The commission on nursing has recommended that the future framework for the preregistration education of nurses should be based on a four year degree programme which will encompass clinical placements, including 12 months continuous clinical placement as a paid employee of the health service. The commission envisaged that the start of the 2202-03 academic year would be specified as the commencement date of the proposed new degree programme.
A forum, involving the third level institutions, the schools of nursing, health services providers and An Bord Altranais, is being established by the Minister for Health and Children to agree a strategy for the implementation of degree level pre-registration nursing education and training. My Department and the Higher Education Authority will be represented on this forum and it is envisaged that the forum will report within two years of its establishment.