NVQs as part of the pre-registration diploma

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) seem to have taken hold of the popular imagination as somehow being more relevant to practical work than many other forms of nurse education. At one time NVQs were seen as having very low status, however, with the opening up of levels 3 and above, the practical benefits of professionals being able to demonstrate competence have started to gain not only popular, but also academic recognition. This paper demonstrates how one college of nursing has made a formal link between the NVQ scheme and higher education by preparing its Project 2000 students to be able to achieve a diploma of higher education and a respected National Vocational Qualification.