The National Health Services (NHS) is undergoing some massive revamp in its effort to improve its services. In the latest shake-up, anyone in the UK wishing to become a nurse will need to have a degree in four years time.

The UK government, through the Health Ministry, decided that in order to for the level of health services to reach a new level, new nurses need to get higher education and set 2013 as the year where they all get a relevant degree. Under the new ruling, candidates will be required to get a degree in nursing or a qualification equivalent to the said degree. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is appointed as the professional regulator for the program.

The news didn’t come with criticism with some believing the effort would ‘create an elitist profession’ and may scare off potential recruits due to the lengthy years of study required. Some also raised concern that with a degree, a nurse can be ‘too clever’ and may be reluctant to carry out duties such as cleaning the patients and other jobs deemed lame to them.

There are more than 40,000 nurses in the NHS presently, making the profession as the largest in the health services in the UK.