Progressive clinical evaluation tools based on the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing competencies

Abstract

Despite integrating innovative teaching strategies in the classroom, nurse educators continue to struggle with evaluating students’ ability to provide safe, competent patient-centered care in the clinical setting. Members of the baccalaureate research and evaluation committee developed a set of Clinical Performance Evaluation Tools incorporating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for each of the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) competencies. Remediation strategies for each course were addressed with a separate tool, the Clinical Performance Remediation (CPR) Tool. The tools also include a section regarding professionalism. This manuscript describes the process and outcome for creating an evaluation tool that blended an effective combination of QSEN’s core competencies, the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, and the Nicholls State University baccalaureate program’s conceptual model. The tools were piloted spring of 2012. Nursing programs can enhance evaluation of students’ clinical performance by incorporating the newly developed clinical performance evaluation tools.