The work of practical nursing educators. A case study report

In 1987 a study was carried out at two upper secondary schools. The aim was to study the working conditions of teachers in a changing environment by interviewing different professionals in the school as well as students. In the last five years, the average age of students was found to have fallen by two to four years. Another finding was that the entrance requirements had been lowered. In the same five-year period the drop-out rates at one of the two schools had risen from 5/60 to 18/81. At the other school 5/30 dropped out in 1987. Many of the teachers interviewed reported their students to be open-minded and spontaneous but at the same time too immature to work in the medicare sector, especially in the psychiatric field. A tendency appeared for teachers to take on a more curative and supportive role. The teachers maintained certain minimum standards and students who did not pass their examinations were required to withdraw.