Nursing students examine mentorship as a bridge to professional practice

SCHOOL OF NURSING | HITHADHOO CAMPUS NEWS | 1ST NOVEMBER 2026

Students present the case for structured mentorship during the Change Management Nursing Seminar 2026

A student-led change management seminar explored how structured guidance and feedback could help newly graduated nurses navigate the demands of clinical work.

How can healthcare institutions help newly qualified nurses move from supervised learning into the responsibilities of professional practice? That question was at the centre of the Change Management Nursing Seminar 2026, held by School of Nursing students at the Maldives National University’s Hithadhoo Campus.

The seminar, organised as part of NUR 277 – Nursing Leadership and Management (BN Semester 5), focused on “Enhancing the Transition to Professional Practice: A Structured Mentorship Approach for Newly Graduated Nurses.” Students used the topic to consider a challenge that extends beyond graduation: the need for practical guidance as nurses adapt to clinical decision-making, professional accountability and unfamiliar working environments.

From theory to a workplace challenge

Presentations examined how a structured mentorship approach could define the roles of mentors and newly graduated nurses, provide consistent supervision and create opportunities for constructive feedback. The discussions also considered the preparation of mentors and the responsibilities of healthcare leaders in supporting the transition.

Rather than treating change management as an abstract leadership concept, students applied it to a specific proposal for improving support at the beginning of a nursing career. This required them to connect what they learn about leadership, communication and organisational change with the realities of healthcare practice.

Participants follow the presentations and discussions on nursing leadership and clinical transition

Why the discussion matters

The early stages of clinical practice can be demanding. A clear mentorship structure has the potential to make expectations more transparent, provide a reliable source of professional advice and help new nurses build confidence while remaining accountable for safe care. For healthcare providers, the discussion raises a wider question: how can support for new staff become a planned part of workforce development rather than something left to informal arrangements?

The seminar’s immediate contribution was educational. Students presented and discussed a practical model, considered the responsibilities involved and engaged with questions about how change could be introduced in clinical settings. These are relevant capabilities for future nurses who may be asked not only to deliver care but also to improve the systems in which care is provided.

A participant contributes to the discussion during the seminar

Looking beyond the seminar

The proposed mentorship approach was explored as part of student learning; the available record does not establish that it has been implemented in a healthcare institution or that clinical outcomes have changed. Its value at this stage lies in encouraging future nurses to identify a professional challenge, examine a structured response and consider the leadership needed to put improvements into practice.

By connecting nursing education with the conditions in which new graduates begin their careers, the activity reflects MNU Hithadhoo Campus’s role in preparing healthcare professionals to contribute thoughtfully to the needs of Maldivian health services.

Target 4.4 : Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and decent jobs.

Applied learning in nursing leadership, change management and structured mentorship, connecting academic knowledge with professional practice.

Target 3.c – Increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce.

The seminar examined structured mentorship as an approach to supporting newly graduated nurses and their professional development.

Target 8.8 – Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

Discussions considered supportive working conditions, supervision and professional guidance for new nurses.

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