Discussions to make nursing a graduate profession

Becoming a nurse could require the study of a degree course in the future as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) plans to discuss the changes in coming weeks.

However, whether or not this move would be beneficial to the medical industry has divided officials and nurses, according to The Nursing Times.

After a recent consultation among the NMC, 70% of nurses asked by the council agreed with the abolishing of the current diploma.

Jane Naish, Policy Adviser for the Royal College of Nursing, said the move may be a 'big issue' to those studying diplomas when the changes are instigated.

'It is really not fair for people to finish with a diploma then the next year it goes to degree. We need to keep the background for recruitment wide,' she added.

Recent figures from the NHS Information Centre show that the amount of long-term job vacancies within the NHS fell during the first quarter of the year.