Frequently Asked Questions

Can we sign students off if we are not competent in the skills ourselves?

Yes, you are signing off a skill using testimony from others and evidence collected by the student, therefore, if you are satisfied that the student has shown and provided adequate evidence to be assessed in the Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Values for the proficiency you can sign off the skill.

Does a student have to demonstrate the skills on a patient to show sufficient evidence for sign off by Practice Assessor?

The Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses document (NMC, 2018) specifies ‘the nursing procedures that registered nurses must demonstrate that they are able to perform safely’, further explaining ‘the annexes provide a description of what registered nurses should be able to demonstrate they can do at the point of registration to provide safe nursing care’. However, this does not specify that practice must be on a patient. This of course would be a natural route to support skill development and acquisition, providing that this could be done under supervision of a person competent in carrying out the skill. But it is accepted that this may not be possible in all settings due to staff skill mix, lack of need for a skill to be performed in a particular area, or other factors.

Does this mean that on qualification and entry onto the register, a newly qualified nurse can practise all these skills independently?

No, it will remain for individual Trusts to decide what form of preceptorship is deemed necessary and appropriate for all new nurses, according to role, location, skill requirements etc so this will be determined at a local level. Many Trusts will still require the completion of competency-based packages or training prior to independent practice of many skills. However, the completion of the proficiencies will support the process, in terms of readiness to practice.

My student is struggling to gather evidence in relation to a particular proficiency. How else can I help a student gather relevant evidence?

For helpful tips and ideas for encouraging students to 'think outside the box', and suggestions of other sources of evidence, please visit our Thinking Outside the Box page!

What happens when a student comes to an interview without any of the evidence discussed here that they need for sign off?

Providing evidence is the students responsibility, therefore if you feel that there is inadequate evidence for you to sign off don't. Its a really good idea to get your student thinking about sign off in your initial interview. Its important to point out to them that all educators are looking for evidence , discuss what that evidence may be, remind them its vital to sign off, and therefore their responsibility. It is also good to remind students that there is time pressure, there isn't room to keep re booking the final interview if the reason is the evidence has not been uploaded and completed.

Can we use evidence a student provides from previous placements, even if they were within a different trust or practice area?

Absolutely, students are encouraged to get testimony from others whenever they are involved in a skill in any way, be that a supportive role or practical role. This evidence can build up over time and will help you to assess increasing knowledge skill and confidence.