Dedicated education units: 1. A new concept for clinical teaching and learning.

The Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) is a new concept in clinical nurse education. The DEU plays a major role in enhancing links between health care providers and The Flinders University of South Australia (FUSA) School of Nursing. This collaborative venture has created a more positive clinical learning environment, maximized the achievement of student learning outcomes, and nurtured closer partnership between clinicians and academics. Recognition of mutuality, respect and trust among all stakeholders is central to its success. This paper (part one) explains the rationale for the DEU and describes its inherent values. Part two reports on an evaluation of the DEU.