My daughter, who did the old non-graduate nurse training, but gave up eleven years ago to have her triplets, is looking into "back to nursing" courses so that she can return to her former career. These courses last for twelve weeks.
This implies that in just twelve weeks, a non-graduate nurse can bring herself up to the same standard as those nurses who have degrees. Hmmmm. Makes you think, doesn't it?
The question remains, are degrees absolutely necessary across the board? There's no substitute for experience, which your daughter already has, so I'm guessing the twelve week courses are designed to bring up-to-speed, those returning to nursing. You're right, Frances, it does make you think. And while the degrees are excellent, it was a mistake to hold them up as the 'be all and end all'. Little account appears to have been taken of those long-serving nurses with a wealth of accrued knowledge under their belts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martin. Though I do question (much of) the value of degrees for a job that is essentially practical. I've always thought practical experience more important than anything else in this job. If I had to choose to be flown either by a pilot who had a PhD in flying (and a little actual experience) and one who had learnt it on the job, I know which I'd choose!
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