Models of professional preparation: Pharmacy, nursing and teacher education

ABSTRACT

The study focuses on three areas of initial professional education at degree level—pharmacy, nursing and teacher education. All three are associated with professions where individual clients' needs are significant—the so-called caring professions. The project was conducted largely through interviews with teaching staff in both university and public sector institutions. The interviews focused on the interests, activities and values of the academics in relation to the education and training of their students and towards the students' intending profession. Information was also gathered on the overall shape of the students' learning experiences, both within higher education and in the professional training situation. The paper shows that there are different sets of relationships between academics and the corresponding professionals, and that there are contrasting patterns of student development in each of the three areas. The paper concludes by outlining a general model for effective professional preparation.