1. Clinical Evaluations Using QSEN KSAs: Developing Tools and Strategies
The Catholic University of America
Cindy Grandjean, Mary Paterson
And Terry Walsh
June, 2008
QSEN Annual Meeting
Charlotte, NC

2. Impetus For Change Challenges with Prior Evaluation Tool
The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Impetus For Change
Challenges with Prior Evaluation Tool
Difficult grading algorithm.
Inconsistent grading implementation of clinical behaviors by part time clinical faculty.
Major Change in Curriculum.
Expanding and growing undergraduate enrollment.
Change in Grading Schema.

3. Grading Scheme Diadatic Scheme
The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Grading Scheme Diadatic Scheme
OLD GRADING SCHEME
A %
A %-92%
B+ 91%-89%
B %
B %
C+ 82%-79%
C 77%-74%
C- 73%- 70%
D 69%- 60%
F 59% or Below
NEW GRADING SCHEME
A %-100%
A %-93%
B+ 89%-86%
B 85%-83%
B- 82%-80%
C+ 79%-76%
C 75%-73%
C- 72%-70
D 69%-60%
In both schemes students
Had to achieve at least a
C to pass the clinical course

4. Grading Scheme Clinical Evaluation Tool
The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Grading Scheme Clinical Evaluation Tool
OLD GRADING SCHEME A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F
NEW GRADING SCHEME
PASS
FAIL
Matriculated according to class level
Matriculated according to Key for each course

5. Grading Scheme Complete Clinical Course Grade
The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Grading Scheme Complete Clinical Course Grade
OLD GRADING SCHEME
Average of
Didactic Grade (Ex., A, A-, B+, etc.) AND
Clinical Evaluation Grade (Ex., A, A-, B+, etc.)
NEW GRADING SCHEME
Didactic Grade (Ex., A, A-, B+, etc.) IF AND ONLY IF
Clinical Evaluation Grade is PASS
If Clinical Evaluation is a FAIL, student does not progress and FAILS the course

6. The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Development Process
Major outline of criteria tool needed to meet determined by BCC
Sub-committee developed to create a draft document
Review of AACN’s Core competencies
Review of QSEN’s KSA’s
Examination of School’s Terminal objectives and mission
Draft document approved by Baccalaureate Curriculum Committee and in undergoing pilot testing this summer

7. Description of Tool The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Description of Tool

8. S = Satisfactory NI = Needs Improvement U = Unsatisfactory
Core Competencies
Midterm
Final
Midterm Comments
Final Comments S NI U
Provides Patient-Centered Care
Values
Caring
Spirituality
Human Dignity
Ethics
Exhibits Teamwork and Collaboration
Communication
Personnel (Faculty, Staff, Patients, Peers, Family)
Oral (non-verbal)
Written (Documentation)
Roles
Incorporates Evidence-Based Practice
Critical Thinking
Understands & Applies Quality Improvement Methods
Leadership
Assessment
Promote Healing
Promotes Safety
Technical skills
Understands & Utilizes Informatics
Appropriate decision making based upon core competencies above and implemented with informatics support
S = Satisfactory NI = Needs Improvement U = Unsatisfactory

9. Pilot Guidelines Summer 2008 – N376
The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Pilot Guidelines Summer 2008 – N376  
Each student will fill out an evaluation at (1) midterm (2) final.
Each faculty member will fill out an evaluation at (1) midterm (2) final.
Each row item (boxes) must be checked at (1) midterm (2) final.
The Clinical Score will be completed by the Clinical Faculty by placing a “ √ “ or a “ x “ in the appropriate box for each student.
The Clinical Score will be completed by the Student by placing a “ √ “ or a “ x “ in the appropriate box for each student.
The score for Clinical Evaluation will be either “Passing” or “Failing”.
A passing grade will only be assigned if all the items are checked “S” at the time of the final evaluation.

10. The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Core Competency Key  
Each core competency (as outlined in BOLD on the tool and seen below) will have a template or key, which specifies individual guidelines and examples for each.
Provides Patient-Centered Care
Exhibits Teamwork and Collaboration
Incorporates Evidence-Based Practice
Understands & Applies Quality Improvement Methods
Promotes Safety
Understands & Utilizes Informatics
The keys are based upon level of matriculation in each clinical course in the following specialties: Medical Surgical, Psychiatric, Obstetric and Community Health Nursing.

11. Implementation focus areas
The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Implementation focus areas
360 Senior evaluation that would include staff nurse preceptors, patient opinion, clinical faculty opinion and student review. Intended for final clinical evaluation at the end of senior year.
Validity and reliability assessment of core competency key will include expert review, score-rescore assessment, and efficiency evaluation.
Student rating expectation management to assure clear understanding of pass/fail criteria.
Use of clinical evaluation in student portfolios.

12. The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Plan for Evaluation
Meet with faculty & students for input on tool post summer clinical session, revise tool and prepare for full pilot test in the fall.
Define procedure/criteria for assessing validity and reliability of tool post pilot test
Outline the evaluation protocol to be used and orient all faculty and students to the new tool and protocol