Abstract: Flight nurse perceptions of factors inflencing clinical decision making in their practice environment: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Nursing at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Taradale, New Zealand
The research project sought to describe the flight nurses perceptions about the factors that influence clinical decision making in their flight nursing practice, using a descriptive survey methodology. Themes emerged as factors which participants perceived influenced clinical decision making in their flight nursing role and in the aeromedical role. These themes included pre-flight preparation, patient status, experience and education of the nurse, and the challenges associated with the physical and atmospheric environments.

Abstract: Case study research, as a qualitative methodology, attracts some criticism, especially related to rigour, reliability and validity. A New Zealand-based study that explored complex phenomena – flexible learning for postgraduate nurses – provides a practical example of how the case study design can address these criticisms. Through describing the mixed methods used, different sources and methods of data collection, and data analysis, the process of achieving data quality and trustworthiness are highlighted.

Abstract: This research aimed to assess the evidence for benefits and risks of positive pressure mechanical valve (PPMV) intravenous access ports on central nervous system devices (CVADs) in children. PPMVs on CVADs have been promoted as preventing occlusion and the need for heparin flushing. A search for primary research to March 2010 was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL. There is sufficient evidence that some models of PPMV intravenous access ports on CVADs, when flushed with normal saline, are associated with increased bloodstream infections in children. Further research is required.

Abstract: Report to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust on Professional Supervision for registered Nurses and Midwives, May 1998.
Objective of Project:
To explore the extent of the development of a model of clinical supervision for nurses in the United Kingdom.
Some of the key points that emerged:
- Clinical supervision is a strong and accepted part of nursing culture in Britain. While not mandatory and not available to, or accepted by, all nurses, it is nevertheless generally known about and discussed at main nursing forums
- The strong support and directives coming from nursing leadership is a major factor in the adoption of clinical supervision as a developmental, support and quality control
- The increasing availability of resource material, courses, and in particular the investment made by the Department of Health and the Scottish Home and Health Office in funding a 23 site evaluation project has stimulated implementation of clinical supervision

Abstract: A research portfolio submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 2010.
Background:
The 2006 New Zealand (NZ) Guidelines for Rheumatic Fever (RHF) (National Heart Foundation of New Zealand and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2006) have an over-arching objective to support appropriate management of RHF to prevent recurrent attacks and reduce mortality and morbidity from RHF and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) (Craig, Anderson, & Jackson, 2008; National Heart Foundation of New Zealand and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2006).
Aims:
The aims of this study were to audit current practice and service provision associated with RHF programmes and initiatives in NZ District Health Boards (DHBs) against the 2006 NZ Guidelines for RHF and to identify the barriers and facilitators to clinicians meeting the guidelines.

Abstract: Margaret May Blackwell Trust Travel Study Fellowship 2009/2010.
This report is an exploration of some current international trends and tools in the delivery of services supporting families with young children that aim to utilise a partnership approach between health providers, families and their communities. The MMB scholarhsip for 2009/2010 included six weeks of international travel in order to consult with a range of people in realtion to services provided to parents with young children in their various communities. My proposal was to explore current policies supporting Family Partnership (FP)approaches in health services; trends relating to FP approaches in practice; tools supporting FP practice for clinicians; as well as recent FP training and initiatives.

Abstract: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand. June 2007
This study used an interpretive descriptive method to gain insight into and
explore key issues for rural nurses working and living in the same
community. Four Rural Nurse Specialists were recruited as participants. The
nurses had lived and nursed in the same rural community for a minimum of
12 months. Participants were interviewed face to face and their transcribed
interviews underwent thematic analysis.
The meta-theme was: the distinctive nature of rural nursing. The themes
identified were: interwoven professional and personal roles; complex role of
rural nurses and relationships with the community. A conceptual model was
developed to capture the relationship between the meta-theme and the
themes. A definition for rural nursing was developed from the findings.
This research identified some points of difference in this group of rural
nurses from the available rural nursing literature. It also provides a better
understanding of the supports Rural Nurse Specialists need to be successful
in their roles, particularly around the recruitment and retention of the rural
nursing workforce.

Abstract: This thesis concerns an investigation of the tripartite arrangements between the government, the nursing and the medical sectors in New Zealand over the period 1984 to 2001 with a particular focus on primary health care. The start point is the commencement of the health reforms instituted by the Fourth New Zealand Labour Government of 1984. The thesis falls within a framework of critical inquiry, specifically, the methodology of depth hermeneutics (Thompson, 1990), a development of critical theory. The effects of political and economic policies and the methodologies of neo-liberal market reform are examined together with the concept of collaboration as an ideological symbolic form, typical of enterprise culture. The limitations of economic models such as public choice theory, agency theory and managerialism are examined from the point of view of government strategies and their effects on the relationships between the nursing and medical professions. The influence of American health care policies and their partial introduction into primary health care in New Zealand is traversed in some detail, together with the experiences of health reform in several other countries. Post election 1999, the thesis considers the effect of change of political direction consequent upon the election of a Labour Coalition government and concludes that the removal of the neo-liberal ethic by Labour may terminate entrepreneurial opportunities in the nursing profession. The thesis considers the effects of a change to Third Way political direction on national health care policy and on the medical and nursing professions. The data is derived from various texts and transcripts of interviews with 12 health professionals and health commentators. The histories and current relationships between the nursing and medical professions are examined in relation to their claims to be scientific discourses and it is argued that the issue of lack of recognition as a scientific discourse is at the root of nursing's perceived inferiority to medicine. This is further expanded in a discussion at the end of the thesis where the structure of the two professions is compared and critiqued. A conclusion is drawn that a potential for action exists to remedy the deficient structure of nursing. The thesis argues that this is the major issue which maintains nursing in the primary sector in a perceived position of inferiority to medicine. The thesis also concludes that the role of government in this triangular relationship is one of manipulation to bring about necessary fundamental change in the delivery of health services at the lowest possible cost without materially strengthening the autonomy of the nursing or the medical professions.