Fit for whose purpose? The contextual forces underpinning the provision of nurse education in the UK

This paper explores the implications of the contextual forces currently underpinning nurse education. It challenges the notion of a model of education which is principally founded on the concept of 'fitness for purpose'. Open acknowledgement is made that the driving forces impacting on the purchasers and providers of nurse education are different, and may be in conflict. The central tenet of this debate is based upon a growing awareness that the notion of practitioners being fit for purpose is increasingly being dictated and articulated by local purchasers. Their views may reflect financial expedience and short-term goals, arguably to the detriment of a longer term vision. Tensions also exist between purchasers' locally driven agendas and the reality that practitioners receive a nationally and internationally recognized qualification. The importance of manpower planning is also central to the debate. Solutions are offered which consider guidelines offered by a range of recent policy documents. Their contribution to the debate is assessed. Recommendations are made which recognize the need to equip practitioners with skills that have currency at point of registration, but argue that dominance must be given to the longer term goals of the educational enterprise.