Training in coaching to help qualified staff support student nurses.

Abstract

In response to the increase in student nurse places and its impact on the mentors supporting their practice modules, a number of coaching-based mentoring models have been piloted. These are facilitative rather than directive, encouraging self-awareness, responsibility and problem-solving skills. A one-day coaching course, run by educators from a higher education institute, was delivered to qualified healthcare staff in 12 NHS trusts. Evaluation forms revealed that attendees’ key learnings were the coaching models themselves and how these differ from mentoring. They considered the benefits of coaching to be increased student confidence and autonomy, decreased mentor fatigue and higher standards of patient care, while the challenges to implementing the model were preparing staff and students, time constraints and resistance to change. Following the workshops, the higher education institute has embedded the coaching model into its nursing curriculum.