Accreditation of prior learning in pre-registration nursing programmes: throwing the baby out with the bath water?

The perceived learning of pre-registration students nurses during the foundation programme with and without prior clinical experience was investigated at two universities using a quantitative questionnaire. No difference was found between the perceived learning of individuals with (> or = 1 year) and without prior clinical experience. Students at one of the universities consistently perceived that they learnt more than students at the other institute. Despite this, the pattern in the responses between the universities is consistent. The implications of the lack of effect of prior clinical experience on level of perceived learning for the process of accreditation of prior experiential learning is discussed.