A question of quality and quantity

摘要

Should nursing students to be allowed to qualify based on competence regardless of the clinical placement hours they have completed? A report by University Alliance (UA), an association of universities that educate 30% of England's nurses, has reignited debate about the placement hours required for Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration. The authors recommend students be assessed on competence, not 'time served' - the current NMC threshold is 2,300 placement hours. The report has sparked discussion about education versus training, the quality of clinical placements and supernumerary status of nursing students, where they should not be counted - or counted on - as part of workforce numbers while on placement. This isn't a new debate, but the report has prompted timely discussion as NHS nurses take strike action over short-staffing and pay.