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Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Exploring the formal assessment discussions in clinical nursing education: An observational study
Ingunn Aase1, Kristin Akerjordet2,3, Patrick Crookes4
1SHARE- Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Kjell Arholms gate 41, N-4036, Stavanger, Norway. ingunn.aase@uis.no.
Introduction:
According to EU standards, 50% of the bachelor education program in nursing should take place in clinical learning environments. Consequently, this calls for high quality supervision, where appropriate assessment strategies are vital to optimize students' learning, growth, and professional development. Despite this, little is known about the formal assessment discussions taking place in clinical nursing education.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of the formal assessment discussions taking place during first-year students' clinical education in nursing homes.
Method:
An exploratory qualitative study was performed. The data consist of passive participant observations of 24 assessment discussions (12 mid-term and 12 final assessments) with first-year nursing students (n=12), their assigned registered nurse mentors (n=12) and nurse educators (n=5). The study was conducted in three public nursing homes in a single Norwegian municipality. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings were reported using the Standards for Reporting of Qualitative Research.
Results:
Three themes were identified regarding the characteristics of the formal assessment discussions: (1) adverse variability in structuring, weighting of theoretical content and pedagogical approach; (2) limited three-part dialogue constrains feedback and reflection; and (3) restricted grounds for assessment leave the nurse educators with a dominant role.
Conclusion:
These characteristic signal key areas of attention to improve formal assessment discussions to capitalize on unexploited learning opportunities.
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