Please note: In order to post a response you need to be registered on the site. You can register here.
Reader Response
Added: Wednesday, 15 October 2008 12:33 BST
Tricia Freake, East Harling, United Kingdom
I have always believed that a degree does not make you a better nurse. The academic work is a barrier to some that would make excellent nurses. I will be the first to say that I am not an academic, but I'm an extremely competent nurse which comes down to years of experience. I did the old style training, qualifying in 1991 and probably would not have entered the profession had it been a degree course then. A degree cannot make up for experience.
We should be careful what we wish for!
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Tuesday, 23 September 2008 13:21 BST
paul henry, chorley, United Kingdom
T tell you the truth, I qualifed in 2000. I am the main wage earnr in my family and I have 2 kids to support. I CANNOT afford to do a degree. Its hard enough to survive the ost of living. think it is so unfair that the only people that seem to get on in nursing, ie any kind of promotion or specilaisation are the ones that have got the money to do a degree.
Poorer, hard working and experenced nursing are being turned down for promotion in faour of better of people who have the wealt to do a degree.
Bring back the days when you could work your way up in nursing with experience, not your bank balance.
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Friday, 12 September 2008 20:43 BST
Anonymous, Luton, United Kingdom
I really don't see the point of this move by the NMC, unless the government agree to radically improve nursing salaries to match other degree orientated professions. And I just can't see that happening! All this change will do is put off a lot of people who might otherwise enter nursing. In order to make nursing a real profession comparable equal to other professionsall the government, NHS and nurses ourselves need to make radical changes to the system in which we work.
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Thursday, 11 September 2008 12:57 BST
Anonymous, Bristol, United Kingdom
I qualified back in 1993 so am an ' old RGN ' ( so what is going to come of us??). I have often thought about obtaining my degree but being part time with children I have put it off. Now it looks as though will have to complete one. But like already said we are not exactly paid well. Morale is very low and I know lots of young nurses with diplomas and degrees who want to leave nursing and / or the country! I don't blame them!
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 21:58 BST
David Genese, London, United Kingdom
I realise that passing at degree level is a goal that all those with academic ability should aim for. However I estimate that up to 50% of excellent nurses currently practicing may have been deterred from entering the profession if the degree pathway was the only option. Furthermore I would not like to see the degree pathway watered down to accomodate people who have limited academic ability.
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 20:46 BST
Anonymous, Ashford, United Kingdom
I do partly agree with the comments that you do not necessarily need a degree to be a good nurse, however I think the acquisition of knowledge makes you an even better nurse and surely we must all strive to improve our profession year on year. The only way to move our profession forward is to learn and progress, and I think it is vital that nurse education moves forward too. I am all for nurses gaining degrees, at least it will prevent some of the highly unsuitable candidates who pass the current selection process and then prove so difficult to fail when they are on the wards. Prospective nurses will need to be dedicated to the profession and we may see a greater degree of professionalism and self discipline among nursing students, which I feel is sadly lacking in many of todays students.
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 18:06 BST
Paul Gray, Wantage, United Kingdom
None of the comments in favour of the profession becoming an (even more) elitist quasi academic outpost of sociological (going by the Jarvis quote) thought has convinced me in any way that patient care will improve by forcing everyone into having a degree.
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 17:10 BST
Anonymous, Bromyard, United Kingdom
Yes I agree, the level we know work at warrents the proffesion becoming a degree only program, but how about paying us as a degree level profession!
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 16:29 BST
Mario Tabone, cospicua, Malta
Jarvis states that individuals need to learn new knowledge to prevent the onset of alienation, or anomie, and lifelong learning – even lifelong education – may help them to adjust to cultural changes prelevant in their society.
Nurses, practice in an environment, which is constantly changing. It has become vital that one develops own professional knowledge and competence to cope with these demands and the complexities of modern professional practice.
The decision to make nursing in the UK a complete graduate profession is something which I would like to see happening world wide. I finished the SEN course back in 1989. I am now in my last year degree in nursing and must say that YES knowledge does make a nurse better in running a ward, to the contrary of what one correspondent has stated. We must continue to build on our previous knowledge.I cannot see why the nurse has to be the 'servant' of other health care professions. We are there to work in collaboration with other professionals. This is the way forward and we must be unite and make our profession as strong as ever.
I have years of experience, however to be able to boost my experience I felt the need to upgrade my academic background. To be frank, I cannot see myself at a halt. Nursing is a most beautiful career. Should I be born again......I would repeat to my parents that , "I want to be a nurse!".
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
Added: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 09:53 BST
Paul Gray, Wantage, United Kingdom
I started my nursing career as an enrolled nurse in the 80's, did a conversion course in the early 90's and now work as an OH nurse in industry. If this route wasn't available I wouldn't be where I am today.
I meet lots of young people who would love to follow a career in nursing but are essentially barred because of the culture of 'academia' we are all exposed to. How / why does making everyone have degrees make us better nurses?
Alert if offensive or unsuitable
