Clinical Evaluation in Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Programs: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

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Published on: June 21, 2010
1About the Author Patsy J. Butts, EdD, RN, CNE, is an associate professor, Middle Georgia State University Department of Nursing, Macon, Georgia. This article is a component of her doctoral dissertation at the Tanner Health System of Nursing, University of West Georgia. For more information, contact Dr. Butts at patsy.butts@mga.edu/.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to understand and describe how clinical nurse educators evaluate prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students in clinical practicums.
Background:
Clinical evaluation is used to determine nursing students' competency. There is no consensus about how competency is defined, which may lead to inconsistent clinical evaluation of students.
Method:
Clinical nurse educators who evaluate baccalaureate nursing students in clinical practicums participated in semistructured interviews via a web-conferencing platform.
Results:
Three categories emerged from the data: decision-making about practicum grades, making final determinations of clinical competency, and clinical nurse educator training in the clinical evaluation process. Five subcategories emerged: determinants in process, relevance of time, issues with practices, deeming students competent, and relevance of course structure.
Conclusion:
Implications for nursing education are offered related to the need for standardization in clinical evaluation.
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