Comprehensive critical care education is critical to success.

Intensive and high-dependency care is currently receiving considerable attention, not least since the Department of Health review of adult critical care nursing and subsequent proposals for the development of a consistent and comprehensive critical care service (DoH 2000). The report highlights the need for policy changes at all levels and across all disciplines and makes several recommendations that are deemed essential for the future organization and delivery of critical care. Central to the proposed reforms is the availability of a skilled workforce, adequately prepared and appropriately trained to provide specialist care in a variety of settings where acutely ill patients are found. This paper considers the implications of 'comprehensive critical care' for pre- and post-registration nurse education and offers insight into programmes of learning that are tailored to meet the needs of the service and individuals. The paper draws upon three influential and timely publications, namely the Audit Commission report into critical care services, the English National Board (ENB) review of adult intensive/critical and high-dependency care programmes and the United Kingdom Central Council (UKCC) Commission for Education recommendations regarding 'fitness for practice'.