ABSTRACT
This chapter reaches the end point for the apprentice nurse system. It appears to have been this report which led to the change in practical assessment in the revised syllabus of the GNC the following year. An Act of Parliament put in place a formal mechanism for restructuring nursing as a self-regulating profession. This initiated a new educational approach and new values to replace the apprenticeship training and the ethic of vocational service. The significance of this radical redirection of nursing and nurse preparation has important implications for the role and purpose of the nurse and so for the care of patients. In 1979 the nursing profession became self-regulating. The Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979 replaced the General Nursing Council with a new council and boards. The radicalisation occurred even though many doubts were expressed about whether these changes were in the best interests of the patient.
