Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning: making the difference

This paper considers the use of Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP[E]L) in pre registration nurse education. AP(E)L has opened up many new prospects in post registration nurse education but opportunities for pre registration have, to date, been few. The time for change, however, is upon us all, most particularly for those institutions which have been selected to develop a new approach to nurse education referred to in Making a Difference, published by the Department of Health in 1999 and Fitness for Practice, published by the UKCC in 1999. As one of the selected sites the Institute of Health Studies at the University of Plymouth, in conjunction with the Cornwall and South Devon and Somerset and North Devon Education Purchasing Consortia, is in the process of implementing those required changes. One of the changes integral to the new curriculum is that of AP(E)L for entry to, and exit from, pre registration nurse education.