Clinical Judgment Development and Assessment in Clinical Nursing Education

Abstract

Background: There is a gap in evidence for effective clinical teaching strategies to promote nursing students' development of clinical judgment (CJ). Purpose: This study examined the effect of active learning strategies (ALSs) during clinical postconference sessions on the CJ of undergraduate nursing students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study of ALSs or standard postconferences used the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR) to rate CJ at 3 time points. All faculty members and students were trained on use of the LCJR. Ratings were done by both faculty and students. Results: All ratings of CJ improved over time (P < .001). Ratings of CJ varied between the control and intervention groups. Conclusions: The findings of this study contribute to knowledge regarding the effectiveness of clinical teaching strategies for CJ and preparation for entry to nursing practice.

Aligning Simulation-Based Education With Didactic Learning in Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Education

“…Reflection on performance is a valid method for fostering deeper learning and is important for NGNs as they transition to practice. 2,6 The impetus for this innovative approach was the development of a new course within an existing nursing curriculum, which is described in an article by the authors. 7 SBE was created using the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) standards.…”

“…This alignment is the key to deeper learning and the basis for assessing performance of clinical judgment, decision-making, and competency. 5,6 Preparation for practice often rests in clinical learning and practicum experiences. Because of the nature of clinical placements in nursing programs, these experiences vary among nursing students, depending on the patient populations and clinical environments to which they are assigned.…”

“…As part of SBE, students complete a guided reflection once the simulation had been completed. Reflection on performance is a valid method for fostering deeper learning and is important for NGNs as they transition to practice 2,6…”

“…Creating these experiences calls for deliberate alignment of class, clinical, and simulation. This alignment is the key to deeper learning and the basis for assessing performance of clinical judgment, decision-making, and competency 5,6…”

Community, population, and public health nurse educators use of clinical debriefing

“…[4] Research has demonstrated that clinical debriefing is an important education tool to help students develop clinical judg-ment. [5,6] There is a dearth of evidence concerning clinical debriefing for community/population/public health nursing (CPPH) clinical experiences at the baccalaureate level. Additionally, no evidence was identified describing how CPPH nurse educators help students integrate theory and CPPH clinical experiences to facilitate clinical judgment.…”