

Advance Nursing Practice 2018
J u n e 2 1 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 8
P a r i s , F r a n c e
Page 79
Journal of Nursing and Health Studies
ISSN 2574-2825
6
t h
I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e o n
Advance Nursing Practice
E
mployability from health professions programmes is generally considered to be high; yet, one should not forget the complex notion
of employability. In general, programmes aim to make students employable with a clearer understanding of gradate skills. Yet this
is not always visible to students and so their ability to tap into this when required is not maximised. This is further exaggerated with stu-
dents who are undertaking courses via distance learning. Although distance learning offers a chance towork and learn at the same time
that is flexible to them and suits their personal needs, there is conflict between being a student whilst also working as an employee. For
these students, employability is a conundrum which needs to be understood in a far more inclusively nuanced way. The voices of part-
time distance learners need to be heard by policy makers and should inform open universities’ continuing efforts to enable vulnerable
and marginalised learners to access Higher Education.
nerys.bolton@open.ac.ukStepping stones to employability for distance
learners
Nerys Bolton
The Open University, UK
J Nurs Health Stud 2018, Volume: 3
DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C3-009