[The contribution of unit managers in the education of student nurses]

The contribution of a group of unit managers towards student education, as well as the problems related thereto, has been investigated contextually by means of an explorative descriptive study, utilising structured interviews. The results indicate that, although unit managers have a positive attitude towards student education, they lack insight regarding the programme content, as well as their own informal educational function in the clinical situation. Lack of time and inadequate liaison between the college and unit managers seem to aggravate this problem. The recommendations include the design and implementation of inservice programmes for unit managers, improved liaison between educational and unit staff, as well as role clarification concerning their informal education responsibilities.