[An alternative to discussion of the graduation dissertation in the Nursing Degree Course]

The need to modify the nursing curriculum as decreed in April 2001 beginning from the academic year 2003/2004 together with the belief that the dissertation is not the best way for nurses to demonstrate what they have learnt at the end of the bachelor degree course, lead the three section Coordinators in the Nursing Degree course at the Insubria University of Varese to formulate a new method of presentation of the final dissertation. The updated legislation and its effects on nursing training at the Varese University are described together with a review of the relevant literature, with particular emphasis on the minimum standards requested, the modalities for preparation of the written dissertation, the types of tutoring and evaluation systems. Besides an initial evaluation of the first 3 years experience, some useful indications for students regarding nursing research are provided.