Public nursing training in neglect

Abstract

South Africa's public health system is overworked and understaffed. There are severe shortages of doctors, dentists and allied health professionals such as pharmacists. Nurses, also in short supply, are nonetheless the largest single category of professional in the health sector, and are bearing the brunt of public healthcare, particularly in rural areas. Yet the training of nurses in the public sector has been neglected. Mignonne Breier, Angelique Wildschut and Thando Mgqolozana report.