Benefits of hosting students

The benefits of hosting students

Placements are a vital part of the future workforce learning experience. By promoting excellent nursing practice, you can greatly contribute to the development of student nurse competence so that they will be able to make an evolving contribution to the services your organisation provides.

As a new placement provider you will:

• Enhance a culture of learning in nursing practice, making a significant difference to care experience and clinical effectiveness
  
• Raise your profile of expertise
  
• Attract staff with the right values to aid recruitment
  
• Receive funded places on the mentor course for your staff
  
• Receive a tariff payment for each placement you provide
  
• Be supported by Plymouth University
  
• Be able to develop your team through opportunities for staff to engage in critical inquiry and implement evidence based practice
  
• Enable your nurses to evidence continuing professional development, and address the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards (2008) required for the triennial review and NMC revalidation
  
• Celebrate the success achieved through collaborative working.

Frequently asked questions

What is involved in becoming a placement provider and how long will this take?

• An initial visit – to discuss learning opportunities and development needs of mentors
  
• The development of a practice placement profile for your placement area
  
• Completion of a learning environment audit
  
• The setting up can take from a few weeks up to six months.
  

How long are students placements and when will I know that a student will be coming on placement?

• Placements are between 6-14 weeks. You will be notified well in advance of a student commencing their placement with you (e.g. six weeks prior to placement start)

What is the mentor’s role in supporting students?

• Mentors are accountable for planning, coordinating and assessing students’ learning
  
• Mentors agree appropriate learning opportunities and facilitate learning experiences so that students may achieve required practice competencies
  
• The NMC (2008) state at least 40 per cent of student’s time must be spent directly or indirectly supervised by a mentor
  
• Mentors will participate in an annual mentor update and triennial review to remain on the live mentor register.
  

How are students prepared?

• Occupational health and Disclosure Barring Service clearance, mandatory training, skills-based training, preparation on professional behaviour
  

What support will be available?

• Ongoing support will be provided by the University for both student and placement provider (please see contact details)
  
• Online resources are available from Plymouth University website.