Download Changes to nurse pre-registration education

National changes to nurse pre-registration education- FAQs
Key Messages
 Nurses are the largest single profession within the Health Service, and
are critical to providing care of the highest standard. The decision for
change came following the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC)
review of pre-registration nurse education. These changes will enable
nurses to provide high quality person centred care and more health
care provision closer to home
 Nursing is dynamic. The NHS is ensuring that the future workforce is
prepared for tomorrow. New education standards, including degreelevel registration will ensure future nurses continue to be equipped to
work in a modern healthcare system and will bring nursing more into
line with other countries and healthcare professions in the UK.
 Your experience, skills and knowledge are paramount to improving
quality of care and creating a positive patient experience. You have a
valuable role in setting an example for the future generation of nurses
and supporting and mentoring new students.
 The move to degree only pre-registration programmes continues the
direction of travel, which has seen an increasing proportion of new
nurses qualifying with degrees.
 The national framework for preceptorship, continuing professional
development, and ongoing appraisals will support jobs and working
lives that are more rewarding, with better career opportunities, and
greater job satisfaction for current and future nurses.
 The changes to pre-registration programmes are not just about a
change in level from diploma to degree. More nurses need to take on
leadership and management roles, and be able to meet more complex
needs of an aging population. They need to work alongside other
healthcare professionals as equal partners in the health care team.
Q&A
Will new nurses be registered on a different part of the register?
No. There will remain a single part of the register for newly qualified nurses.
Will I still be able to remain as a registered nurse even though I qualified
with a diploma/degree against the ‘old’ standards?
Yes. Your registration status will not change and you will not be required to
undertake any additional training. The new standards apply only to new preregistration nursing programmes. However, as a registered nurse you will still
need to meet the NMC post-registration education and practice (PREP)
requirements.
I qualified with a diploma; will I have the opportunity or need to ‘top up’
to the degree and/or ‘new’ standards?
There is no requirement to ‘top-up’ to degree level or to the new standards,
although, many nurses have chosen to ‘top-up’ their diplomas to degree level
as part of their continuous professional development (CPD). Regardless of
qualification, all existing nurses have developed their skills - clinical,
management and otherwise - following their initial registration.
Will Continuous Professional Development (CPD) continue to be
available to me?
The changes to pre-registration nurse education do not affect CPD
arrangements.
Will I be able to mentor new degree students?
In principle, mentors should be at a level equivalent to or higher than the
students they are supporting and assessing and it is acknowledged that this
can be demonstrated in a variety of different ways through both academic and
practice learning and development. Whether your CPD and level of practice
meets this criteria, will be determined locally by your programme provider.
What role does preceptorship play in all this?
Preceptorship is a transition phase for newly registered practitioners when
continuing their professional development, building their confidence and
further developing competence to practice. New arrangements are in place in
the NHS in England. The NMC currently issues guidance on preceptorship,
which is being reviewed as part of work on revalidation.
The Preceptorship Framework is also available on the DH website which
outlines standards for preceptorship and expected outcomes and benefits.
Does this mean existing graduates and diplomates are not fit for
purpose?
No. All existing nurses have developed their skills – clinical, management
and otherwise – following their registration and have skills and knowledge
above the level of their original nursing qualification.
Will the new students be ‘fit for purpose’?
Yes: Local curricula will be developed in partnership between universities, the
commissioners (those buying the programmes) and practice placement
providers in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. Half of the
programme has to include learning in the direct care of clients and patients.
Will half of the programme still be theory and half practice?
Yes: Students will need to undergo a three-year programme and will
undertake 50% of their education in practice placements, supervised by a
range of professionals and mentored by practicing nurses. They will have a
mix of placements and skills assessments in both acute and community
settings.
What will be the impact on my career progression?
Continuing professional development and ongoing appraisals will support
jobs and working lives that are more rewarding, with better career
opportunities, and greater job satisfaction for current and future nurses.
However, as a registered nurse you will still need to meet the NMC postregistration education and practice (PREP) requirements.