National Clinical Final Examination for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 180 ECTS
The National Clinical Final Examination for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a tool for testing and assessing nursing students in a clinical setting and was developed in order to ensure an equal and adequate examination form nationally. The objective of the examination is to meet and reflect the requirements of the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Swedish nursing education, as well as the expectations of the professional health care field, of what a nurse at undergraduate level is qualified to do. The initial model was compiled and developed, tested and eventually evaluated by four universities in Sweden in collaboration with the Swedish Society of Nursing, during the years of 2003-2005.
The examination, which consists of two parts – a written part and a practical part – is written and carried out at the latter part of the final semester. The bedside examination, as well as the assessment form, is structured so that the examination/bedside can be carried out irrespective of where the student is doing their last placement/practical training (VFU), supposing the duties of that placement correspond to a general nurse’s field of work and competence.
After a thorough testing, the model was evaluated by nursing students, assessing nurses and clinical lecturers by the use of questionnaires. Most of the participants in the inquiry considered the model of the examination to be feasible and adequate in terms of the assessment of the nursing student’s competence at the end of their nursing education.
The National Clinical Final Examination for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing also showed to have an additional value by its evident focus on the nurse’s professional duties, as well as the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. At present, more than half of the 25 universities in Sweden with a nursing program have implemented the examination as mandatory in the curriculum, or are in the process of doing so.