How do students learn to become nurses? What knowledge and understanding do they need to acquire? How do their preconceptions, beliefs about the learning process, and social needs affect their development? What do they find helpful for students to document their learning? What other Factors influence their progress? What are the best ways for lecturers and practitioners to facilitate student learning?

The book explores how professional development can be better understood, following the progress of six nurse learners drawn from different parts of nursing and investigating both those difficulties faced by all students and those issues unique to particular students. It places these narratives in the context of nurse education today, exploring the implications of 'Fitness for Practice & Purpose' and 'Making a Difference', and looking at the implications for the future development, organisation and funding of nurse education.

Key features

• looks at nurse education in the context of recent changes in the way nurses are prepared for registration


• explores learning and professional development in Work-Settings


• examines student learning and personal development based on case studies.


• explores best practice in teaching, mentoring and assessing and implications for nursing education


• includes critical and reflective analysis and key references to the primary literature.