The nature of the educational experience for nursing.

THIS topic suggests, first of all, that there is something we call education Further, it suggests that this experience is educational and hence involves a learning process in the preparation for the practice of nursing. Lastly, the topic implies that there is a nature to this experience. Which would mean, it has characteristic constituents or traits of origin. However, the word nature may also mean -- the entire material universe and its phenomena(l). Our topic confronts us immediately with a search for meaning -- the meaning of what? The meaning for whom? -- the meaning of words which are the symbols of perceptions forming concepts that can be shared in their understanding. What I really want to say is, look, the educational process is an extremely complex phenomenon and we must ask questions in order to gain an understanding of this process. Only through careful analysis and a search for meaning can we gain the necessary insights which will allow us to take those actions which, to the best of our knowledge, will provide us with directives for the preparation of nurses. We need nurses who have personal strength and creativity and knowledge to cope with the complexities of the health care system of today and the inherent forces shaping its tomorrow.