title: Examinations and assessments in nurse education: examining the merits of devolution to local institutions of education and training.
abstract: This paper debates the value of devolving examinations and assessments to local institutions of education and training. It begins by putting forward the case for devolution through highlighting perceived limitations of external formal examinations. It then challenges the credibility of the former as an effective alternative by examining its merits while raising fundamental questions concerning potential difficulties and dilemmas associated with its implementation. This is approached from four perspectives--the student's, the teacher/lecturer's, the practical placement supervisor/assessor's and the patient/client's. Following critical exploration of both external formal and devolved examinations and assessments, the discussion concludes in favour of the latter system, which is now widely accepted and adopted throughout nurse education, and suggestions to facilitate its effective implementation are put forward.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Mazhindu
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration