Competency assessment methods – Tool and processes: A survey of nurse preceptors in Ireland

Determining student nurses’ clinical competence is underpinned by significant challenges including a lack of reliable assessments methods and multiple factors that impact on the assessment function of preceptors. The purpose of this study was to explore preceptors’ views and experiences of a competency assessment tool and process used to assess BSc student nurses’ clinical competence. Data were collected using a mixed method descriptive approach that included focus groups ( n = 16) and a survey of preceptors ( n = 837) in general, mental health and intellectual disability nursing in Ireland. This paper reports the results of the preceptor survey, which yielded a response rate of 30.4%. Findings revealed that preceptors had difficulty in understanding the language used in the competency assessment document. There was a lack of continuity of the same preceptor to students over the assessment period and over half of the preceptors gave less than 30 min to the formal interview process. Preceptors more often assessed knowledge and attitudes compared to skills. Matching preceptor roster with students, standardisation of the process and a moderator system to support the integrity of competency assessment is recommended.