NMC guidance about second level nurses

[Guest guest]

Dear allI had not realised until recently that some second level nurses (formerly 'enrolled nurses') had been allowed to enter SCPHN programmes to train as health visitors - they are now apparently being told they cannot register as SCPHNs: see attached. . The NMC do take the biscuit for creating distress. It must be so upsetting for someone to get half way - or completely - through the training, before being told their qualification cannot be recognised. The old SPQ programmes did permit second level nurses entry to programmes, but only on condition that students upgraded to first level registration at the same time, which is apparently being ruled out for the current programmes. That condition was primarily intended as a route-through for district enrolled nurses, of whom there were many in the early 1990s, and I am not aware of any SENs who attempted to become health visitors or programmes that catered for them. Since so little of the RN programme is directly relevant to health visiting, I can well understand that some former ENs might have developed in other, more suitable fields and be appropriate candidates - as might all sorts of other people. If only we could design programmes to prepare people for the job, instead of concentrating on guarding the entry gates! The nursing profession has such a damaging stranglehold on health visiting - it does no good for standards, for children and families or the profession - it just serves to perpetuate the status quo, protectionism personified - and no good for anyone. Sorry - rant for today over!best wishes Cowleysarahcowley183@...http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn

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2nd level SCHPN circular July 2012.pdf