Nurse Education Tomorrow Conference 1990. How nurses learn and how to improve the learning environment.

This paper considers some of the evidence that can help nurse teachers more effectively prepare nurses for practice. In particular it is concerned with how students learn and how teachers can improve the learning environment. There are four main sections to the paper. The first looks at learning styles and considers the importance of matching teaching style to the learning style of the student. The second section considers the research into the process of integrating theory and practice in nursing education and the relationship between theory, the classroom and the clinical area. The next section of the paper looks at factors influencing the process of becoming a nurse. Socialising agents such as people and techniques are reviewed in the light of research evidence from nursing and similar professions. Finally the paper represents a series of ways in which it is possible to assess and improve the learning environment for the student nurse, including human aspects, equipment and information.