Challenges in student nurse mentoring in clinical practice Background: In Norwegian bachelor nurse education, 50% of the program is studies in the praxis arena where nurse clinicians have the day-today responsibility for student mentoring. Studies show that further knowledge and research are needed addressing clinical nurse instructors' experiences as student mentors. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to reveal and describe challenges that nurse instructors encounter as student mentors. Method: A qualitative focus group interview study with experienced nurse instructors at a Norwegian hospital. A phenomenologicalhermeneutical analytical method is utilised. Results: The instructors find it challenging to balance responsibilities to their patients and their student mentoring responsibilities. They want clearer schedules regarding mentoring and more time to spend with students. Conclusion: The nurses enjoy their job as instructors even though they feel torn between their roles as nurses and clinical mentors. Although they feel unsure as mentors and wish for more support and advice from the college teachers, they undertake a large amount of mentoring and evaluative responsibilities regarding the student nurses' clinical studies. Findings indicate the need for more knowledge about how clinical nurse instructors cope with challenging mentoring and evaluative situations.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract