An exploration of role model influence on adult nursing students’ professional development: A phenomenological research study

Abstract

Patients' expectations of being cared for by a nurse who is caring, competent and professional is particularly pertinent in current health and social care practice. The current drive for NHS Values Based Recruitment serves to strengthen this.How nursing students' development of professionalism is shaped is not fully known, though it is acknowledged that their practice experience strongly shapes behaviour.This study (in 2013-14) explored twelve Adult Nursing students' lived experiences of role modelling through an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach, aiming to understand the impact on their development as professional practitioners.Clinical nurses influenced student development consistently. Some students reported their experiences allowed them to learn how not to behave in practice; a productive learning experience despite content. Students also felt senior staff influence on their development to be strong, citing 'leading by example'. The impact of patients on student professional development was also a key finding.Through analysing information gained, identifying and educating practice-based mentors who are ready, willing and able to role model professional attributes appears crucial to developing professionalism in nursing students. Those involved in nurse education, whether service providers or universities, may wish to acknowledge the influence of clinical nurse behaviour observed by students both independent of and in direct relation to care delivery and the impact on student nurse professional development. A corollary relates to how students should be guided and briefed/debriefed to work with a staff to ensure their exposure to a variety of practice behaviours.

Mentors' self‐assessed competence in mentoring nursing students in clinical practice: A systematic review of quantitative studies

“…Good experiences in mentoring increase nurses' retention (Ward & McComb, ), and positive attitudes, engagement and dedication of healthcare workers enhance learning environments (Tomietto et al, ). In addition, planning clinical practices improves mentors’ attitudes (O'Brien et al, ), and mentors play important roles as role models (ideally displaying high levels of professional patient‐centredness and leading by example) in developing students' professional identity (Felstead & Springett, ).…”

“…Good experiences in mentoring increase nurses' retention (Ward & McComb, 2018), and positive attitudes, engagement and dedication of healthcare workers enhance learning environments (Tomietto et al, 2016). In addition, planning clinical practices improves mentors' attitudes (O'Brien et al, 2014), and mentors play important roles as role models (ideally displaying high levels of professional patient-centredness and leading by example) in developing students' professional identity (Felstead & Springett, 2016 Jack et al, 2018;Pitkänen et al, 2018). Education helps mentors not only to develop pedagogical competences, but also to improve their knowledge of nursing curricula and bridge the theory-practice gap, which often hinders clinical learning and contributes to the shock of transition from undergraduate education to a professional nursing career (Duchscher, 2009;Lavoie-Tremblay et al, 2019).…”

Dietetics students’ experiences of dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

“…Although the impact of educators on dietitians' career paths is less well known, it is evident in other disciplines, including medicine and nursing, that educators can significantly influence future practitioners' careers (97)(98)(99) . Beyond the academic setting, exposing students to role models in practice settings during their education has strong and demonstrated impacts on students' future professional endeavours (100)(101)(102) . Greater application of this concept in dietetics education could inspire students to thrive in the challenging healthcare landscape, create new work opportunities and forge dietetics careers in novel areas of practice upon graduation.…”

Strengthening Student Nurses’ Sense of Belonging Through Attendance at a Professional Nursing Conference

“…Nursing faculty members can facilitate the enhancement of professionalism in the clinical environment, where students may serve as patient advocates and collaborate with health care team members who serve as role models to the students . Participating in activities, such as internships between students’ junior and senior years of academic study, can enhance student nurses’ understanding of professionalism (eg, professional behaviors, work ethic, empathy) and increase their sense of belonging .…”