Practical nursing students’ competence assessment in the workplace: A qualitative study

The aim of the present study was to describe practical nursing students’, mentors’, and educators’ experiences and perceptions of student competence assessment in the workplace. The research data were collected using a qualitative research design which included interviews with eight practical nursing students, 12 mentors, and eight educators from three vocational institutions and four social- and health care organisations in Finland during November 2019–September 2020. The data comprised six focus group and five pair interviews. The collected data were subjected to content analysis. A successful assessment of competence in the workplace is based on easy-to-use and understandable assessment criteria. The competence demonstration should be student-centered and executed in the workplace in accordance with assessment criteria. An individual competence assessment discussion takes place in a peaceful space with sufficient time allotted for the process. The student has the opportunity for self-assessment, but the assessor and educator decide the grade. The successful assessment and demonstration of vocational competence positively affects a student’s vocational development.