Objective To explore the exemplary role of "double-qualified" mentors in clinical practice.Methods A total of 42 nursing students from higher vocational colleges and universities were selected as the research participants, and they were asked to write the reflective diaries about their feelings, problems, and the exemplary role of the mentors during their clinical practice.Content analysis method was adopted to analyze the reflective diaries and refine the themes.Results According to social learning theory, four themes were refined: attention period (changing nursing stereotypes and stimulating enthusiasm for learning), retention period (correcting work attitude and learning to think independently), emulation period (parallel development of knowledge and skills and psychological quality), and motivation period (increasing clarity of career path).Conclusion The exemplary role of "double-qualified" mentors can effectively stimulate nursing students to take the initiative to learn and explore, and promote professional identity.Emphasis should be placed on the selection and training of "double-qualified" mentors, and giving full play to their exemplary role.