Evidence-based practices in mentoring student nurses in clinical placement: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

@#PURPOSE: Mentoring is an essential variable in the learning process of student nurses. This study aimed to identify effective mentoring practices in the clinical placement of student nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. The main databases used were PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, CINAHL, and Medline. The risk of bias was assessed utilizing the JBI appraisal tool. The data were summarized and statistically analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3.0 software. RESULTS: Out of 17,946 records screened, six studies met the inclusion criteria. Peer and nurse-led mentoring practices were reported to have positive outcomes in the students' clinical placement. Meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant effect of mentoring in the students' clinical placement (SMD 0.357, 95% CI 0.038, 0.677, I2 = 69.26%, p = 0.028). A subgroup analysis resulted in a statistically significant effect of mentoring by nurses and peers in the improvement of students' knowledge and skills (SMD = 0.426, 95% CI, 0.202, 0.650, I2 = 0%, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Mentoring can positively influence the interaction between a conducive clinical learning environment and positive learning outcomes. Specifically, this meta-analysis suggests that student nurses can benefit from peer and nurse-led mentoring in improving knowledge and skills. It is suggested that effective mentoring practices be utilized to inform the development of a student mentoring program.