Abstract: Explores the rationale underpinning the development of education programmes within urban district hospitals throughout the country, and ascertains how these workplaces develop education programmes, given that the majority of nurses in New Zealand have identified that they prefer to participate in workplace-based professional development. Cites a clear requirement to foster learning during a nurse's development post-registration, while considering how prepared nurse educators were to fulfil their roles as lifelong learning facilitators and mentors. Utilises the perspective of nurse educators employed in District Health Boards (DHBs) geographically isolated from universities providing post-registration learning.