The aim of this study was to illuminate what mentors emphasize when assessing the clinical performance of student nurses.
Background
An important and major part of the Bachelor nursing education takes place in clinical settings. The clinical mentors' duties involve teaching, guiding and assessing students' clinical performance. Assessment of clinical competence remains a challenge for students, clinical mentors and Faculty.
Methods
The data was collected through individual interviews with five experienced registered nurses working in a Norwegian nursing home, and analyzed by a phenomenological-hermeneutic method inspired by Paul Ricoeur.
Findings
The mentors assess whether student nurses are well-mannered, sensitive and understanding towards patients and co-workers, as well as the way they build their competency and professional identity. How students perform in these areas is important to the mentors' assessment of whether students deserve their trust.
Conclusion
Mentors and students collaborate through actions and dialogues and are dependent upon each others recognition and trust.
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