Stroke patients' perceptions of hospital nursing care.

While nursing remains uncertain about the nature of its role in stroke rehabilitation, recent research by social scientists re-affirms its importance. This study explored a small number of stroke patients' perceptions of hospital nursing care in order to illuminate the meaning of the role in practice. Informants' early experiences of nursing care in general medical and care of the elderly assessment wards were dominated by having the necessary done, while nursing in the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit was characterized by a do it yourself approach. These two concepts are explored in detail and related to the existing literature, suggesting some specific areas for practice development and research.