Summative Evaluation

Summative Evaluation

Summative evaluation occurs at the end of the evaluation period. It is comparable to your own annual performance evaluation, which typically determines if you receive a pay raise. The faculty is responsible for the summative evaluation of each student. The preceptor and student contribute feedback about the student's performance. The Capstone clinical practicum "grade" is either a "pass" or a "fail," and the faculty will determine it with input from both you and the student. The preceptor, student, and faculty will remain in continual communication about the student's performance throughout the Capstone period through feedback provided on the Evaluation Tool, student reflection assignments, face-to-face communication, text, email, and phone conversations. There should not be surprises for any of the participants during the summative evaluation.

The Evaluation Tool

An evaluation tool allows the preceptor to document student competency with course outcomes. In addition to course competencies, students are expected to master the interprofessional collaboration competency: Each student is an individual who:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of and commitment to interprofessional values,
2. Demonstrates knowledge and integration of interprofessional team meeting responsibilities,
3. Demonstrates knowledge and integration of interprofessional communication, and
4. Demonstrates knowledge and integration of practices to support effective teams and teamwork.

Review the partial example below of the competency evaluation form. 

Students must be scored a minimum of two (2) times over the course of their experience. (Example: for a student working 12-hour shifts, score after the 4th or 5th shift, and before or during the 9th shift.)

Assigned Rating

Which rating should you give the student? Remember, the student is a novice practitioner. Ratings for the first week may include scores of 1 or 2.

As Capstone progresses, student growth should merit scores of 2 or 3 at the midway point. You and the student will formally document ratings on the Capstone Practicum Evaluation Tool once the student has completed half of their scheduled shifts.

The final evaluation at the end of Capstone must reflect ratings of 3 or 4. Students must receive at least a score of 3 to achieve a passing grade. What is a new registered nurse on your unit expected to do at the end of the second week in orientation? This might be a typical outcome expectation for the student at the completion of the Capstone practicum.

Focus on student growth. The evaluation process is something you will do in conjunction with the student and the faculty. The preceptor and the student role is to provide feedback. The clinical faculty role is to evaluate the student.

Continue to the Learning Styles and Teaching Strategies module