Teaching theories and models of nursing: implications for a common foundation programme for nurses.

At the present time nurse education is facing a number of upheavals which have major implications for curriculum development. No hard and fast rules governing the approach to educating learners about nursing theory and nursing models can be made. This paper has generated a number of suggestions which could be explored as new courses are designed and evaluated. It is the responsibility of teachers and practitioners to be aware of the changes ushered in by the implementation of Project 2000 and to seek to ensure that students are appropriately prepared for the professional demands of the years ahead.