Some aspects of patient care and ward management
perceived as non-clinical nursing were
identified by participants as part of their
responsibility. However, these tasks were viewed
as pivotal to the functioning of the ward and if
not performed, nursing participants believed that
a compromise in patient care would re s u l t .
Nursing care was perceived to include activities
such as counselling, medication education,
illness education, family education, pro v i d i n g
information, advocating, assisting with aspects of
daily living, organising aspects of patient care,
discharge planning, managing the ward environment
and patient assessment.