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Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor Preparation

This section is about how nurses and midwives can prepare for the Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor roles in order to support future generations of nurses and midwives through effective practice supervision and assessment.

Background

Following publication of the NMC Standards of Education (2018), NHSGGC updated the way we support student nurses and midwives on practice placements. As a result, the mentor evolved into two separate roles, namely the Practice Supervisor (PS) and Practice Assessor (PA).

Preparation at a glance

No previous involvement with the mentorship programme? Please complete the WoS Self-Preparation Form. For Practice Supervisors only, completion of TURAS Units 1-4 will take around 10 hours. For Practice Assessors, completion of Units 5 and 6 will take an additional 6 hours.

Previously a mentor / sign-off mentor / practice teacher? Instead follow and complete the steps within the WoS Transition Form.

Please note that regardless of the form used, you must keep a copy of the form. This is in-line with NMC Standards for Education (2018) and NES Quality Standards for Practice Learning (2020)

Protected Learning Time

Scottish Executive Nurse Directors approved 16 hours of protected learning time to enable nursing and midwifery registrants from NHSGGC to undertake Practice Supervisor (10 hours) and Practice Assessor (additional 6 hours) preparation. This applies to you if you were not previously a mentor, sign-off mentor or practice teacher. Furthermore, you do not need to take protected learning time in a block and should receive support in line with service delivery needs.

At the point of registration, graduate nurses and midwives from Scottish universities should have undertaken supervisor preparation as part of their undergraduate programmes and be “supervisor-ready”. Therefore, all NQNs / NQMs should only be required to complete Assessor preparation (6 hours). 

Allied Health Professionals as Practice Supervisors

Typically, Allied Health Professional (AHP) colleagues who are suitably prepared as PSs can sign-off on the Skills and Procedures sections of the PAD, but are not expected to act as the nominated Practice Supervisor.

More information about the preparation work needed for AHP colleagues.

The three roles of practice supervisor, practice assessor and academic assessor required for the supervision and assessment of student nurses and midwives
The three roles undertaking the supervision and assessment of student nurses and midwives

Further Information

A number of bite size sessions, produced under the West of Scotland Regional Approach, to support Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor preparation and development are available to view:

Introduction to the National Practice Assessment Document (PAD)
Preparing the learning environment
Effective communication between Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor
Collating feedback
Constructive Feedback
Courageous conversations
Grading and assessment
Managing student concerns

NHS Lanarkshire have developed and shared an online resource to support Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor preparation, development and transition.

A narrated presentation about how previous mentors can transition to the new PS/PA roles is available.

Also, enjoy our audio podcasts at a time that suits you. We offer a series of 5 podcasts giving information on the new NMC standards and one dedicated to transition.

You are welcome to contact your PEF / CHEF for further information and guidance.