Produced by David Kinnell, Lecturer.

The purpose of annual updating is to ensure that mentors: Have current knowledge of NMC approved programmes, Are able to discuss the implications of changes to NMC requirements. Have an opportunity to discuss issues related to mentoring, assessment of competence and fitness for safe and effective practice, (NMC, 2008).

 Assessment of Practice Record.  Ongoing Achievement Record.  Clinical Skills Book – Essential Skills Clusters Assessments.  Student Portfolio.

 This document contains either:  40 Placement Outcomes – C.F.P., or  62 Placement Proficiencies – Branch,  (NMC, 2004).  White, Yellow and Pink copies have been removed =  now in the Ongoing Achievement Record as from October 2007 cohort.  Encourage students to use a range of evidence to meet their achievements.

 From October 2007 all students will have new practice based documentation that will continue throughout their training.  There will be documentary evidence of any problems experienced in practice and the action plan implemented.  The Sign-off Mentor will have access to this in Semester 6; it will be monitored by the Student’s Personal Tutor throughout.  A sample of this document will be randomly moderated at the end of each semester.

 Practice Level 4 (Minimum Level: Semester 5 (L3) Semester 6 (L4)  I have practiced independently meeting the standards of proficiency, seeking advice and support as appropriate and demonstrating knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to this Practice Level.  Practice Level 3 (Minimum Level for End of Year Two).  I have practiced with decreasing supervision to achieve the standards of proficiency, requiring occasional support and prompts in the development of appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes.  Practice Level 2 (Minimum Level for End of Year One:  I have practiced with assistance in the delivery of care to achieve my practice outcomes (CFP) standards of proficiency (Branch) demonstrating knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to this Practice Level.  Practice Level 1 (Commencing Level for Common Foundation):  I have practiced, with constant supervision, in the delivery of essential care to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to achieve my practice outcomes.  (Replaces: Helper, Supervised / Participant and Assistant).

 The E.S.C.’s are intended to compliment the Nursing Standards (NMC, 2004).  They are a set of national skills statements that are intended to support existing outcomes and proficiencies.  5 different aspects, 42 statements identifying what the patient / client can trust a newly registered nurse to do.  They involve the process of calculation.  The assessments undertaken in practice must be recorded by the mentor on the Essential Skills Assessment - Record of Achievement which is in the back of the student’s OAR Document.

 The Essential Skills Clusters - 42 statements:  Care, Compassion and Communication (8 statements),  Organisational aspects of care (12 statements),  Infection prevention and control (6 statements),  Nutrition and fluid maintenance (6 statements),  Medicines management (10 statements).

 The mentors must now accept responsibility for some of these summative assessment undertaken:  Hand hygiene – maintained as O.S.C.E. in School = Then:  Measures Height, Weight and Body Mass Index,  Monitors and records Fluid Balance,  Monitors and records Dietary Intake = C.F.P.  = These 3 will be assessed by the mentor in practice.   Vital body sign assessment: Temperature, Pulse rate, Respiratory rate and Blood pressure – O.S.C.E. and  Aseptic Technique – simulation in School.

 The Mentor will assess Branch related assessments:  Nutritional assessment,  Hydration / Dehydration assessment,  Enteral Feeding (child, adult, L.D.),  Intravenous Infusion (Child, Adult),  Medicine Administration for an individual or small group (4 patients / clients).   Patient Group Direction Assessment – in School.

 Mentor must:  Agree date and time for the summative assessment.  Observe and verify that student has passed all criteria stated in Clinical Skills Book.  Sign the ‘Record of Achievement’ at the back of the Ongoing Achievement Record.  No Branch ESC in CFP!

 Students are responsible for maintaining their own Student Portfolio according to the guidance on the virtual portfolio tool.  The portfolio is a collection of a range of evidence that must verify the achievements of the outcomes (C.F.P.) or proficiencies (Branch related).  The Mentor must ensure that the student is collecting their evidence on a weekly basis, if possible, in order to maintain a continuous assessment approach.

 A change in the process:  Please note that these students will have an additional blue sheet = First Summative Assessment Record: completed in semester 2.  All students must achieve ALL 40 CFP outcomes at Bondy Practice Level 2 in order to successfully complete the CFP = Branch.  If the student is not competent and appears to be failing please involve Academic Link or the student’s Personal Tutor.

 Programme providers are bound by the general duties stated in the Disability Discrimination Act (1995, 2005) and must therefore consider any necessary reasonable adjustments required by the student.  For example, coloured overlays.  Programme providers should work in partnership to prepare placement areas for supporting students with disabilities. For guidance contact Fiona McCandless-Sugg, Disability Liaison Officer ( ).

 Code of Conduct:  Each student must abide by the code given to them at the start of training – see mentor website.  Mentor nominated Student Award:  This award will be given to a third year student in their final semester who has been nominated by a mentor.

 To be maintained on the local register the individual must have evidence of having:  Mentored at least two students with due regard within the three year period.  Participated in annual updating: this will be recorded on your Triennial Review Documentation Sheet.  Explored the validity and reliability of judgements made when assessing practice.  Mapped ongoing development in their role against current NMC mentor standards – linked into the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework.

 Mentor database – record of all mentors, initial mentor training and last mentor update requirement.  Do you know your status =  Contact: Jennie Cobbold (01623) or  Reference: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2008) Standards to support learning and assessment in practice: NMC standards for mentors, practice teachers and teachers. Second edition. London, NMC.

 Student’s Documentation in Practice.  Ongoing Achievement Record: Continuity of Practice Assessment Record (Initially known as the Student Passport – started as from September 2007).  Clinical Skills Book including the Essential Skills Clusters (started September 2008).  Triennial Review (Review your mentorship experience every 3 years to maintain your mentor status and currency).  Any Questions?