Altering the health orientation of nursing : Is educational reform the answer?

This study examined impact of reform to the health orientation of selected nursing curricula and ward experiences of student nurses by analysing the degree of alteration in health orientation from a disease prevention to a welfare promotion perspective. A case study design was used in the study. Curricula documents from a UK College of Nursing were collected and quota samples of student nurses completed a diary for a five day period during placement on selected care of the elderly wards. Further information on participants ward experiences was then collected using individual semi-structured interviews with all participating students. Data analysis revealed alteration in health orientation from a disease prevention to a welfare promotion perspective was partial, most evident in curricula documentation. Many post-reform students appeared to have similar clinical experiences to their pre-reform counterparts, but believed they had greater control over placement learning activities. This small scale case study suggests impact of educational reform upon the theory and practice of nursing may reflect the transitional state of change in nursing at the time of the study