Nursing Evaluation
The evaluation of nurses practicing in schools is an essential process to assess an individual’s performance, ensure quality healthcare delivery, and support professional growth. However, in the school setting, non-clinical work performance and clinical nursing supervision and evaluation may need to be differentiated. Individuals without a professional nurse license (i.e., school administrator) is not qualified to supervise or evaluate clinical aspects of nursing practice.
Clinical Nursing Evaluation
When nursing clinical practice competency is supervised or evaluated, it must be done by a professional nurse (RN or APRN) with knowledge about nursing practice in schools. Supervision of nurse competencies, knowledge, and skills should be based on the most current Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, School Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, and School Nursing Practice FrameworkTM as applicable to the type of nurse being evaluated.
Clinical supervision and evaluation of nursing practice in schools ensures safe and high-quality care in being delivered in schools.
Non-Clinical Nursing Evaluation
Evaluating nurses practicing in schools in a non-clinical context involves assessing their performance in areas beyond direct patient care. Areas for non-clinical evaluation of nurses practicing in schools may include, but is not limited to:
- Communication skills, both oral and written
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork and collaboration with school personnel, parents, and community
- Adherence to employee policies and procedures (non-nursing activities)
- Cultural competency
- Classroom teaching methods
Non-clinical evaluation helps ensure that nurses practicing in schools are not only proficient in clinical skills, but also excel in communication, collaboration, and other essential aspects that contribute to a positive and effective school health environment.
NASN Supervision and Evaluation of the School Nurse Position Statement