Trainee nurses will be formally taught first aid and how to manage serious incidents such as road accidents.

Those in nurse manager jobs and other nursing roles are already expected to know the principles of first-aid. However, new pre-registration standards means trainee nurses will now be given additional training to what was previously required.

A consultation with the British Red Cross and St John Ambulance charities has seen the new standards being introduced for student nurses. Falling skill levels has mean the need for first aid has been given more prominence and nurses will also be taught about "incident management" for the first time.

Garth Long led the review of pre-registration standards at the Nursing and Midwifery Council. He said the public expects nurses to be able to cope in a crisis and that university's would still play a crucial role in deciding exactly how first aid is taught.

"Incident management is also now included, which is how you would organise yourself if there was an incident like a car accident. This includes questions like: Who is injured? Who is the priority? Who needs my care first? What do I need to do? and Who do I need to call?" he told Nursing Times.

With nurses confident working in a properly equipped hospital it is hoped the new standards will mean they are fully equipped to cope in other situations. Mr Long said the nursing council was not saying nurses would be sent out to attend incidents, but rather they can be better prepared to deal with emergencies.

"This is more about public expectation," added Mr Long.