This study aimed at gaining an understanding of what the assessment meant to students holding a high school diplomaor equivalent and attending a nursing program. It was carried out at a private nursing school in the city ofSetoPaulo, Brazil. Data was gathered through a tool containing the following question: "what does assessment mean to you as astudent of a nursing assistant program"? The essays received were classified qualitatively according to the BARDINframe of reference. Results show that students perceive assessment as a set of meanings that converge toward what we call the TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS, EMOTIONAL FACTORS and The ROLE OF THE TEACHER.
Evaluation of the teaching process; Nursing education; Nursing assistants; Practical nurses