Aspects of curriculum policy in preregistration nursing education in the Republic of Ireland: issues and reflections

Aims. This paper sets out to examine critically aspects of curriculum policy related to preregistration nursing education in the Republic of Ireland. Background. Following a period of industrial unrest concerned with pay, promotional opportunities and conditions of employment amongst nurses and midwives in the Republic of Ireland, a Commission on Nursing was established in March 1997. Along with a series on recommendations pertaining to the role and the professional development of nurses and midwives, the final report of the Commission on Nursing contained recommendations on the educational preparation of nurses. Specifically, the Commission recommended that the future framework for preregistration nursing education in the Republic of Ireland be based on a 4-year degree programme, fully integrated into higher education. As a means of giving effect to this recommendation, the Commission also recommended the establishment of a Nursing Education Forum, whose task it was to develop a strategic framework for the introduction of the proposed preregistration nursing degree programme. The Forum published its final report in October 2000 and this report constituted the most explicit statement of official policy on the nursing curriculum in the Republic of Ireland. Design. The paper constitutes a critical analysis of selected aspects of the report of the Nursing Education Forum, in the light of scholarly literature on curriculum philosophy and curriculum policy. Summary of content. The paper considers some of the implications for curriculum development and design arising out of the recommendations of the Nursing Education Forum. Among a list of core principles underpinning curriculum regulation and design, the report included the principle of 'eclecticism'. The paper considers this principle with reference to nursing epistemology, pedagogical practice and Curriculum policy, and seeks to challenge some of the assumptions underlying this principle. Conclusions. The epistemological identity and the Structural integrity of primary forms of knowledge in the preregistration curriculum need to be maintained if students are to develop their knowledge and understanding of nursing science.