Document Detail


The enduring issue of assessing nursing knowledge: surgical nursing final examinations in Australia and New Zealand, 1905-1930.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19697982     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Finding the most appropriate way to assess knowledge is an enduring issue. In the past, nurses seeking state registration or professional qualification through nursing association membership were required to pass state final or association examinations. This historical research describes final examinations in surgical nursing in Australia and New Zealand, 1905-1930, when the examination process and standards were first being established. A comparison shows more similarity than difference between the two countries' examinations. Not surprisingly, the most common topic in this pre-antibiotic period was prevention of wound infection. Despite the generally high pass rate, analysis of published examiners' comments in New Zealand reveals concern about areas of nurses' knowledge and level of general education. Examiners were concerned to ensure an effective examination but also provided advice on how to pass it. The research contributes to a consideration of surgeons' expectations of nurses, and relations and knowledge boundaries between the two professions.
Authors:
Pamela J Wood
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Contemporary nurse     Volume:  32     ISSN:  1037-6178     ISO Abbreviation:  Contemp Nurse     Publication Date:    2009 Apr-Jun
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-08-24     Completed Date:  2009-11-30     Revised Date:  2012-03-02    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9211867     Medline TA:  Contemp Nurse     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  109-22     Citation Subset:  N    
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Australia
Educational Measurement*
New Zealand
Perioperative Nursing / education*

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