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Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Developing an assessment tool for intended learning outcomes in clinical practice for nursing students
Johanna Ulfvarson1, Lena Oxelmark
1Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden. johanna.ulfvarson@ki.se
Nurse Education Today
|November 5, 2011
Summary
A new criterion-referenced tool, the Assessment of Clinical Education (AClEd), was developed to evaluate nursing students' knowledge and competence. This tool effectively assesses both task performance and the quality of nursing care provided, ensuring safe practice.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Clinical Competency Assessment
- Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare
Background:
- Nursing education has shifted towards a scientific and research-based approach.
- Effective assessment tools are crucial for verifying learning outcomes and ensuring competent nursing care.
- Existing assessment methods may not fully capture the nuances of clinical nursing practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new criterion-referenced tool for assessing nursing knowledge and competence in clinical settings.
- To create a flexible assessment tool that aligns with specific course objectives and levels.
- To validate the tool's effectiveness in evaluating nursing students' practical skills and care quality.
Main Methods:
- Integration of intended learning outcomes from a first-year nursing syllabus.
- Development of a three-graded criterion-referenced assessment tool named Assessment of Clinical Education (AClEd).
- Validation of the AClEd tool for its ability to assess nursing skills and care quality.
Main Results:
- The AClEd tool was successfully developed as a criterion-referenced assessment.
- The tool demonstrated validity in assessing nursing students' ability to perform tasks.
- Crucially, the AClEd also proved effective in evaluating the quality of nursing care delivered.
Conclusions:
- The AClEd serves as a valuable, adaptable template for assessing nursing students.
- The tool supports the evaluation of both technical skills and the quality of patient care.
- Implementing AClEd contributes to ensuring safe and competent nursing practice through rigorous assessment.
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