Overview

Sue Fergy is a principal lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences at Kingston University and St George's, University of London. An experienced lecturer with a background in nursing, Sue is well-placed to lead and develop the training of the next generation of nurses and midwives. By 2013 all nurse and midwifery training in England will be to degree level (BSC or BSc Hons), with successful students automatically being registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council upon graduation.

"We need to break down some of the stereotypical and negative perceptions that still exist about working in healthcare," says Sue. "Taking preregistration nurse education to degree level  (in the four areas of children, mental health, learning disabilities and adult care) will help enormously with that."

She goes on to explain that the role of nurses has changed considerably and almost beyond recognition. "Today nurses are expected to deliver a complexity of care. The degree outcomes for preregistration reflect the complexity of the role of the registered nurse. We have to remain contemporary."

However she is clear that nurse-training at degree level can still go hand-in-hand with widening participation.  She adds that good people who may perhaps feel they do not want to or cannot pursue a degree course could still have a place in the changing world of nursing. "Improved training for prospective support workers and assistant practioners, as well as for those already in post is an important area of expertise and continuous development here."

Sue has recently finished a secondment to NHS London - the Strategic Health Authority for London - as a project manager working on the working on the "Moderning Nursing Careers" initiative.   As a result of this work a report was published in March 2011 identifying challenges and good practice in workplace preparation for students on the new BSC (Hons) nursing/registered nurse programme. For further infomation go to http://www.london.nhs.uk/londons-workforce/modernising-careers/modersnising-nursing-careers