In the first of two papers, RACHAEL ROWE and ROBERT CROUCH describe the background, aims, processes and findings of the RCN faculty of emergency nursing (FEN) pilot. The second paper will focus on key successes, blocking factors and lessons learned from this pilot study

The RCN A&E Nursing Association initiated and developed the concept of a faculty in response to a lack of a clearly defined career framework in emergency nursing, inconsistency in care standards and a proliferation of courses with no national academic standard in level or outcome (Crouch and Jones 1997).