A review of practice learning requirements for nursing and midwifery students has revealed highly varied learning experiences and supervision, and calls for action to ensure high quality education.
This new independent report we produced with health think tank the Nuffield Trust, was commissioned by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The NMC wanted to better understand what contributes to effective practice learning across the UK and in other countries. This research signals a key juncture within the regulator’s review into nursing and midwifery students’ practice learning.
The report examined the evidence relating to regulations and standards around students’ practice learning. It investigated how well NMC requirements are being implemented, and the challenges in providing optimal practice learning placements for the next generation of nurses, midwives and nursing associates.
The authors analysed existing UK and international research; held workshops with policy leaders from across the UK nations; conducted focus groups with registered nurses and midwives, students, higher education staff and members of the public; and carried out interviews with strategic leaders in health and social care both within UK and internationally.
They found that the pressured environment of many practice learning placements – and varied interpretation and implementation of the standards for practice learning, which includes the number of learning hours and births – can jeopardise the effectiveness and consistency in students’ learning experience.
A lack of clear evidence, variation between countries and professions, and differing expert opinions also means it’s difficult to reach a clear agreement about what the revised level of assessments and practice hours should be. However, the report highlights a consensus that quality should outweigh the quantity of practice learning.
The report further identifies areas where the NMC, along with approved education institutions and their practice learning partners, can strengthen learning experiences for students across a range of practice settings. This includes greater communication around practice learning requirements, further research about the impact of simulated practice learning on student learning, greater support for educators, and an expansion of community-based placements.
The NMC will consider these findings alongside two other key areas of work. One is its evaluation of simulated practice learning for pre-registration nursing programmes. The other is evidence from its recent work to quality assure nursing and midwifery education programmes which includes insights and themes around practice learning. The collective findings will inform recommendations and next steps which the NMC will bring to its Council meeting in January 2025.