Around 60 per cent of primary care and community nurses are willing to work with their local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to implement the government's health reforms, despite many initially opposing the changes.
An Independent Nurse online survey of 123 nurses found that 59 per cent were prepared to play an active role in making CCGs a success. Of these, 89 per cent said they had harboured concerns about the government's plans during the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill through parliament, but now wanted to be involved in the commissioning agenda.
However, 41 per cent of respondents said they would not be engaging proactively with the new structures.
One respondent said: 'I feel let down by the government, but I will get involved if only to make sure public money is not syphoned off to private company shareholders.'
A community nurse added: 'In this day and age we need to adapt to change and work together with the commissioners.'
A health visitor commented that she would 'work to try and make the best of these changes' while remaining 'unconvinced that they are for the best'.
Many nurses remain angry about the passing of the Act in the face of widespread opposition.
'We all see the need for reform, but no consultation took place in drafting the bill, and only scant regard was taken in the amendments,' summed up one nurse practitioner respondent.
PCTs will be abolished by April 2013 and replaced with CCGs, which must include a nurse board member.
Independent Nurse's 'No Tokenism' campaign calls on CCGs to ensure nurses have genuine influence in the planning of local services.