The practice assessor must be a registered nurse, midwife, nursing associate, or specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN). For prescribing programmes, the practice assessor can be any qualified and experienced prescriber. Who the practice assessor will be is dependent on the student they are assigned to. Below are the standards for who we expect the practice assessor to be for each student:
Standards for student supervision and assessment:
Approved education institutions, together with practice learning partners, must ensure that:
6.3 nursing students are assigned to practice and academic assessors who are NMC registered nurses with appropriate equivalent experience for the student’s field of practice
6.4 midwifery students are assigned to practice and academic assessors who are NMC registered midwives
6.5 specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN) students are assigned to practice and academic assessors who are NMC registered SCPHNs with appropriate equivalent experience for the student’s field of practice
6.6 nursing associate students are assigned to practice and academic assessors who are either an NMC registered nursing associate or an NMC registered nurse
6.7 students studying for an NMC approved post-registration qualification are assigned to practice and academic assessors in accordance with relevant programme standards
Standards for prescribing programmes:
Approved education institutions, together with practice learning partners, must:
4.5 ensure the student is assigned to a practice assessor who is a registered healthcare professional and an experienced prescriber with suitable equivalent qualifications for the programme the student is undertaking
In 6.3 when we say ‘equivalent experience for the student’s field of practice’, we mean that the practice assessor’s work based experience or qualifications must help them to understand and assess what the student is aiming to achieve in their field of practice, for the time they are assigned to them. Qualifications can include those formally recognised by regulators such as the NMC, and other qualifications. It will be up to the AEI, with their practice learning partners, to decide what ‘equivalent experience’ is needed for each student. They should be able to show that their decision meets our standards, enables a fair and objective assessment to take place and upholds public protection.
If a person does not meet our standards they cannot be a practice assessor. Other people may take part in the assessment process, for example practice supervisors, but if they do not meet our standards and expectations for the practice assessor role they cannot be a ‘practice assessor’.
The role of assessing a student for progression is the responsibility of academic and practice assessors, working together. The AEI may appoint additional roles to support student learning and assessment across theory and practice. These roles could include those currently in use such as link lecturers or personal tutors.
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