The role of the nurse teacher

This paper reports on selected findings of a small exploratory study of the role of the nurse teacher. A questionnaire was circulated to teaching staff in one college of nursing. Quantitative data collected included a range of biographical detail, an outline of career patterns, professional qualifications and specific preparation undertaken for the teaching role. Qualitative data gathered in the study was transcribed and categorised into themes. The areas that are reported here include the identification of the factors that influenced decisions to work in nurse education, educator's views on preparation for the teaching role and areas of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in their work. Issues related to classroom teaching role, clinical teaching role, management and research are discussed.