This descriptive, cross-sectional survey investigates nurses' attitudes towards postoperative pain control and assessment, as well as their views on what is important and relevant to postoperative pain, its control and assessment.This was achieved by the use of a self-administered questionnaire devised by Davis (1988) and Scott (1992).Thirty questionnaires were distributed to Registered General Nurses from two surgical wards within one health authority. Twenty questionnaires were completed and returned within the study period.It was found that nurses had mixed attitudes (that is, partly positive, partly negative) towards postoperative pain control and its assessment. Although nurses appeared to be aware of the importance of accurate assessment and effective postoperative pain management, their attitudes were not always consistent with their beliefs.
