Clinical nursing.

Abstract

Today clinical nursing in South Africa is at the crossroads. Many of its best practitioners are lured into management and education, where direct patient contact may be minimal or non-existent. Two reasons for this brain-drain are expounded. Furthermore, a more satisfactory and challenging career structure in clinical nursing is suggested as one possible solution. The educational preparation of nurse clinicians in essential life-skills also needs further attention. The Biomatrix approach is modified and applied to nursing education in an attempt to explain the need for nursing students to learn within a framework that generates self-actualisation, competence and adequate feedback.