Discussing Politics with Students – Dilemmas for Educators

The Future Nurse Standards And Education Framework consultation document published by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council in May 2017 sets out new Standards of proficiency for registered nurses. These standards, once finalised, will inform nurse education for many years to come and this is therefore a particularly important document within the UK context. More generally, however, outcomes specified within this document raise questions that require educator attention whenever politically sensitive topics (broadly conceived) are discussed with students. Consideration of these standards thus has significance beyond the UK. This paper explores some of the questions and dilemmas that must be confronted by educators when politics are discussed with and by students.