Making a difference to nurse education: the impact on HE libraries

This paper reports on a study commissioned by the University Health Sciences Librarians group seeking to investigate the impact on HE libraries serving nurses of the new curriculum based upon the government's 'Making a Difference' strategy for nurse education and the responses that libraries are making to it. The main areas of 'Making a Difference' likely to be relevant to libraries and information services were identified as increasing access to information and communication technologies (ICT); increasing workforce; more flexibility in approach with part-time study and step-on, step-off study modes; longer placements; lifelong learning; continuing professional development; and evidence-based practice. Questionnaires were e-mailed to library and information service personnel at higher education (HE) institutions offering pre-registration nursing courses. Survey respondents describe how 'Making a Difference' has affected their services in relation to curriculum planning; increased student numbers; academic staff and student attitudes; user education; and increased student time on placement. As a result of their responses, recommendations are made including increasing involvement of LIS staff in curriculum development; emphasis on IT skills of student nurses; integration of library user education into nurse education programmes; and liaison between HE and National Health Service (NHS) library staff.