Individual vs collective activity: a primary nursing paradox

Primary nursing has been proclaimed as a way of providing nursing care that benefits both the patient and the nurse. This article supports this view; however, a pragmatic approach is taken to identify some of the paradoxes and contradictions that may be encountered. These include: conflicts of loyalty; planning psychological care; empowerment of patients; empowerment of nurses; and competition. By using examples from practice the issues surrounding these concepts are explored, examining the impact both on practice and on nursing as an occupation. Nurses must address these paradoxes if they are to prevent conflict and frustration. The future goal of fully implementing primary nursing will, however, provide great opportunity and potential for improving patient care.