Community nurses: a culture of uncertainty

From April to December 1991, nearly 1,000 community-based nurses working in the areas covered by four first-wave community Trusts took part in the first year of a three-year study on job satisfaction. Their comments revealed that a climate of uncertainty, fear and a certain amount of alienation existed, as well as pockets of optimism. The next phase of the study will show how nurses see their role and future as the change to Trust status begins to take effect.