Competency versus hours: An examination of a current dilemma in nurse education

SummaryIn Europe student nurses have to work within a framework of curriculum hours, the regulations governing which were determined almost three decades ago. European Higher Education institutions involved in the delivery of nurse education are constrained by this European Union legislation that harks back to an era of apprenticeship rather than modern day educational approaches. This article describes the background to current educational practices and discusses the conflict between legal requirements, enshrined in professional regulations and the realities of competency driven educational philosophy.