[National survey on the application of the reform of the state-registered nurse diploma]. / Enquête nationale sur l'application de la réforme du diplôme d'Etat d'infirmier.

Following its first national enquiry, the French Directorate General for Health (DGOS) presents here its findings on the reform of the nurse training which focuses on four main areas: partnership with universities, pedagogical content and methods, work placement resources, attribution of European credits.

[Reform of nursing studies, impact on the nurse training institutes]. / Réforme des etudes infirmières, impact dans les Ifsi.

The reengineering of nursing training led to the creation of a training reference framework in September 2009, which has considerably modified the reference pedagogical model, pedagogical practices and the monitoring of students. The notion of a partnership with the university has been created; pedagogical and technological innovations have been encouraged.

[Different perspectives on the reform of nursing studies]. / Regards croisés sur la réforme des etudes en soins infirmiers.

Two students and two recently qualified nurses describe their training within the new reference framework, and their reception by their course tutors and by their colleagues in their first jobs.

O perfil do estudante ingressante no curso de graduação em enfermagem de uma faculdade privada / Profiling student intake to a private college's undergraduate nursing course / El perfil del estudiante ingresante en el curso de pregrado en enfermería de una facultad privada

O estudo teve como objetivo identificar o perfil dos estudantes ingressantes no curso de enfermagem de uma faculdade privada do interior paulista, no ano de 2009. Foram analisadas as variáveis: sexo, idade, estado civil, procedência, formação, atividade funcional e opção pelo curso. Trata-se de pesquisa descritiva e exploratória com uma amostra de 82 estudantes, utilizando-se um questionário com questões fechadas. Os resultados mostraram 90,2% de estudantes do sexo feminino, 89,3% solteiros, 53,6% na faixa etária entre 17 a 20 anos, 93% procedentes do Estado de São Paulo, 70,8% de escolas públicas e 59,7% economicamente ativos. A enfermagem foi a primeira opção no vestibular. O conhecimento do perfil do ingressante possibilitará aos centros formadores qualificar profissionais para atender às novas exigências do mercado de trabalho.

The aim of this study was to profile the students entering the nursing course at a private college in the interior of São Paulo State in 2009. The variables examined were: sex, age, civil status, origin, academic background, functional activity and choice of course. The exploratory, descriptive study applied a questionnaire of closed questions to a sample of 82 nursing students. The results showed 90.2% of students were female, 89.3% single, 53.6% from 17 to 20 years old, 93% from São Paulo State, 70.8% from public schools and 59.7% economically active. Nursing was their first choice in the university admissions process. Knowing the profile of entrants will enable universities to prepare professionals to meet the new requirements of the labor market.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar el perfil de los estudiantes ingresantes en el curso de pregrado, de una facultad privada del interior de São Paulo-Brasil, en el año de 2009. Se analizó las variables: sexo, edad, estado civil, origen, formación, actividad funcional y opción por el curso. Se trata de una pesquisa descriptiva y exploratoria con una muestra de 82 estudiantes, usándose un cuestionario con preguntas cerradas. Los resultados revelaron 90,2% de estudiantes del sexo femenino, 89,3% de solteros, 53,6% en la franja etaria de 17 a 20 años, 93% oriundos del Estado de São Paulo, 70,8% advenidos de escuelas públicas y 59,7% económicamente activos. La enfermería fue la primera opción en el vestibular. El conocimiento del perfil del ingressante hará posible a las universidades preparar profesionales para atender a los nuevos requisitos del mercado de trabajo.

The student perspective on RN-Plus-10 legislation: a survey of associate degree and diploma nursing program students.

This article reports on a survey of associate degree and diploma nursing students in Pennsylvania designed to elicit their future educational goals and opinions regarding proposed educational advancement legislation. Results indicated the majority of respondents (86.3 percent) planned to pursue the bachelor's degree in nursing; most (94.8 percent) hoped to be enrolled in a BSN program within four years of graduation. The majority (78.9 percent) indicated that even if they were mandated to complete the bachelor's degree in nursing within 10 years, they would still enroll in their current associate degree or diploma program. Asked if 10 years is a reasonable amount of time to complete the BSN, 79.4 percent agreed it is. If money were not an obstacle, 95.8 percent of participants indicated they would pursue a BSN or higher. The results of this survey suggest that the vast majority of associate degree and diploma nursing students value and hope to pursue higher education in nursing.

Expanding nurses' scope of practice.

On April 9, 2009, the government of British Columbia announced that it was expanding the scope of practice of registered nurses, midwives and naturopathic physicians in the province. From now on, RNs will be able to independently provide a broader range of health services including suturing, tuberculosis screening and managing labour in hospital when the primary care provider is absent. Registered nurses working triage will now be able to immediately order diagnostic ultrasounds and X-rays. Additionally, registered nurses will be able to dispense or administer prescription medications in urgent situations including severe allergic reaction, drug overdose, post-partum bleeding and for communicable disease prevention and management. (British Columbia 2009) It is important to point out that it is RNs, not nurse practitioners, who will have these additional capacities.

Advancing the profession of nursing: a new approach.

The article traces the historical development of regulatory standards for the practice of nursing in New York State. It gives an overview of the 2003 New York State Board for Nursing's proposal to amend the requirements and require a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) within 10 years of initial licensure. Current legislative initiatives are reviewed and the author cites numerous research reports that provide rationale for the bill's passage. Concerns are addressed and nurses are called to debate the issues in order to reach consensus on this important issue.