Investigating the organisational impacts of quality improvement: a protocol for a realist evaluation of improvement approaches drawing on the Resource Based View of the Firm.

Introduction: Little is understood about the role of quality improvement in enabling health organisations to survive and thrive in the contemporary context of financial and economic challenges. We will draw on the theoretical foundations of the 'Resource Based View of the Firm' (RBV) to develop insights into why health organisations engage in improvement work, how impacts are conceptualised, and 'what works' in delivering these impacts. Specifically, RBV theorises that the mix and use of resources across different organisations may explain differences in performance.

Views of nurse mentors about their role.

The nurse mentor is important in the personal and professional development of undergraduate nurses, ensuring that nursing students are competent and well prepared for practice at the point of registration. The importance of a rigorous evidence base for mentors and fellow nurse educators to use to inform education and practice should not be overlooked. This article seeks to expand this knowledge base and acquire research data that is relevant, topical and in line with the latest thinking to support best practice in nurse mentorship and nursing student education.