Third-level nurse education: learning from the Irish experience.

Nursing and nurse education is rapidly changing internationally. The profession and the different branches of practice have moved in a relatively short period of time from a 'handmaiden' status to have an evolving professional standing as equal members of interdisciplinary teams. This has coincided with the evolving trend to locate nurse training programmes within the higher education sector. Differing models of nurse preparation exist internationally, but there is an inexorable trend to higher education. Ireland has moved away from traditional 'hospital-based' schools of nursing in the past decade or so to a system of universal preparation of nurses within higher education structures. Unlike many other countries, entry to any branch of nursing in Ireland now requires honours degree level education. It seems timely, therefore, to consider the lessons that can be learned from this development and consider the key challenges that face nursing, the healthcare system and the higher education system as a result of this development.