Q & A Sheet 2: NMC Standards- Information for Sign-off Mentors:

Transcription

1 Q & A Sheet 2: NMC Standards- Information for Sign-off Mentors: The NMC defines a nurse as A professional person achieving a competent standard of practice at first cycle level following successful completion of an approved academic and practical course. The nurse is a safe, caring, and competent decision maker willing to accept personal and professional accountability for his/her actions and continuous learning. The nurse practises within a statutory framework and code of ethics delivering nursing practice (care) that is appropriately based on research, evidence and critical thinking that effectively responds to the needs of individual clients (patients) and diverse populations. ( Tuning, 2003 cited by the NMC, 2010). The primary aim in pre registration training programmes is to ensure that students are prepared to practise safely and effectively to such an extent that the protection of the public is ensured. NMC (2004:13) In order to ensure public protection the NMC needs to be assured that students have been assessed and signed off as capable of safe and effective practice at the end of a programme. NMC (2008:33) Q. When are sign off mentors required? A. A sign off mentor (same field/branch of nursing as the student) is required for pre registration nursing students only in their final placements (the last placement in the 3 rd year). Other mentors may review the student s progress at the end of years 1 and 2 (this will only apply from September 2011). More information regarding this will be detailed in FAQ sheet 3 about the new nursing curriculum. Q. Why do we need a sign off mentor? A. The role of a sign off mentor is to make judgements about whether a student has achieved the required standards of proficiency for safe and effective practice for entry to the register NMC (2008:6). The sign off mentor is therefore an additional gatekeeper in protecting patients and the public. Q Where do the Standards of Proficiency come from? A. The standards of proficiency define the overarching principles of being able to practice as a nurse in the chosen field and with any client group and reflect integration of theory and practice. The standards of proficiency are the ultimate outcome of nursing programmes. NMC (2004; 2010) and are the statutory requirements to practice as a nurse. The Learning Outcomes for each placement the student undertakes are developed from the standards of Proficiency. 1

2 Q. Where can I find the Standards of Proficiency? A. These are included in the Sign off documentation which will be sent to you directly from the School of Nursing and Midwifery. You can also find them at There will be new standards for all new nursing programmes from September These specify the standard for competence required. Q. When do I need to undertake the sign off of practice? A. You will do this in the final placement undertaken by nursing students. This is at the end of the three year pre registration programme. You will also have role in supporting mentors if a student is not achieving the required standard in their clinical placement. As a sign off mentor you will need to be involved if a mentor is failing a student from any year of pre registration training. Q. Does a sign off mentor need any special qualifications? A. 1 You will be registered on the same part of the register and working in the same field of practice in which the nursing student intends to qualify i.e. a Registered Adult Nurse for an Adult Nursing Student, a Registered Mental Health Nurse for a Mental Health Student etc. This is called due regard. 2 You will also have undertaken a Mentor Preparation programme (or the equivalent) and have had experience of mentoring pre registration nursing students, making judgements about whether a nursing student has the skills and ability to practice safely and effectively. 3 You will also have to achieve the requirements to maintain your live mentor status on the local register. This will be achieved by attending an annual update and providing evidence of involvement in mentoring a minimum of two pre registration nursing (or Return to Practice) students in three years (to meet the requirements of triennial review). Your organisation may specify more than this minimum number of students. 4 You will either have identified yourself or been identified by your employing Trust as a sign off mentor and you will have received extra preparation/support to prepare you for the role of assessing the student s proficiency. You may already hold a degree or have undertaken at least 1 module at degree level (but this is not mandatory) 5 Sign off mentors will be annotated as such on the local Live Register. Q. What is a sign off mentor doing? A. A sign off mentor is making the final sign off in practice, confirming that a nursing student has successfully completed all practice requirements. 2

