title: The nature of ophthalmic services, and the education and qualifications of nurses: a national survey.
abstract: This paper reports on a national survey undertaken by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Ophthalmic Nursing Forum to assess, first, the nature of ophthalmic services and, second, skill-mix and educational opportunities of nurses working with ophthalmic patients. A questionnaire was formulated and tested by members of the committee, with research and statistical support from the School of Nursing Studies, University of Manchester. The questionnaire was sent to the total population of ophthalmic units/hospitals in the UK (n = 168). Following descriptive statistical data analysis it was concluded that in smaller units, that is those with less than 18 beds (NB mean number of beds = 18), less than one in four nurses holds an ophthalmic qualification. Some respondents identified that in 10 instances no nurses held an ophthalmic qualification and that on 12 further occasions only one nurse held a relevant ophthalmic qualification. There are insufficient numbers of nurses holding ophthalmic qualifications. The implications of this situation are discussed and recommendations made.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Studies, University of Manchester, England.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Waterman
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beed
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McQueen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stott
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Studley
mesh_terms: D002322:Career Mobility; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006302:Health Services Research; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom