Abstract

Introduction: assessment is a critical factor in the quality of university education, and it is even more important in nursing students when evaluation is needed for clinical competences acquired in an innovative curriculum in complex settings such as hospitals with professional nurses not having a specific training in teaching. As suggested by literature, tools are needed to perform assessments in an objective, reliable, and valid way. Purpose: to validate a rubric to assess clinical competences acquired by first year nursing students. Methods: an investigation with quantitative methods for content validation by a panel of experts, using Aiken's V validation coefficient and reliability analysis by means of Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Operative system SPSS 21 was used. Results: a rubric was developed to assess clinical competences in first-year nursing students, including two specific competences, a generic competence, and seven learning outcomes. Content validation by a panel of experts using Aiken's V 0.88. The rubric was implemented in 55 students and a Cronbach's alpha coefficient for reliability of 0.83 was obtained. Conclusion: a valid and reliable rubric is a good tool for assessment in clinical learning settings. Teaching training and experience, including assessor's involvement and commitment to the educational program were key elements in the assessment process.