New structures for nurse education

There are major changes taking place in the structure and organisation of nurse education. These include the amalgamation of schools and colleges of nursing, the development and formalisation of links with higher education, changes in funding arrangements introduced in April 1991, and the effects of Working Paper 10 (1), which requires schools and colleges of nursing to function in the purchaser/provider environment. As a result of these factors, particular attention is being focused on the organisational structures which are emerging in nurse education institutions. The author considers briefly the concept of organisational structure, including factors to be addressed in choosing and developing appropriate structures for specific organisations. The traditional bureaucratic structure common in nurse education establishments is discussed and evaluated and consideration is given to the development of more appropriate structures for these newly emerging nurse education institutions.