New nursing era may prove detrimental.Congratulations to Chris Cottingham for his article "Cottingham's Law: Report from the working party on nursing expertise" published in last month's Kai kai Noun NZ informal food [Maori] kai noun N.Z. (informal) food, grub (slang) provisions, fare, board, commons, eats (slang Tiaki Nursing New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. . It is refreshing to be able to smile while reading an article printed after the letters' section. So often there are more negative than positive comments about nursing to be found there, bravely submitted by our nursing colleagues. Even though Chris intends his article to be "irreverent ir·rev·er·ent adj. 1. Lacking or exhibiting a lack of reverence; disrespectful. 2. Critical of what is generally accepted or respected; satirical: irreverent humor. musings", to me they farcically far·ci·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to farce. 2. a. Resembling a farce; ludicrous. b. Ridiculously clumsy; absurd. far illustrate the ever widening gap between nurses working with patients and those working in administration. The chasm has become so wide, it may soon be impossible to bridge. I am proud to be a practice nurse and enjoy the scope this branch of nursing offers, but I fear for the future of "grass roots grass roots pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) 1. People or society at a local level rather than at the center of major political activity. Often used with the. 2. The groundwork or source of something. " nursing when so many experienced people are leaving the profession because of recent Nursing Council requirements, eg portfolios for professional development and restrictions on dual registration for midwives and nurses. I also read in the same magazine that the Council has recently reduced the number of clinical hours required over the three-year nursing degree from 1500 to 1100 (see editorial, p2). If student nurses are to feel competent on entering clinical settings, both during their training and following graduation, surely having more experienced nurses as their mentors, easing them into their role as registered nurses, remains important. I respect the fact that change is necessary in all professions but am concerned that perhaps the adage "out with the old and in with the new" may herald a new nursing era that will be detrimental det·ri·men·tal adj. Causing damage or harm; injurious. det  ri·men to
many. I would like to acknowledge the co-editors for providing a forum
in which to express the above views.
Margaret Baillie, RN, Invercargill |
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