Clinicals pass/fail

[Mkue]

Question,

Does anyone think that clinicals should be graded instead of pass/fail? Why or why not.

Is anyone in a program that is not pass/fail?

Thanks:)

[Love-A-Nurse]

the program i am in is pass or fail as well.

the fundamentals of nursing class has to be passed with 75% or better along with the pass of clinical.

i personally don't see how a letter grade would be helpful if one doesn't pass the lecture, moreove, isn't the pass of clinical the least you can make before failing?

or did i miss the point! hummm.

[Rena RN 2003, RN]

we are pass/fail for clinical too. i don't think there is anyway to actually grade a person for each individual action that is done at clinical.

for example, a person must be checked off in order to insert a catheter. the first time that skill is done in clinical, it must be demonstrated under the guidance of the instructor. now i guess at this point, the instructor could place a numerical grade on the procedure.

fast forward a couple of semesters/quarters to a time when the student nurse is supposed to be competent in her basic skills.....

the student has successfully performed a skill in the past. the instructor isn't around to watch every catheter insertion or IM injection or IVP drug. how would the instructor place a numeric grade on those?

i think pass/fail is the way to go for clinical BUT it should be backed up by extensive classroom and lab exams and quizzes. just so all involved knows exactly what he/she is supposed to be doing.