Education and training for sisters

Abstract

There is increasing recognition that preparation and training for the role of ward sister is vital in a health service where there is emphasis on effective clinical management, the maintenance of good standards of patient care and economy in use of resources. One such scheme for the preparation of sisters was organised by the King Edward's Hospital Fund for London. It was evaluated independently throughout the four-and-a-half year experimental period. The outcomes of the evaluation were not only related to the effects of the scheme on the participants and the two hospital districts involved. The research succeeded in identifying a number of elements apparently fundamental to the preparation and development needed for the job of sister. In addition, various options were considered which could influence the nature and orientation of any programme. The article discusses these key elements and options with a view to informing professional and statutory organisations and other health districts who are concerned about the training needs of their sisters. It also refers to the whole issue of the complexity of the role, and the difficulty of individuals achieving all that is expected, particularly in a time of maximum change and disruption in the organisation of nursing.