Assessments in the nursing field evaluate how well the nurse knows her job, and how competent she is in doing the job. The student or nurse is assessed and the findings are compared to a list of criteria deemed important to the institution. Failing to perform well on an evaluation can mean not graduating from nursing school, or even losing a job. Becoming accustomed to assessments in nursing school not only helps nursing students learn the specific task or curriculum, but also enables nurses to become acclimated to a working environment where their performance will be frequently measured and judged.
Knowledge of specific educational material and the ability to perform daily tasks rank high in an assessment. Some reviews might include whether the nurse administers the correct drug and dose. Some students and working nurses may be judged in time management, the ability to follow policy and procedures, awareness of patient issues and recognizing problems. Some institutions use computers to discern competency, while many use manually scored assessments.
A competency assessment evaluation is just that -- a measure of the competency a student or nurse demonstrates. Nursing students participate in class discussion, research, paper exams, projects and other presentations. Many nursing schools are now offering simulation labs as well. These labs test such skills as drawing blood, giving intravenous medications, listening to a heartbeat and taking blood pressure. Without this basic knowledge, a student cannot perform the expected tasks in the health field.
A competency performance examination is used with the competency performance assessment. The performance examination is used in a clinical setting, within a health-care facility where a student may be employed one day. Students are carefully observed and watched by staff. The students are evaluated on how they perform tasks and how they handle patient interactions -- and if a student plans to specialize, he can be reviewed on performance within that specialty. The student is then offered feedback on areas of strength and weaknesses. The performance exam combined with the assessment will give institutions a better picture of how well the student will function in the nursing community.