What does the concept of supernumerary status mean to both mentors and students?
To the mentor it means that the student is not counted in the number of staff who are needed to maintain the function of the placement environment. However the student should be involved in as many aspects of care delivery as is appropriate to the experience. Students should work a pattern of off-duty that enables them to gain as wide a picture as possible of the range of experiences offered on the placement. Student should not feel that they are counted in the `ward numbers´. They should feel able to seek out as many learning opportunities and experiences as possible on placement. This does not however mean they can `come and go´ as they please or dictate their own off duty. The key concept should be negotiation.
