Children's nursing students' choice of role models

Abstract

■ Twenty common foundation programme students and 11 child branch students completed questionnaires investigating their views about role models■ Learning from role models was connected with support, socialisation and learning about clinical and managerial skills■ Students expected their teachers to be, first and foremost, experienced clinical nurses■ Nurse teachers were heavily criticised for their absence from the clinical area■ Staff nurses were viewed as the principal role models for aspects of professional socialisation and practical skills, and sisters/charge nurses for managerial skills■ Students were seen as role models in terms of mutual support (primarily CFP) and in complementing each others' skills and knowledge (primarily branch)