THE DESCRIPTION OF LEVELS IN NURSING DEGREES - AN ILLUSTRATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE VARIATIONS

This study has analysed the level descriptors of Higher Award degree p rogrammes offered by a random sample of 15 colleges of nursing and mid wifery in England. The analysis revealed a wide variation in the way e ach level (1, 2, 3 and M) had been defined. The variation occurred in a range of different ways. The main categories of variation were: the style of the descriptor; the features defined by the descriptor; the u se of descriptors in the cognitive domain; the use of dimensions of pr ofessional knowledge and practice such as autonomy and reflective prac tice; and progression between the levels. The context of the study is described and the implications of the study and possible ways forward are discussed.