Fifty-nine students enrolled in Nursing II at the College of San Mateo completed an assessment tool designed to measure students' perceptions of their knowledge, skills, and understanding in terms of specific course objectives. The assessment instrument consisted of 16 objectives in eight subject areas (basic physical, emotional, and socio-cultural needs of people; communication techniques; individual needs in health and illness; pharmacology; dynamics of mental health and illness; treatment and prevention of mental illness; effects of people on each other; and concepts of groups) and in eight skill areas (skills in problem-solving, practicing communication techniques, identifying faulty and adequate communication patterns, assessing and using verbal and non-verbal cues, implementing a flexible approach to people, assisting patients to deal with problems, using patients' strengths, and setting limits on inappropriate behavior). Students were surveyed at the beginning and midpoint of the spring semester. Comparisons revealed a significant increase in students' perceptions of their achieved knowledge, understanding, and skills in communication. A review of related literature introduces the report, and course objectives and the assessment instrument are appended. (DR)