Background:
There is a lack of longitudinal studies measuring student progression in clinical judgment. Previous studies measured gains in clinical judgment after 1 intervention or over 1 semester.
Purpose:
This study evaluated the development and progression of clinical judgment in simulation throughout a prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR).
Methods:
This retrospective longitudinal study evaluated clinical judgment using the LCJR over 4 semesters, with a sample of 53 prelicensure nursing students. Each student had 18 simulation scores recorded during the study. A linear mixed model was employed to compare LCJR average scores from the beginning to the end of the program and across each semester.
Results:
Eighteen simulations were reviewed among 4 nursing courses. LCJR scores increased progressively from the first to the fourth semester.
Conclusions:
Students showed progression of clinical judgment throughout a BSN curriculum using the LCJR as an assessment tool.