The role of mentors in supporting pre-registration nursing students.

Students' practice experience is one of the most important aspects of their preparation for registration. There is currently considerable emphasis on improving this practice experience with adequate support and supervision. Mentors play a vital role in supporting, teaching and assessing students in practice. This article offers a literature-based discussion of the development and current practice of the mentor role in the support and assessment of students undertaking pre-registration programmes. The development of the mentor role is discussed. Issues relating to the role in nurse education today are addressed in relation to supporting, teaching and assessing students in practice and mentor accountability. This article discusses how Higher Education Institutions and universities and service managers might support mentors in their role. The implications for practice are outlined and include the NMC standards to support learning and assessment in practice due for publication in 2006.