Being a role model
Common to any supervisory role is the need to be a positive role model, always leading by example.
But what does it mean to be a good role model?
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) describe a positive role model in their ‘Enabling Professionalism’ report, as someone who is:
- Demonstrating and articulating clearly what professionalism looks like in practice
- Demonstrating positive behaviours and attitudes towards diversity
- Working within a clear professional career framework
- Supporting colleagues and students
- Celebrating personal successes and that of others
- Developing people to take on senior roles and supporting those in senior roles
- Treating others with a positive regard
- Providing meaningful and constructive feedback to others.
Note: Keeping the NMC Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates (2018) at the centre of your supervision and assessment can aid in providing direction. Students should be encouraged to read and refer to the NMC Code regularly. Professional discussions and learning opportunities can then be structured around the different elements of the Code.
Finally, the following activity aims to provide you with a range of questions and answers as guidance in support of your preparation for the role of Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor.
Activity 12
Review the following roles that are required to support students in practice. Note the preparation you need to undertake for each role depending on your experience at the time.
| What is your experience to date? | Preparation needed |
| Registration with no previous preparation. | Complete Practice Supervisor preparation programme. |
| Registrant who has completed practice supervision preparation during their pre-registration programme. | No further preparation is required, although will be revisited during preceptorship period. You are advised to discuss this with your employer for further advice. |
| Registrant who has successfully completed NMC Standards for Learning and Assessment in Practice (SLAiP 2008) approved course or equivalent. | You are advised to discuss this with your employer and establish if they will require you to attend a local ‘transition to new roles’ session which includes information about new roles and responsibilities and models of supervision and providing evidence to inform assessment decisions. |
| What is your experience to date? | Preparation needed |
| Registrant who has completed practice supervision preparation. | The Practice Assessor preparation and length of the course is agreed locally. |
| Registrant who has successfully completed NMC Standards for Learning and Assessment in Practice (SLAiP, 2008) approved course or equivalent. | You are advised to discuss this with your employer and if they will require you to attend a local ‘transition to new roles’ preparation which includes information about new roles and responsibilities, models of supervision and reviewing evidence to inform assessment decisions. |
| What is your experience to date? | Preparation needed |
| Registrant working towards or holds relevant qualifications as required by the academic institution and local and national policies, but with no previous preparation as either a Practice Assessor or Practice Supervisor. | Locally agreed – please contact your Higher Education Institution (HEI). |
| Registrant who is working towards or holds relevant qualifications as required by their academic institution and local and national policies and has completed practice supervision preparation during their pre-registration programme and has subsequently prepared as a Practice Assessor. | Locally agreed – please contact your Higher Education Institution (HEI). |
| Registrants working towards or holds relevant qualifications as required by their academic institution and local and national policies and who have completed any approved course under NMC standards for Learning and Assessment in Practice (SLAiP, 2008) i.e. mentor, practice teacher or Lecturer). | Locally agreed – please contact your Higher Education Institution (HEI). |