PURPOSE - The composition of the health care workforce is changing. Due in part to recessionary financial constraints it is likely that the number of students trained to full registration will decrease over the near future, their numbers supplemented by less expensive non registered health care workers, who will be trained to deliver many aspects of nursing care. From September 2012, in the UK, all who study to obtain a registration in nursing will undertake degree level programmes. It is therefore important for universities to be efficient and effective in training nursing students, but currently in the UK, approximately 25 percent of students do not complete their studies. Better selection procedures could realistically address this wastage and promote the quality of the nursing body. METHOD - Using a Grounded Theory methodology, semi structured interviews were conducted throughout the UK with academics who are involved in student selection and senior partners from practice (n=17). Enquiry was focussed on:
- The personal qualities required for new student nurses in the UK
- Experiences of selection, with comparison of procedures between institutions
Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a constant comparative technique. RESULTS - The findings illustrated a range of procedures regarding selection, but there were a number of common themes rated highly in candidates. These included analytic ability, commitment to compassionate care, effective communication, understanding of their field of practice and rising to the challenge of the interview. Each theme included associated evidence that could be assessed within an interview situation. CONCLUSION - Taken together, these concepts sat within a meta theme of 'Orientation for Professionalism', which describes an ability to identify with professionalism and hence develop as a professional practitioner. These findings have allowed the host university to produce a new selection process which allows sensitive and quantitatively differentiated assessment of candidates.