Abstract:
Background: Clinical mentorship lies at the heart of nursing education and its importance cannot be overemphasized. It is very critical for enhancing knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nurse students while in clinical placement and is an evidence-based strategy for developing skilled nurses. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced by Registered Nurses in mentoring of nursing students during clinical placement at Kigali University Teaching Hospital. The research methodology: was a descriptive cross sectional survey that used quantitative methods to gather information from the study population. The study participants were registered nurses and midwives from Kigali University Teaching Hospital. A sample of 95 nurses and midwives were selected from a total population of 413 in Kigali Teaching University Hospital. The data were coded, entered and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Presentation of data was done in form of descriptive statistics, frequency distribution and percent. Findings: showed that the nurses and midwives were familiar with clinical mentorship, 90% of respondents said yes and 10% of respondents said no about knowledge of clinical mentorship. The most challenges faced by Registered nurse and midwives were shortage of nursing staff, over workload, and lack clear policies about clinical mentorship. The recommendation of study: was to facilitate the establishment of mentoring relationships between clinical setting and schools organizations. This study concludes that the challenges practicing nurses face when mentoring students based on dual role of nurses to take care for patients and in same time to educate the allocated nursing students.
