Working for patients: further implications for nurse education

The National Health Service and Community Care Act (1990) has focused attention on all aspects of health care. This paper explores the wider implications of the White Paper on nurse education. It examines the issues of student numbers; rationalisation of courses; the impact of contracts; quality control and clinical placements. It further considers the issues of capital assets; educational premises; funding and income generation. The response of schools and colleges of nursing to these challenges has yet to be evaluated. Nurse education is steering an uncertain course in turbulent and uncharted waters. If colleges of nursing are to capitalise on the changes demanded by the White Paper, the prime concern must be the establishment of an advantageous position from which to market viable courses. To this end there must be adequate resources, and control over high quality learning environments. The courses must be educationally led and respond to the learning needs of all students.