New baccalaureate graduates in care of AIDS patients: perceptions of preparedness and information accessibility

Responding to an American Association of Colleges of Nursing's national survey, deans of baccalaureate nursing schools indicated that they are in a process of building curricula and clinical experiences to prepare practitioners who are skilled and confident in the care of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. On the average, their student nurse participants in the study reported moderate feelings of preparedness. If given a choice of patient assignment, two thirds of student respondents readily would provide direct care for a patient diagnosed with AIDS, taking appropriate precautions.