Whither nursing education? Possibilities, panaceas, and problems.

SUMMARY: The paper examines some potential problems, possibilities, and panaceas in a period where education is undergoing significant change. There are increasing class sizes and demands on clinical placements by educational institutions, and academic institutions are embracing information technology (IT) as a solution for multiple educational challenges. The paper presents possibilities and problems associated with new cohorts of nursing students entering nursing education. It also explores possibilities and problems associated with IT. Difficulties with regarding IT as a panacea for problems are considered. IT contributions to learning outcomes and reducing other systemic problems, as well as costs incurred with emphasizing IT as a teaching approach, are critically examined. The paper suggests traditional approaches to teaching (lecturing and small seminar discussions) do not preclude engagement, innovation, openness and creativity and new cohorts of students value traditional approaches. Finally, the implications for retention and recruitment of nursing educators associated with student cohort-based problems and possibilities, and costs associated with IT are considered.