HIV AND AIDS - A SURVEY OF NURSE EDUCATION IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

A survey conducted throughout the United Kingdom examined the current provision being made to train nurses to care safely and sensitively fo r patients with HIV and AIDS. Problems relating to intolerance and pre judice are still commonly encountered. The study recommends that HIV a nd AIDS should be set into a wider context of sexuality, death and inf ection control rather than singled out for special attention. Nurses, both students and qualified staff, need to gain insight into their own values and prejudices if these are not to inhibit the giving of good quality care. Teaching in this subject area requires special skills an d there is concern that nursing is not equipped to deal with it. The i nvolvement of clinical specialists in educating nurses is perceived to have a strongly positive effect, helping to bridge a credibility gap and compensating for the lack of clinical experience amongst the teach ers. Providing opportunities for nurses to meet with people whose live s have been profoundly affected by the virus is also a powerful form o f learning. There is, however, a great need for support in this stress ful area of practice.