Empowering diverse learners through assessment choice in nursing education

Universities have been called on to make greater efforts to close attainment gaps among students from diverse backgrounds.

Evidence suggests that the way students engage with their courses can be significantly influenced by the teaching and learning approaches adopted by academic institutions (Universities UK, 2019). This is especially relevant in nursing education, where the student body is highly diverse, encompassing individuals from different cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. As such, the design of preregistration nursing assessments must be flexible and inclusive, offering choices that align with the varied strengths and needs of all learners (Bryan and Clegg, 2019).

Providing students with a choice in assessments is not just about enhancing their experience; it is underpinned by principles of empowerment, social justice, and inclusivity (Morris et al, 2019; Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2023).

Tailoring assessments to the individual strengths of learners can improve engagement and attainment, particularly for students with additional learning needs (O'Neill, 2017).