Technological change in nurse education as a professionalisation strategy

The transfer of basic nurse education to the tertiary sector in New South Wales brought about major changes to the philosophy, content and presentation of the educational preparation of registered nurses. From a simplified biomedical model of illness which promoted the nurse's role as doctor's assistant, a new nursing educational technology has emerged which emphasises a holistic model of wellness, nursing independence and professionalism. While there are valid educational reasons for this transfer of nurse education, a far more important rationale of the nursing leadership of this country for their continued support of this move their desire to professionalise nursing. This professionalisation of nursing cannot succeed because it is based upon the false premises of a modified trait approach to professions and technological determinism as a mechanism of professionalisation.