# 3.1 The purpose of assessment

The assessment of a student nurse’s practical skills, underpinned by theoretical knowledge is central in ensuring that our future registrants meet the required professional standards of practice and deliver safe patient care.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council describe assessment in the following way:

> as evidence based, robust and objective. Assessments and confirmation of proficiency are based on an understanding of student achievements across theory and practice. Assessments and confirmation of proficiency are timely, providing assurance of student achievements and competence.

(NMC, 2018a)

OpenLearn - Practice supervision and assessment in nursing
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