A leading nursing academic at Charles Sturt University (CSU) is concerned about allegations of poor standards at some universities aired by the ABC TV Four Corners program on Monday 20 April.

Associate Professor David Stanley, Head of the CSU School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, said, "There was no suggestion in the Four Corners report that the problems identified at some other universities also applied to Charles Sturt University, but the negative connotation is regrettable."

Professor Stanley said while the allegations are serious and disappointing, he endorses the position statement issued by Professor Wendy Cross, Chair of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, Australia and New Zealand (CDNM).

"As the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery states, the safety of individual patients and the wider public is central to the education of our nursing students," Professor Stanley said.

Professor Stanley noted that relative to other universities, CSU has fewer international students and he was unaware of any instances of English language illiteracy among CSU nursing graduates. He rejected suggestions that universities have 'dumbed down' curricula, assessment, and entry standards.

"Many of the problems touched on in the Four Corners report are due to structural changes to higher education funding," Professor Stanley said. "As the CDMN notes, the uncapping of undergraduate student places in 2012 has placed pressure on universities to increase numbers. In some instances this has led to lower ATAR scores, and these problems occur across many disciplines."

Professor Stanley said the CDNM welcomes a mandated minimum ATAR for nursing and midwifery, and he reiterated the CDNM view that Four Corners painted a very one-sided picture which did not appear to seek input from other universities, the majority of which are producing sound graduates with appropriate communication skills.

"Nursing has been taught at Charles Sturt University and its predecessor organisations for nearly 40 years and since the inception of the School its students have featured regularly as University Medallists because of their meritorious academic performance," Professor Stanley said.