Patient allocation and the unqualified learner nurse

This paper presents research findings on the allocation of nurses to patients observed in three nurse training wards, each of which was attempting to introduce a system of patient allocation. Analysis of the results suggests that in each ward the sister was faced with a choice between promoting continuity in the allocation of nurses to patients and ensuring adequate supervision of unqualified staff. A review of the literature on systems of patient allocation indicates that this problem does not appear to have been addressed. It is suggested that it will not be resolved by the introduction of primary nursing in wards which are still dependent on a large proportion of unqualified staff, whether these be learners, auxiliaries or support workers.