New research on perceptions of the postgraduate route into nursing

Research providing insights into the postgraduate pre-registration route to a nursing degree, including how to better engage with potential applicants and raise the profile of this route, has been published by Health Education England today.  

The research takes an in-depth look at a range of issues including the motivations for applying to postgraduate preregistration nursing programmes, potential barriers to applying and how these programmes can be effectively promoted at both a national and local level.   

Respondents interviewed for the research included people considering a career in nursing, those who had recently made the decision to take up a postgraduate preregistration programme and university admissions tutors.     

The research highlights the impact that the current pandemic has had for some in considering changing career, in part because of the value that health and social care have to society at this time.  Respondents outlined a number of barriers that may impact on people’s consideration of the postgraduate route into nursing, such as cost and the need for more information to be made available about the various routes into a career in nursing.

It also outlines ways in which these barriers can be overcome, particularly through marketing and communication, when people understand more about the role, the range of roles within nursing and the specific benefits available.

Liz Fenton, Deputy Chief Nurse, Health Education England said:  

“This is the first time we have taken such a close look at the awareness and understanding of the post graduate pre-registration route into nursing.   

“Whilst we continue to see record numbers apply for nursing courses the research has shown us how we raise the profile of this route into nursing and can better engage with people looking to change careers.  This gives us valuable insights that we can use nationally and regionally to attract even more people into a career in nursing.”

The postgraduate route into nursing is one of the fastest routes into the profession. Aimed at those with existing degrees, it enables registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) within two years.

The report can be viewed at the bottom of this page under Related Documents.