Clinical pathways: a tool to evaluate clinical learning

Clinical pathways are a means by which an instructor can objectively and effectively evaluate student learning and progress toward clinical outcomes. An advantage to use of pathways in one-time experiences is that the pathway serves as a criterion-based frame of reference for both student and instructor, since the criteria are the same as for other clinical experiences in that course. The faculty member thus has an objective measure of student learning and performance, and the student always knows the measure on which she or he will be evaluated. Clinical pathways are limited to brief experiences and are not designed to show professional growth and progress in learning over time. A pathway could be designed, however, to appraise critical thinking and professional behaviors associated with spontaneous incidents, such as a problem patient. Nurse educators can use pathways as a creative means to address student responses in a variety of situations.