Abstract:

This paper addresses the nature of nursing and the role of the nurse as these relate to the care of the aged in Australia today. The role of the nurse and the nature of nursing have been taught as subjects in schools of nursing from the perspectives in which they are described here for at least the past decade. These perspectives are not isolated to institutional settings. They are broad in scope and focus on identifying and meeting the nursing needs of the individual by a process of assessment, implementation and evaluation -- not very different to processes taught in other schools, e.g. management. Fundamental changes are presently being implemented in response to numerous reports concerning aged care in Australia and to date in terms of Government provision this has been largely institutional. Demographic changes are also occurring and the essential characteristics of Australia's ageing population are summarized and the implications for aged care and for nursing considered. The need to address the issues raised here is becoming more urgent and vital.