Online Mentor Update

Essential Skills Clusters

This was another key change to mentorship which came into force in September 2008 when the NMC introduced the Essential Skills Clusters (ESCs). These are skills identified by the NMC where achievement is necessary as part of pre-registration courses. They identify essential skills under broad headings to support the achievement of the outcomes and proficiencies required for entry to the branch and entry to the register. Whilst they do not identify all skills, they do apply to all 4 branches of nursing and have emerged from the NMC by identifying areas of deficit in newly registered nurses according to the NMC feedback and complaints mechanism.

Some of the skills will be assessed in the course through clinical examinations conducted by tutors in school. However some will need to be assessed by mentors in practice.

In CFP assessments in practice will be required for all branches in:

• Height, weight and BMI
• Fluid balance
• Dietary intake

(Vital signs, Aseptic technique and Medicine Calculations will be assessed in school).

In branch programmes assessments in practice will be required for:

• Nutritional assessment
• Dehydration
• Medicines administration
• Enteral feeding (not Mental Health branch)
• IV fluids (not Learning Disability or Mental Health branch)

(Patient Group Directions will be assessed in school via e-learning).

Checklists for the assessment in practice are contained in the Clinical Skills Booklets for all students who started their training from September 2008. (Students starting before this date are exempt from these). Each assessment has to passed only once in the specified part of the programme (CFP or Branch) but it is expected that the student will continue to demonstrate competence throughout the remainder of their course. The students can have as many formative (practice) attempts as they wish but only 2 summative attempts which must be negotiated and agreed between the student and mentor. There has been an amendment to the ESC assessment pages so that they are now carbon sheets and both student and mentor sign to agree the assessment can take place before commencing. The introduction of the ESCs has increased the role of the mentor in assessment as it is an additional requirement for practice-based assessment.

There is more information on the introduction of ESCs in the Mentors' Newsletter Autumn 2008 edition available online.

The ESCs are currently being evaluated and feedback will be given via mentor updates, PLT meetings and through the Mentors' Newsletter.