Simulation evaluation using a modified Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe the process of evaluating senior nursing students in the simulation laboratory using a modified Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR). BACKGROUND: The LCJR is a clinical evaluation tool used to measure outcomes in simulated learning settings. The LCJR was revised to provide numeric grading and clarity regarding expectations of clinical competency. METHOD: The study was conducted over two years with students enrolled in their final bachelor of science in nursing semester (Phase I, n = 86; Phase 2, n = 102) using high-fidelity simulation. RESULTS: The modified rubric measured student performance more holistically than a procedural checklist and provided objective criteria for evaluation. CONCLUSION: A well-constructed rubric provides a mechanism to evaluate student performance in simulation by focusing on clinical reasoning essential for patient safety and allowing numeric evaluation of performance.

Transition to nursing practice of accelerated second-degree baccalaureate students using clinical coaches.

Among the challenges currently facing nursing is the need for new graduates who are competent to begin providing complex patient care. Innovations in nursing education must lead to outcomes that bridge the gap between nursing education and the beginning competencies that employers need in newly hired graduates. One method for preparing students for patient care is the clinical coach model. This model involves placing a student nurse with an experienced, baccalaureate-prepared staff nurse for 12 months of clinical experience. The student works the same schedule as the coach rather than with a series of preceptors on different units. Coaches attend training conducted by school of nursing faculty, using high-fidelity simulation with clinical scenarios. Coaches and students are supported through weekly visits by clinical faculty. This model of clinical education is one method that provides innovation for clinical nursing education and a foundation for further research.

Evaluating continuing competency: a challenge for nursing.

Twenty-five nurse leaders met at an invitational conference in Texas to discuss professional nurse competency evaluation. Conference attendees who were statewide nursing leaders in practice, education, and administration identified ways to evaluate competency. Responses were recorded and clustered into the following patterns: (1) components of competency evaluation, (2) barriers and challenges to evaluating competency, and (3) recommendations for evaluating competency. Conference attendees reported competency includes the abilities to think in action, have confidence and clarity in decision making, and retrieve information throughout the career trajectory. Nurses must demonstrate the ability to access evidence-based information and synthesize it within the context of practice situations. Self-reflection and self-assessment are necessary components to competency evaluation for the improvement of nursing practice.

Promoting clinical competence: using scaffolded instruction for practice-based learning.

Competency-based education is essential for bridging the gap between education and practice. The attributes of competency-based education include an outcomes focus, allowance for increasing levels of competency, learner accountability, practice-based learning, self-assessment, and individualized learning experiences. One solution to this challenge is scaffolded instruction, where collaboration and knowledge facilitate learning. Collaboration refers to the role of clinical faculty who model desired clinical skills then gradually shift responsibility for nursing activity to the student. This article describes scaffolded instruction as applied in a Web-based second-degree bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. This second-degree BSN program uses innovative approaches to education, including a clinical component that relies on clinical coaches. Students in the program remain in their home community and complete their clinical hours with an assigned coach. The method will be described first, followed by a description of how the method was applied.

The impact of graduate education on reading for lifelong learning.

BACKGROUND: Reading is one means of achieving professional lifelong learning, and while nursing as a profession has an abundance of literary resources, the amount of time nurses actually spend reading is unknown. Previous studies found nurses who had graduate degrees, were in leadership positions, and held multiple memberships in professional nursing organizations reported increased reading time. This study examined the amount of time RN students entering graduate school and graduate school alumni spend reading as well as their primary purpose (interest, application, and commitment) for the reading. METHOD: A descriptive/exploratory survey research design was used. The Reading Activity Inventory Tool was administered to new graduate (entry) students (n = 47) during orientation to their graduate program and graduate alumni (n = 99) who were 1, 2, and 3 years postcompletion of their masters degrees. Participants were recruited from four Texas nursing schools. FINDINGS: The average weekly time participants reported reading professional literature was 10 hours and 50 minutes for the entry group and 6 hours for the alumni group. As to the purpose (interest, application, and commitment) of reading the nursing literature, there was no significant difference on total interest or total application among the four cohorts (entry students and 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-year alumni). Entry students had a higher total commitment to reading than alumni nurses. CONCLUSION: While entry students spent more time reading in this study, the alumni with advanced degrees seemed invested in the profession with significantly more journal subscriptions, increased memberships in nursing organizations, and consistent reading activities. Strategies to encourage all nurses to read for lifelong learning need to be explored.