Nurses lose ideals

Student nurses become "less idealistic and more realistic" as they progress through their training, but they still perceive listening to patients as the most important part of their caring function, an Edinburgh University study has concluded.

The study, backed by the Nuffield Foundation, was conducted by Roger Watson of the university's department of nursing studies. It included a survey of 1 student nurses. Further analysis of the results will enable Dr Watson to examine how aspects of student personality and perceptions of caring interact and how these are related to coping with the demands of nursing or quitting the training courses.