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18 1985

NURSES ACT, 1985

PART IV

Education and Training

Rules for courses of training and examinations for candidates for registration in the register of nurses.

31. —The Board may, in accordance with rules, provide or make provision for the courses of training and examinations to be taken by candidates for registration in the register of nurses and may prescribe the manner in which and the conditions under which training shall be provided and such rules may, in particular, provide for—

(a) the approval by the Board for the purposes of such rules of lecturers and teachers,

(b) the conditions of admission to the examinations, and

(c) the granting of certificates to persons taking the courses and passing the examinations.

Rules for courses of training and examinations for nurses.

32. —The Board may, in accordance with rules, provide or make provision for courses of training and examinations for nurses, and for the granting to nurses taking such courses and passing such examinations of certificates or diplomas, and may prescribe the manner in which and the conditions under which training shall be provided, and such rules may, in particular, provide for—

(a) the approval by the Board for the purposes of such rules of lecturers and teachers,

(b) the conditions of admission to the examinations, and

(c) the granting of certificates to persons taking the courses and passing the examinations.

Holding of examinations, etc.

33. —(1) The Board may hold the examinations provided for by rules and may, by such rules, regulate the conduct of such examinations.

(2) The examiners (none of whom shall be a member of the Board) at every examination held under this section shall be appointed by the Board, shall hold such qualifications and have such experience in relation to nursing as the Board thinks proper, and shall be remunerated in accordance with a scale fixed by the Board with the approval of the Minister.

Approval by the Board of hospitals and institutions suitable for training purposes.

34. —(1) Where the Board, on application made to it in that behalf, is satisfied that a hospital or institution is suitable for the training of nurses or of candidates for registration in the register of nurses, the Board shall approve of the hospital or institution for such training.

(2) For the purposes of giving effect to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section the Board may, by rules, specify conditions of suitability for hospitals and institutions.

(3) Every hospital or institution approved of by the former Board for the purposes of section 53 of the Nurses Act, 1950 , shall be deemed, unless the Board determines otherwise, to have been approved of by the Board.

(4) The Board may, with the consent of the Minister, withdraw an approval under this section of a hospital or an institution.

(5) A hospital or an institution of which the Board has refused to approve may apply to the Minister, to direct the Board to approve of it and if the Minister, after consideration of the facts of the case, gives the direction, the Board shall approve of the hospital or institution.

Entry into hospital etc. for training.

35. —(1) The Board may determine the minimum educational requirements necessary for entry for training as a nurse into a hospital or institution approved of by the Board pursuant to section 34 of this Act.

(2) The Board may, if it so determines, establish a central applications bureau to process applications from persons wishing to undertake training as a nurse.

(3) If the Board establishes, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, a central applications bureau, a hospital or institution approved of by the Board pursuant to section 34 of this Act shall not, without the consent of the Board, accept for training any person who is not approved of and recommended by the Board.

Miscellaneous functions of Board in relation to education and training.

36. —(1) The Board shall, from time to time as occasion may require but, in any event, not less than once in every five years, satisfy itself as to—

(a) the suitability of the education and training for nurses provided by any hospital or institution approved of by the Board pursuant to section 34 of this Act,

(b) the standards of theoretical and practical knowledge required for examinations,

(c) the clinical training and experience provided in any training programme organised by a hospital or institution approved of by the Board pursuant to section 34 of this Act, and

(d) the adequacy and suitability of post registration training courses for nurses provided by bodies recognised by the Board for that purpose.

(2) The Board may engage in research into the education and training of nurses, including the formulation of experimental curricula and the evaluation of existing programmes and examination and assessment procedures.

(3) The Board may maintain statistical records and make such records available for research and planning, including manpower planning purposes.

Duty to ensure compliance with minimum standards specified by Council of European Communities.

37. —The Board shall ensure that the requirements relating to the education and training of nurses or of candidates for registration in the register will satisfy the minimum standards specified in any Directive or Regulation adopted or made by the Council of the European Communities which relates to qualifications required by nurses to secure registration.