title: Assessing the competence of student nurses.
abstract: Competence is difficult to define. Continuous assessment of practice, which involves reviewing the literature, is complex. The study involved developing a suitable tool for assessing competent practice of student nurses. The problem was investigated using Personal Construct Theory and Repertory Grid Technique. The findings suggest that trained staff assess the socialisation process of becoming a children's nurse rather than the level of competence.
authors.affiliation: School of Child Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Stapleton, Bristol.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D013338:Students, Nursing