How adequately are nurses being prepared for their health teaching role?

Forty-five Australian faculties and schools of nursing were surveyed by questionnaire to gain information about the health education component of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and about current research activity relating to the educational role of nurses. Response rate achieved was 69%. Almost all institutions indicated involvement in preparing nursing students for an educational role, yet only five respondents described research activity relating to this. Most preparation was provided in an integrated context rather than in separate course units and the length of time allocated varied substantially. Responses to questions about content and clinical experiences were often omitted or were very general, with those involved in providing separate courses being much more likely to supply detailed or specific information. It is hypothesised that in general nurses are graduating from Australian colleges and universities inadequately prepared for the health educator role.