Original Research

Describing the perceptions of student nurses regarding barriers and benefits of a peer-mentorship programme in a clinical setting in KwaZulu-Natal

Zanele P. Mlaba, Waheedha Emmamally
Health SA Gesondheid | Vol 24 | a1118 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v24i0.1118 | © 2019 Waheedha Emmamally | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 05 February 2018 | Published: 08 October 2019

About the author(s)

Zanele P. Mlaba, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Waheedha Emmamally, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Novice student nurses encounter challenges when making the transition to clinical learning because of the complex and unpredictable nature of clinical settings. A selected campus initiated a peer-mentoring programme based on research findings, which revealed that student nurses were inadequately mentored in clinical settings because of mentors experiencing work overload, time and resource constraints, staff shortage and patient-care demands.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of student nurses regarding barriers and benefits of a peer-mentorship programme in a clinical setting.

Setting: The study was conducted in a clinical setting in KwaZulu-Natal.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive design was used, whereby data were collected through questionnaires. A total of 56 mentors (third- and fourth-year nursing diploma student nurses) and 94 mentees (first- and second-year nursing diploma students) participated in the study.

Results: The mentors highlighted insufficient practice opportunities because of the short duration of the placement, time and resource constraints, and the simultaneous mentoring of too many students as barriers, while the mentees highlighted the reluctance of mentors to fulfil their roles and lack of dedication and unfriendliness as barriers to effective mentorship. The benefits of being a mentor were self-achievement, enhancement of skills and acquiring of positive work ethics, while the major mentee benefits included experiencing less anxiety, adapting to the clinical environment easily and being less intimidated in the clinical setting.

Conclusions: This study revealed that both mentors and mentees perceived peer-mentoring programmes as important to their clinical growth. However, these programmes require formative evaluations to address negative perceptions of student mentees and mentors and to identify challenges faced by them.


Keywords

student mentorship; barriers; benefits; clinical settings; peer mentorship; peer mentor; peer mentee

Metrics

Total abstract views: 3798
Total article views: 3946

 

Crossref Citations

1. Undergraduate nursing students' mentoring experiences in the clinical practicum: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) perspective
Jacqueline Maria Dias, Semiyu Adejare Aderibigbe, Mini Sara Abraham
Journal of Nursing Management  vol: 30  issue: 8  first page: 4304  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1111/jonm.13833