Abstract: A study to determine the content validity of an education instrument to assess the clinical competence of Comprehensive Nursing Students and the reliability of the Nursing Teachers using the evaluation instrument to assess student Nurses performance depicted on videotapes of simulated clinical situations. 24 of the Nursing Teachers in a school of Nursing rated student Nurses clinical performance in simulated videotaped clinical settings. One half of these Teachers assessed the students without a specific evaluation instrument and their assessments were compared with the Teachers using the existing evaluation for assessing Nursing students' clinical competence. The evaluation instrument was judged to be valid in terms of content by the Nursing Teachers taking part in the study. Rated reliability of observer agreement was not demonstrated with 24 Nursing Teachers rating 3 Nursing Students' clinical performance as videotaped in simulated clinical settings. The usefulness of videotapes for determining observer agreement and as a tool for use in staff training workshops, in relation to assessing clinical competence of Nursing Students is established

Abstract: A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the experience of eight registered nurses and two hospital play specialists who care for children hospitalised with burn injuries. The research participants were recruited from a paediatric ward that offers centralised specialty care to children with burns. Emerging out of the data was the over-arching theme of 'passionate dedication' that shows the nurses and hospital play specialists genuine compassion and commitment to meet the needs of the children with burns. The findings of the study reveal that the participant's dedication is shaped and determined by a dynamic process that involves having professional integrity and in-depth knowledge of caring for children and burn management. The nurses and the hospital play specialists have a common understanding of what their role entails and the skills required to provide quality care and support to the children and the children's family. On a personal and professional level the participants encounter several challenges in this care context that are physically and emotionally overwhelming. Despite becoming overwhelmed the participants are revealed as being resourceful and resilient in their aptitude to find ways that enable them to cope and get through. The author suggests that this study supports international literature that suggests that caring for children with burns is equally rewarding, as much as it is physically and emotionally demanding. The author identifies that the implication in this study for the organisation is to seriously consider issues regarding productivity and efficiency of the workforce with acknowledgement that nurses and hospital play specialists cannot do this emotional work without effective systems of support in place.