Bernadette Amicucci
CUNY-York College, USA
Title: Reframing clinical evaluation by exploring the experiences of nursing faculty
Biography
Biography: Bernadette Amicucci
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this research presentation is to share the process and findings of a phenomenological study which was conducted to understand the experience of clinical grading for clinical nursing faculty in pre-licensure nursing programs. This understanding has the potential to improve clinical grading practices including preparation of faculty for the role, and administrative support of faculty. Background: The role of the clinical nursing faculty is laden with responsibility and possible effects on patient safety and professional practice. Clinical grading is one approach to assure that future nurses have the knowledge and skills to provide safe patient care. Methods: Through the use of a qualitative phenomenological method, full-time nursing faculty were recruited to obtain a purposive sample. Outcomes: Findings from this study revealed five essential themes. These essential themes were collated to form a textual interpretive statement which illuminated the meaning of the experience of clinical grading for the participants. Significance & Implications: Implications for improvements in nursing education include faculty considerations, improvement in clinical objectives and evaluation tools, and administrative support. The translation of this research to practice can result in changes in educational policies. Improvements in clinical nursing education grading practices will result in better performance by new graduate nurses and have a positive effect on safe patient care.