3 You will be confirming to the programme provider that the student has met the defined standards of proficiency and is capable of safe and effective practice. This confirmation will contribute to the evidence submitted to and considered by the UEA School of Nursing and Midwifery Pre-registration Board of Examiners. The confirmation of proficiency forms part of the evidence submitted to the Board of Examiners by the Programme Leader, who confirms to the Board that all theoretical and practice elements have been achieved on completion of the programme. Q. How will a sign off mentor determine whether the student has achieved the Required standards? A. You will need to allocate time with the student to reflect, give feedback and keep records of their achievement in this final period of practice learning. This should be the equivalent of one hour per student per week, which might mean spending a bit more time early in the placement and should reduce as the student gains in confidence and competence. This gives you the opportunity to give the student effective feedback on their performance so that the ultimate decision on their proficiency is not unexpected. You will draw on evidence over a sustained period of time to make the final assessment of proficiency. Some evidence will come from your personal observation of the nursing student in practice and the discussions you have with them and their mentor (as well as the wider care team) throughout the placement. You will also draw on other evidence by reviewing the student s practice assessment documents, skills book and portfolio from their three year programme of training; these documents make up the ongoing record of achievement. This will help you to assess not only how the student is achieving in the final placement but how they have achieved in practice over three years. You can also discuss the student s progress with their mentor. Q. Will the nursing student have the usual assessment of practice document in the final placement? A. Yes they will have Year 3 Term C assessment of practice document which will be given to the mentor, who will assess the student and undertake the preliminary, intermediate and final interviews. As the sign off mentor you should also be involved in the three interviews. Q. What does the sign off mentor have to complete to confirm the student has achieved the standards of proficiency? 3

4 A. You will have specific Sign Off document to complete. The standards of proficiency are detailed at the back of this document so that you have the information required to confirm that the student has achieved the standards of proficiency. The document has clearly identified sections so that you can record your weekly discussions with the nursing student. The written comments will show how the student is achieving the standards of proficiency. This document is signed by the sign off mentor to confirm that the preregistration nursing student has achieved the standards of proficiency. Q. What help is available if the sign off mentor experiences any problems, for example if the student does not have the record of achievement available? A The student will be aware that the record of achievement must be available and that they are required to have this documentation with them. If you have any difficulties or issues, the link lecturer will be available to help as well as other members of staff from the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Practice Educational Facilitator (PEF) covering your area. Q What do I do if I/we have concerns about a student? A Either contact the Link Lecturer to your area or the student s Academic Adviser so that appropriate remedial action can be agreed to support the assessment of practice and sign-off process. If this is not appropriate or you have serious concerns complete the Reporting a Concern about a Student form. These are available from the School. A copy is attached as Appendix 1 with this Q & A sheet. 4

5 School staff, placement staff or student has a concern about a NAM student Reporting a concern about a student form completed. Deputy Head of School receives and reviews form. Reported to: Course Director Academic Adviser Head of School University Medical Centre Dean of Student s Office Students Union Other Action taken: None Fitness to Practice Panel Head of School Health Assessment Educational Assessment Other Action plan developed. Follow up action by Deputy Head of School/action plan reviewed. Copy of form held in student s file until the student completes the programme. This question and answer sheet has been prepared using the following documents. Nursing and Midwifery Council (2004) Standards of Proficiency for pre-registration nursing education. Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) Standards to support learning and assessment in practice NMC standards for mentors, practice teachers and teachers. Nursing and Midwifery Council (2010) Standards for pre-registration nursing. 5

6 These documents are available at 6

7 REPORTING A CONCERN ABOUT A STUDENT The purpose of this form is to make aware to the School any issues of concern about a student of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. This form can be completed by any member of School (academic, administrative or support staff), a member of staff from a placement area or a fellow student. The aim of this form is not only to make the School aware of a concern but to also agree on a supportive action plan. This form should be completed if there is a concern about: issues related to a student s attendance, timekeeping, dress, etc; a student s behaviour which may not be consistent with that of a professional e.g. lack of appropriate communication skills, breaches of confidentiality, difficult relationships with staff, colleagues; criminal convictions, charges, cautions, etc; a student s health and well-being. The above list is not exhaustive and if you are unsure of what is a concern please seek advice from a member of the School. Some of the concerns may relate to a student s fitness to practice and may be referred to the School s Fitness to Practice panel. Name of person completing this form Role of person completing this form eg Course Director, student, mentor, etc Student s name Student s programme of study Nature of concern (what happened) Who else (if anyone) is aware of this? Is the student aware of your concerns? What action have you already taken (if any)? 7

8 What would you like to happen next? Any further/ additional information And/ or Attach any evidence Date of completing this form Signature of the person who is making this concern known: Contact details of the person who is making this concern known ( / phone): Please send this form to Mrs Rosie Doy, Deputy Head, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cavell Building, Norwich NR4 7TJ The following sections will be completed by the Deputy Head, School of Nursing and Midwifery Date of receipt of form: Actions taken Date Individuals who have been informed of the actions taken (please tick) Course Director Academic Advisor Head of School Other (please specify) Date Comments from the Deputy Head Signature of Deputy Head of School Date 8