What are the key dimensions of the personal tutor role for nurse education today? A literature review.

Background. The accepted position of the personal tutor role from the background literature includes both pastoral care and academic support. Recent government led initiatives of widening access to higher education, the Dearing report (NCIHE, 1997) and the National Student Survey (HEFCE, 2006) have changed higher education and affected the personal tutor role. The implication of these initiatives for nurse education is unclear. Aim. The aim of this literature review is to explore the dimensions of the personal tutor role in higher education and how the expanding role of the personal tutor will impact on nurse education