Perspectives on critical care nursing: South Africa

v The first critical care units in South Africa were established in the early 1960s. v Critical care nursing education is provided on two levels: as a post-registration diploma and as a post-graduate (Masters) degree. v South African critical care nurses are independent, accountable practitioners who function within a professional ethical framework. v Currently there is an acute shortage of critical care nurses, and only around 26% of the nurses working in critical care are suitably trained. v In South Africa, nurses describe the experience of working in critical care as a ‘passionate nightmare’.