Supporting student nurses in practice: experiences of staff working in social care settings in Scotland

Background/Aims One of the aims of the introduction of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for student supervision and assessment was to broaden the scope of practice learning for student nurses, which included social care settings. This multi-methods study aimed to gain an insight into the experiences of practice assessors and supervisors who are supporting students in social care settings in Scotland. Methods Participants completed an online questionnaire and were also invited to take part in an online individual interview to explore their responses in more detail. Four key themes were identified: time constraints; reciprocal learning; promoting the role of the nurse in the social care sector; nurturing and shaping nurses of the future. Results Staff in social care areas enjoyed supporting student nurses in their clinical areas and benefited from reciprocal learning. It also allowed them to showcase nursing in this area. However, they stated that time constraints did affect their ability to perform the role to the best of their ability. Conclusions Colleagues in academia and other areas of nursing have a role to play in ensuring social care nurses feel valued and supported. NHS Education for Scotland's practice learning resources are also integral in helping practice supervisors and assessors feeling prepared for their role. Implications for practice Senior care workers registered with their appropriate professional body can act as practice supervisors. Care home managers should ensure that they allocate protected time for nurses to perform this role.