Learning to learn in practice: An evaluation of a 35-day practice orientation programme.

The Practice Education Support Unit at Thames Valley University is committed to improving the quality of students' practice experience. Recent changes to the delivery of the Pre-Registration nursing curriculum have included the instigation of a 35-day practice orientation programme for students on the common foundation programme. The Brent and Harrow 'Student Experiences Group' developed and facilitated a 35-day programme for the March 2007 cohort within their learning community. Subsequent evaluation of the programme revealed that students were more positive in relation to taught elements of the programme, as opposed to self-directed elements. These results are significant due to the requirement for students to develop self-direction skills in order to become competent registered nurses. The evaluation results did indicate the need for changes to be made to the subsequent development of the 35-day programme for the September 2007 cohort. In particular, the programme was redesigned to create a better balance between taught and self directed elements. A staged introduction to self-directed learning may promote student acceptance and confidence in this vital skill.