In the United Kingdom (UK) preregistration nurses and midwives are supported and assessed in practice by registrants who have undertaken an approved Nursing and Midwifery Council mentorship programme (NMC 2008). Duffy’s seminal doctoral work (2003 2006) around ‘failing to fail’ was a catalyst for change within the UK with regards to mentorship preparation and support. More than a decade later is ‘failing to fail’ still an issue for debate both in the UK and beyond?