A monkey could do your job!

Abstract

The present ethos in the health service of cost effectiveness and quality assurance requires nurses to identify the value of nursing practice in a way previously unheard of. Questions arise from this in relation to nursing and the nature of nursing. Some managers I have discussed these issues with believe that nurses are not required in theatre. It is not really surprising that such beliefs abound. Nurses have traditionally been more preoccupied with getting the work done than analysing the value of the nursing role. Much of this role is practical and there has, in the past, been little written about the nature of practical nursing let alone specifically about the practice of theatre nurses. Benner's work, with its emphasis on practice and recognition of nursing expertise, has brought about a reconceptualisation of the value of practice and of the knowledge found in that practice. In addition, the whole area of practical knowledge and expertise is now benefiting from further exploration.