What nurses say they do and need: implications for the educational preparation of nurses.

The scope of contemporary nursing is a critical factor in determining the appropriate educational preparation of nurses today and in the future. This qualitative study involved interviewing nurses throughout Australia in a variety of work and geographical settings to develop a snapshot of what nurses are doing, the skills needed and the challenges faced.The snapshot of contemporary practice that emerged is one of considerable diversity, which poses challenges for educators of nurses in terms of what constitutes appropriate or adequate educational preparation for nurses. Understandings of what constitutes clinical skills, and consequently clinical education, are explored as is what calls for 'more' clinical education may actually mean. Caution is raised about educating for present needs that are based on limited conceptions of what constitutes a nursing workplace. It is argued that education for nurses, both initial and on going, must be cognizant of educating for what might be, not simply somewhat short-term imperatives.