RNs as teachers of junior doctors.

Interviews with registered nurses and with interns were part of a preliminary study that explored the question of whether, because of the close working relationships between junior doctors and registered nurses on the wards, the latter might in fact play an important role in educating and supervising the former. Results of the study provide support for the hypothesis that nurses do play a role in teaching interns clinical procedures and in inducing them into ward routines and aspects of patient care. However, this teaching function is officially unacknowledged. It appears to proceed within the confines of the 'doctor-nurse game' in that the teaching-learning relationship involves an inversion of power and authority that cannot be acknowledged by participants. One recommendation from the study is that if registered nurses play this teaching role they should receive training and recognition for it.