The assessment of good character in nursing and midwifery pre-registration students: A modified Delphi approach

To examine the perspectives of decision-makers when assessing the good character of nursing and midwifery pre-registration students in relation to their continued fitness to practise.

A qualitative iterative survey design in the interpretive paradigm.

An expert panel of fitness to practise decision-makers was established to examine their perspectives when assessing the good character of nursing and midwifery pre-registration students. A qualitative modified Delphi approach was used to collect data via an on-line asynchronous questionnaire through a series of three iterative rounds in 2016. Qualitative data from all rounds were analysed using thematic analysis. A final overall analysis and interpretation was undertaken.

The assessment of good character in nursing and midwifery pre-registration students is complex and appears to be heavily influenced by contextual factors including moral beliefs and the student's stage on the course. Determining seriousness and the potential for repetition of behaviour were key components of the decision-making process and were influenced by the student's ability to demonstrate self-awareness through reflection and remorse, and honesty and integrity through a professional duty of candour.

Educating students to understand how good character is assessed and the importance of epistemological reflection along with recognition of the student status in Nursing and Midwifery Council fitness to practise documentation is recommended to promote consistency in the assessment of good character between higher education institutions. Consistent decision-making with regard to good character may assist in maintaining public protection, trust and confidence in the nursing and midwifery professions in the future.