Views of leading nurse educators regarding the comprehensive basic nursing programme

This article describes a Delphi survey amongst nurse educators in South Africa. The aim was to describe their perceptions regarding the reasons for the comprehensive basic nursing programme (CBNP), its aims and expected outcomes. There was general agreement that the programme was necessary, and that it was designed mainly to produce a nurse who could function in a comprehensive health service. Integration of information and economic arguments were also mentioned. Making available a nurse who can deliver a comprehensive service to all people, was also seen as the main aim of the programme. Independent learning, competency in a whole range of skills, the ability to function in a multidisciplinary team and high level cognitive skills were mentioned as additional aims.