Evidence suggests that "passing" students in the hope they will improve later in the course or as a newly-qualified nurse has serious consequences for patients, students and future mentors.

Student nurses highly value clinical practice and the possibilities it offers in the process of becoming a nurse. Nevertheless, the clinical environment is unpredictable and constantly changing, making it difficult to plan an optimal clinical learning environment for students. Add in the issue of a problematic struggling student and it can be overwhelming for the mentor. 

Keele University School of Nursing and Midwifery has adapted a flexible, systematic tool for mentors to support struggling students in practice using the nursing process.

This downloadable resource - supporting the struggling student: a tool for mentors - introduces this approach and provides the contact details of the lead.