice and education. Throughout practice placements, each student is allocated to a mentor who is a registered nurse or midwife.
Third year student nurse Gary Cairns who spoke on behalf of all his fellow students said: “I had a wonderful experience with my mentor, and she really showed me what good mentorship was. I felt that I had much more of a partnership rather than a teacher student relationship with my mentor.
“It is clear to all the students that the mentors in Western Isles really push the students and want only the best for them. Good mentorship is so important because we learn so much from our mentors and we look to them for support and guidance. For the students being a nurse is a lifelong dream and the phenomenal mentorship we receive allows us be able to fulfil these dreams.”