Self-study programmes and nursing education

This article gives an account of the use of 'self-study programmes' (SSPs) in a registered mental nurse curriculum. The account spans a period of over 3 years. It describes the development and implementation of two SSPs in the author's school and the generally favourable outcomes that were found to be associated with them. The perceived virtues of the self-study approach are described and, in conclusion, it is recommended that the approach be more widely used throughout nurse education generally.