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Practice based learning

Practice supervision

The role of practice supervisor was introduced in the NMC Education Standards published in 2018. This changed the way in which students learned while they are in practice placements.

The NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (2018) state that the student will actively participate in their own learning: 'students are empowered to be proactive and to take responsibility for their learning'. One model of practice supervision that supports this approach is the use of coaching.

Practice supervision animation


The video below is a recording of a supervision session between a practice supervisor and a final year student nurse. This demonstrates how a coaching approach can be used effectively during practice supervision.

Practice supervision using a coaching approach

The RCN thanks the following people for participating in this video:

Emma Shepherd, Staff Nurse - The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Kayleigh McElderry - Wilkinson, Final year nursing student (Adult) - Northumbria University, Newcastle.


The video below from East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust shows how they have used a coaching model to change the culture of student nurses education, so that they learn how to lead care for groups of patients with the support of practice supervisors and members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Developing a student learning culture