To synthesise the best available evidence on mentors' experiences in mentoring nursing students during peer learning clinical practice.
A systematic review of qualitative studies.
Qualitative or mixed-methods (with a qualitative component) studies that met the inclusion criteria based on the phenomenon of interest were included. The selected studies were critically appraised using the standardised JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Findings from qualitative research were extracted and synthesised by using the JBI meta-aggregation approach.
A comprehensive search was conducted in September 2024 across six databases: Scopus, CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, ProQuest (Education collection) and MEDIC.
A total of 542 studies were screened, and 17 met the inclusion criteria. Three synthesised findings were identified: (1) Importance of pedagogical support for peer learning, (2) Mentors' support needs for mentoring in a peer learning model and (3) Characteristics of a favourable peer learning environment in clinical practice.
Mentors perceive peer learning as beneficial for nursing students' learning. The transition from the traditional mentoring model to the peer learning model requires distinct pedagogical approaches and competences from mentors, which can be enhanced by strengthening mentors' peer-learning competence.
It is essential to support mentors' competence in mentoring through peer learning by providing mentoring education. Learning models based on collaborative learning are beneficial for improving performance in clinical placements because they enable more nursing students to learn simultaneously in clinical practice.
This systematic review provides synthesised evidence of mentors' experiences in mentoring nursing students during peer learning in clinical practice. Mentors' role is to provide pedagogical support for nursing students in clinical practice conducted with peer learning. Before implementing peer learning in clinical practice, it is essential to consider the conditions for peer learning across various clinical settings and to provide support for mentors as they mentor nursing students through peer learning. These findings can support healthcare administrators, educators, mentoring education providers and mentors of peer learning in clinical practice.
This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
The protocol is registered in The Open Science Framework (OSF): 10.17605/OSF.IO/5F9HP
To investigate and compare the self-assessed professional competence of registered nurses, specialist nurses and midwives at a regional teaching hospital in Sweden. Moreover, to explore associations between potential predictive background factors and self-assessed professional competence.
A cross-sectional study.
Convenience sample of 615 nurses answered a questionnaire; sociodemographic data, 35-item Nurse Professional Competence Scale, Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistical analyses: Fisher's non-parametric permutation test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Mantel–Haenszel chi-square test, Spearman rank correlation test, calculating sum score. Multiple linear regressions and reliability testing with Cronbach's alpha.
Response rate, 58.7%; mean age, 44.7 years; work experience, 0.2 years to 45 years (mean 16.4 years); 83.4% women. 82.4% bachelor's degree; out of these, 34.3% with an additional master's degree. 17.6% nursing diploma without an academic degree. The highest mean scores for the NPC Scale were in Value-based nursing care, Medical and technical care. The lowest were in Care pedagogics and Development, leadership and organisation of nursing care. Total mean score 84.3, (79.3–90.0). Specialist nurses scored higher in all areas except Care pedagogics. Predictive factors indicated being a woman was positively associated with higher competence scores in all six areas, β coefficients 2.2–5.3 with p < 0.05. Longer nursing experience was positively associated with higher competence in Nursing care (β 0.17 per year, p = 0.01), Medical and technical care (β 0.14 per year, p = 0.01). The occupational self-efficacy scale was strongly positively associated with higher competence in all areas, β per scale step 0.42–0.63 with p < 0.0001. Nurses without academic degree had lower competence scores in several areas compared to bachelor's degree, β ranges from −3.47 to −2.31, p < 0.05.
Utilising competence data, the Swedish Enhanced Competence Development Model (vKUM) can effectively support the planning and management of ongoing professional competence development.
Study methods and results reported in adherence to STROBE checklist.
The nurses contributed their consent, time and data to this study.