Unpacking the question of graduation.

摘要

Into the New Year and I find myself asking whether the problems of 2008 will be different to those of last year, the year before, or any other year in recent memory? The first month of this year will certainly be frantic for many, with nurse educators marshalling their own staff and gently encouraging others to respond to the two consultations that I mentioned repeatedly in 2007. Among other questions, the preregistrationconsultation asks the profession whether nursing should become all graduate in its preparation? This question certainly needs 'unpacking'. The decision to make midwifery a graduate profession has already beeen made, although the result will not be that all midwives complete an honours degree. Instead, my understanding is that they will all be compelled to study at least 60 credits in their final year at academic level 3 or honours degree level. Many nurses and midwives who do not consider they are graduates already do this, so maybe the step up will not be as big as is anticipated.