Tong Li¹, Qi Feng¹, Yuxuan Ma¹, Bing Yang¹, Fang Huang^1,

Objective: To develop a contextual assessment method based on the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) for evaluating the clinical competency of newly hired nurses and validate its effectiveness in enhancing clinical skills, teaching quality, and patient satisfaction. Methods: A non-concurrent controlled trial was conducted from July 2024 to July 2025. The control group (n=43, 2024 cohort) received routine theoretical and operational assessments, while the intervention group (n=50, 2025 cohort) underwent the Mini-CEX-based contextual assessment. The protocol was developed using the Delphi expert consultation method. Clinical instructors received unified frame-of-reference training. Outcomes included clinical performance scores, clinical competency, and humanistic care competency evaluated via bedside contextual assessments. Results: The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher scores in: Clinical performance (90.5±6.2 vs. 79.3±8.1, P<0.01) Clinical competency (231.31±16.58 vs. 202.31±13.26, P<0.01) Humanistic care competency (230.21±22.38 vs. 205.21±23.26, P<0.01). Conclusion: The Mini-CEX-based contextual assessment objectively evaluates clinical competency in newly hired nurses, effectively enhances clinical and humanistic care literacy, and ensures assessment homogeneity through frame-of-reference training. This method provides a reference for standardized training evaluation.

Mini-CEX, Newly hired nurses, Clinical competency, Contextual assessment