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Sign Off Mentors Resource
Frequent Asked Questions
What is a sign off mentor?
A nurse whom is qualified to make a judgement about whether a final placement student nurse has achieved the required standard of proficiency for safe and effective practice in order to join the register as a qualified Nurse.
How do I become a sign off mentor?
- It is recommended that you have had sufficient experience as a mentor before training to be a sign off mentor.
- Be on the live register and have completed an update in the last 12 months.
- Be assessed on 3 occasions at doing the final evaluation of a final placement student nurse as being fit/ not fit for practice. Either by:
- Being observed in practice by a qualified Sign off Mentor or Practice Teacher.
- Undertake two simulated evaluations on the Sign off Mentor web site and one for real in practice by a qualified Sign off Mentor or Practice Teacher
How many assessment do I have to undertake to become a sign off mentor?
3 in total, 2 of these can be simulation through the use of this electronic interactive resource.
What do I do if I have any uncertainties with regards to a final placement nurse?
There are many resources available to you to help you make your decision.
- Initially speak to the student regarding your concerns.
- Initiate support as soon as possible if you have any concerns.
- Speak to other members of staff in the ward/ area as to their opinions on the student's performance.
- Contact the student's personal tutor.
- Contact other Sign off Mentors/ Senior Practitioners for advice.
- Contact the PLT link for your area.
- Contact the Practice Support Teacher(s) that are linked to your area.
What must I do to maintain my sign off mentor status?
- Similar to being a mentor you must have assessed 2 students in 3 years.
- Have an annual mentorship update.
- Keep a record of the students you have mentored and signed off (Excluding names).
- Keep evidence of continual professional development.
- Triennial review every 3 years as part of your appraisal process.
What information must I take into consideration before signing off a student?
- What level of the Bondy Skills Escalator Scale the student should be working at.
- The documentation from previous mentors in the Ongoing Achievement Record.
- Your own judgement of the Students performance and knowledge in Practice.
- The opinions of other staff in your area that has worked with the student.
- Evidence from the student's portfolio and other placement documents.
What is the Ongoing Achievement Record?
- Is a document designed in response to NMC request for information on the practice progress of students in line with the NMC requirements
- Provides a record of the individual's student's achievements of the set outcomes and proficiencies while on placement from their CFP/ Branch training.
- Record of professional progress from each of the placement areas the student has attended over the 3 years of training and notes on the student's performance and development
How much time per week should I spend dedicated to a final placement student?
- At least 1 hour (Proctected) for personal reflection (not necessarily with the student)
- As a sign off mentor you must work at least 40% of the time with the student while they are on placement.
What happens if the student qualifies and performs badly?
Once the student qualifies they are responsible for their own actions. Your decision to sign them off as competent must be based on your best judgement of their practice and previous performance at the time of signing. Is the Student makes a mistake after qualifying that there was no way of predicting, it is the students responsibility not yours.