Current educational reforms in nursing in the United Kingdom and their impact on the role of nursing lecturers in practice: a case study approach

Abstract

This paper explores major developments in nurse education in the UK in the last 5 years and examinestheir impact on the role of nursing lecturers in practice. It builds upon the findings of an earlier study that described significant changes in the UK in the role and work of nurse teachers resulting from Project 2000 initiatives. Empirical data were collected over a 2-5-year period, through observations of student-teacher interaction and in-depth interviews with experienced nurse teachers and senior health professionals ( n = 41). A case study approach using qualitative techniques was adapted for the study. The results of the study showed that, in the light of current educational reforms, nursing lecturers were expected to maintain closer links with the service sector and spend more time on clinical teaching and learner contact. Also considered important was the need for nursing lecturers to support clinical staff in creating an effective learning environment. Using the findings of the study, the author has mapped what was perceived to be the development of an effective model for the role of nursing lecturers in practice: a model that reflects the expected changes to a higher educational environment.