Facilitator Guideline - NNA

Clinical Facilitation
Network Nursing Agency
Evidence to Determine Assessment:
The gathering of evidence on all students’ performance in an impartial and transparent manner
informs the decision as to whether to award a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade to the
student for the placement. Students are assessed as to whether they are achieving their
learning objectives for the subject. This is a criterion-referenced basis for the assessment. In
criterion referenced assessment, the outcome is based on the student performance in achieving
their objective and not how they compare to other students at the same stage in the program.
Evidence relating to a students’ performance can be gathered from a number of sources
including, direct observation by the facilitator, feedback from the supervising nurses on a daily
basis, as well as feedback from the Clinical Nurse Educator or Nursing Unit Manager. The
information should be objective and form part of discussions when giving feedback to the
student. When the facilitator receives information from sources other than their own
observation they should endeavour to validate the information by their own observation or
questioning and discussions with the student.
A useful approach is for facilitators to make regular diary notes on all students throughout the
placement, including strengths and areas for development, issues/concerns, as this will enable
the facilitator to:
Provide ongoing objective and constructive feedback to each student
Ascertain how the student is developing in their clinical practice and if they have
incorporated feedback already given during the placement
This can also be used as a basis of further written documentation, if required, such as in
the event of an unsafe accident or unsatisfactory result
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