[The cognitive complexity of nursing knowledge in nursing students. Analysis of studies performed in the years 1984...

In the article the knowledge-structure of nursing students from 1984 and 1988 is compared, by using exam-answers in psychiatric and surgical nursing (N = 110). The purpose is to find out, if the first students with the new curriculum differ in their knowledge-structure. The structure is analyzed with the concept of cognitive complexity which includes working capacity and relating-operations. The result is that the students in both years have capacity, but they lack relating-operations. In psychiatric nursing the somatic side is seldom mentioned; in surgical nursing the disease is the focus. The health-perspective cannot be seen in the answers. The result shows problems in reaching the objectives of nursing education. The frame of analysis could be used in qualitative student-assessment. Generalizations cannot be made, because of the size of the sample and the different structure of education in student groups.