The use of structured assessments, practical skills and performance indicators to assess the ability of pre-registration nursing students to apply the principles of pharmacology and therapeutics to the medication management needs of patients

Abstract

This paper discusses how structured assessments, practical skills and performance indicators can be used to assess the ability of pre-registration nursing students’ to analyze and clinically apply the theoretical principles of pharmacology and therapeutics pertinent to medication management. The assessment strategy specifically aims to reinforce the development of clinical reasoning with regard to medication management and supports the need to prepare nurses to become multiskilled professionals who can meet the challenges of nursing. Learning through practical assessments can enhance the marriage between the integration and synthesis of research evidence and the application of propositional and process knowledge forms to nursing care. The ultimate goal is to educate for capability and in doing so, augment the transition from pre-registration nursing student to an effective and safe nurse practitioner.