Theoretical assessment design: Best practices in pre-registration nursing education.

Abstract

Since the nineteenth century, assessment has been used in higher education. Assessment traditions, on the other hand, had to be adapted through change and innovation in a continually evolving higher education system. In an effort to address transformation in nursing education, nurse educators are tasked to ensure that current assessment practices remain relevant without compromising the quality. This study aimed to establish best practices for theoretical assessment design in preregistration nursing education. Following a robust literature search process following the five steps of Arksey and O'Malley's framework, a consensus to shortlist twelve studies was reached. Three independent reviewers were involved in this process to ensure rigor. The findings revealed that various factors have a significant impact on theoretical assessment design in pre-registration nursing education. These factors include: (1) the use of taxonomy framework to align assessments, (2) bridging the theory-practice gap, (3) nurse educators’ workload. These findings suggest that the quality and relevance of theoretical assessments design in pre-registration nursing education could benefit immensely when nurse educators place emphasis on constructive alignment with reference to the scaffolding of the assessment or for learning based on taxonomy frameworks and clinical practice.