Alternative methods for clinical nursing assessment and evaluation

Abstract

The recommendations made in the article on nurse educators' perceptions of OSCE as a clinical evaluation method (Chabeli, 2001:84-91) are addressed in this article. The research question: What alternative methods of assessment and evaluation can be used to measure the comprehensive and holistic clinical nursing competency of learners in Gauteng Province is answered by an exploratory and descriptive research strategy. The perception of nurse educators (N=20) purposively selected from three nursing colleges affiliated to a University in Gauteng regarding the use of OSCE are explored and described. A descriptive content analysis was used. Trustworthiness was ensured by using Lincoln and Guba's model (1985). The result suggested the following methods, supported and complemented by literature: portfolios, self-assessment, reflective tutorials, authentic scenarios/problem-solving tasks, simulations (role-play, educational games), peer-group assessment, reflective journal writing, critical incident analysis technique and ward round evaluation. Many assessment and evaluation methods could be used depending on the evaluator's open-mindedness and creativity. This abstract was translated into English by the publisher or author.