This is to increase placement capacity, enhance placement satisfaction and improve patient experience.
This innovative project entails utilising the coaching method rather than the traditional mentoring.
This will challenge the students knowledge, thus promoting critical thinking and skill acquisition.
The team have worked in collaboration with two of the main Higher Education Institutes in the area that currently commission students to the trust, to implement the project as part of the curriculum. They have also worked closely with the trusts learning and development team to design a bespoke coaching programme to deliver to the ward staff, to include bands 3 and above.
The project supports the collaborative working as part of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).
This project supports the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) plans to modernise the current coaching/mentorship model by 2017, whilst upholding the ethos of the "Shape of Caring"report (2015).
The project has now been running within the trust for the last 12 months and feedback from the students who have participated to date are very favorable. They are saying they gained in depth knowledge; had a wide variety of experiences; were able to deliver consistent and holistic care to patients, whilst developing therapeutic relationships; increased their confidence with ward rounds, medication administration and handovers. They have all felt more confident and capable at the end of placement, with third years stating they are more prepared for qualifying.
Due to the success of the pilot the plans are to develop the project further and embed the process within the trust and to include other disciplines, such as undergraduate medical students and the allied health specialties.