Modular Systems of Nursing Education, Adapting to Limitations Available to Purchase

Over the years the education of nurses has moved from the position where student nurses could attend lectures in their own time, to a study day system and more recently a block system. Training in England and Wales is controlled by the General Nursing Council for England and Wales (GNC) through delegated authority from the Department of Health and Social Security. The Council shares a number of functions in common with Industrial Training Boards (ITBs). It finances basic nursing through allocation of funds provided by central government. It has an inspectorate role through which schools of nursing are approved, provides a syllabus and a recommended structure for training programme, and controls the setting and marking of the final written examination (State Finals). It also exercises a less rigorous control of practical examinations. Additionally it has a statutory responsibility for maintaining a register and a roll of trained nurses. Registered nurses have undertaken a three‐year training leading to qualification in general, mental, mental subnormal or sick children's nursing. The enrolled nurse has undertaken a two year course. Those in training for registration are referred to as “students”, those for the roll are “pupils” and collectively the term “learners” is used.