<p>This article discusses the role of the university-based clinical facilitator in the nursing home setting. The Institute of Health and Community Studies at Bournemouth University has clinical facilitators in place to support practice learning for student nurses, and has also appointed similar staff in the acute trust hospitals and in the community. The clinical facilitators appointed all held clinical roles, and employment in most cases was in the private sector. Their appointment will influence the future development of the role of the link lecturer. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the role will be very important in considering future support for practice.</p>