The purpose of this document is to provide you with an assessment framework and accompanying guidance and information in completing your learning needs assessment and learning plan. Hopefully you will find that the guidance provided in this document will assist in the development of a unique plan suited to your individual needs for practice.
The assessment tool in this document is broadly based on the guidance provided in the Requirements and Standards for Nurse Registration Education (NMBI 2016) which sets out the competencies that nursing students must reach on completion of the education programme for entry to the register. Prior to adopting a competence-based approach to assessment of nurses NMBI supported a research study that examined the use of a competence based framework in the assessment of nurses. In order to develop a user friendly and suitable adaptation and assessment framework NMBI also consulted widely with interested parties during the development stage of the framework.
This document is designed as a self-assessment tool that you can use in identifying your needs. The principle aim of the assessment is to develop insights for yourself into the knowledge and expertise that you will bring to your placement, in ways that will empower you to accept and exercise responsibility and accountability for independent learning, personal growth and self-awareness, and to demonstrate the competence required to have your name entered on the register.
The objective of the assessment is to enable you to develop learner-centred approaches that embrace the theories and processes of adult learning, to take control of your professional development. Given the cultural background, and the wide-ranging knowledge and experience you have accumulated, no single teaching and learning strategy will address all your needs. This assessment allows you to devise a strategy to plan for the challenges you may encounter as you move from supervised to independent in your clinical practice
In this module we will engage you in reflective discussions on the transition and with reflective practice during your practicals, we hope students will further develop critical awareness of their own needs for ongoing learning and development over their career.
We hope that the problem-solving approaches you will encounter over the course of this module and in the reflective processes that you will engage with during your placement, will enable you to assess and manage clinical practice/program in conjunction with your CPCs, preceptors, and peers. We also hope this process of individual and collective thought will encourage and enhance your work as part of the interprofessional team. It is envisaged that the student will be able to develop creativity in the approaches they use as well as get an opportunity to demonstrate initiative as an independent practitioner.
The assessment is designed to give you an opportunity to reflect upon your previous experiences, the theory and knowledge you acquired from class, and the depth of understanding you acquired from preceptors, to evaluate the journey you embark upon during your internship. You will at this point be familiar with the NMBI six domains of competence. The assessment is built on the NMBI expectations of its candidate nurses at point of entry to the register. The assessment when completed in conjunction with your learning plan should be incorporated into your portfolio. We encourage you to use both of these in discussions with your CPCs and preceptors on your future placements.
The Learning Needs Assessment Tool and Learning Plan are designed to be user-friendly and provide a framework for the discussion on competence that you are expected to have in your assignment. The focus is to identify learning opportunities that allow you to further develop independent learning skills and the performance criteria of competence associated with lifelong learning and continuing professional development. You should use your previous competency assessments from practice as these should assist you to identify needs from previous placement, as well as refresh your memory on past performance.
It is recommended that you complete this assessment prior to starting your assignment, as it should make the assignment easier to do. In completing the assessment, you should consider your level of competence at both internalisation and dissemination points, as expectations of competency during internship have higher expectations of competence, at these levels.
NMBI have determined that to practise safely and effectively as a Registered Nurse, a nursing student must demonstrate competence in the following six domains:
Competence is defined as the attainment of knowledge, intellectual capacities, practice skills, integrity and professional and ethical values required for safe, accountable and effective practice as a Registered Nurse. To determine if you have met the required level of competence, NMBIhas detailed performance criteria for each domain and relevant indicators which demonstrate if the performance criteria have been met.
For your internship, you will be expected to competently apply a systematic approach to the provision of person-centred practice to an allocation of people under the distant supervision of a Registered Nurse. Distant supervision is defined as the undergraduate nursing student providing safe and effective delegated nursing care to children/service users, persons and supports family members. The undergraduate nursing student accepts responsibility for the provision of delegated care and recognises when the guidance and support of the preceptor and Registered Nurse is required and seeks such assistance in a timely manner.
The student must demonstrate evidence-based practice and critical thinking in the provision of care while excising the capacity to support the service user and their families. The student also must be able to practice interprofessionally with colleagues within the clinical environment. The student should possess many attributes, including practical and technical skills, communication and interpersonal skills, organisational and managerial skills, teaching skills and demonstrate the ability to perform as part of the healthcare team, while practicing with a professional attitude, accepting responsibility and being accountable for one’s own practice.
DOMAIN 1: PROFESSIONAL VALUES AND CONDUCT OF THE NURSE COMPETENCES
1.1 Demonstrates safe, person-centred care
1.2 Demonstrates compassion in providing nursing care
1.2 Demonstrates compassion in providing nursing care
DOMAIN 2: NURSING PRACTICE AND CLINICAL DECISION- MAKING COMPETENCES
2.1 Assesses the person’s nursing and health needs
2.1 Assesses the person’s nursing and health needs
2.3 Undertakes nursing interventions
2.4 Evaluates person-centred nursing care
2.5 Utilises clinical judgement
DOMAIN 3: NURSING KNOWLEDGE AND COGNITIVE COMPETENCES
3.1 Practises from a competent knowledge base
3.2 Uses critical thinking and reflection to inform practice
DOMAIN 4: COMMUNICATION AND INTER-PERSONAL COMPETENCES
4.1 Communicates in a person-centred manner
4.2 Communicates accurately with the healthcare team
DOMAIN 5: NURSING MANAGEMENT AND TEAM COMPETENCES
5.1 Practises in a collaborative manner
5.2 Manages team, others and self safely
DOMAIN 6: LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP COMPETENCES
6.1 Develops leadership potential
6.2 Develops professional scholarship
