This article asks what kind of educational process nurse education can follow. Educational theory offers two views; the rationalist and the humanist perspectives. Both involve problems for nurse education. Professionalisation is identified as the major force determining the educational process in nurse education. It prevents progressive humanist education and reinforces traditional rationalist education. This process continues with integration into higher education. Professionalisation must be abandoned as an occupational strategy, if an alternative educational process is to be developed in nurse education.
