The public consultation has been launched after concerns about whether current programmes prepare graduates sufficiently for practice.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to nursing and midwifery education standards.
The proposals follow extensive engagement and research carried out over recent years. This work highlighted wide variation in students’ practice learning experiences and concerns about whether current programmes consistently prepare graduates with the confidence and competence needed for practice.
Proposals include reducing the minimum length of pre-registration nursing programmes from 4,600 to 3,600, moving away from an hours-based model towards a stronger focus on the quality of practice learning experiences, and extending pre-registration midwifery programmes from three to four years, reflecting feedback about the intensity of current programmes and concerns raised through recent maternity inquiries.
The council also wants to strengthen expectations around equality, diversity and inclusion, including increased emphasis on anti racism, bias awareness, cultural curiosity and psychological safety within education and practice learning environments.
Changes to the nursing associate programme requirements, including reducing hours to a minimum of 2,300 hours, rather than linking them directly to nursing programme length. Community practice learning experiences in health and social care would also be required for all nursing students.
The consultation is open until late July.
