Education of nursing students for better collaboration of client, nurse and physician

The role of the professional nurse in participation with other members of the health care team is exciting and demanding. The professional student at various levels could benefit from the experience in this ambulatory setting to aquire skills and explore the concept of promoting health as well as care of illness. Minnesota has been a forerunner in the passage of legislation which informs the citizens as to the expectations they can hold in relation to their health care. A majority of these rights pertain to the informational needs of persons seeking health care. To comply with the law, the health care providers must be cognizant of the law and acquire skills as students to enable the client to be active and intelligent participants in their health care team, in either acceptance or refusal of care. The opportunity and challenges are obvious. How will we as nursing educators assist our students as practitioners of tomorrow to meet them?