Abstract: Considers whether the Canterbury Dedicated Education Unit model of clinical teaching and learning can support graduate registered nurses in their first year of practice. Uses a descriptive exploratory case-study approach to gather data via three focus groups with a total of eleven participants. Undertakes thematic analysis to identify patterned meaning across the dataset from which two primary themes emerge: support, and recruitment and retention. Identifies five associated sub-themes: peer support, organisational support, liaison nurse support, team support for the graduate registered nurses, and team support for the staff. Reveals the significant contribution made by the Nurse Entry-to-Practice Programme Liaison Nurse as a conflict broker.

Abstract: Aims to inform future curriculum design to support, retain, and attract more men to nursing. Uses a descriptive qualitative design to explore the experiences of male nurses prior, during and after the Bacelor of Nursing degree. Conducts semi-structured interviews with 9 male nurses resulting in two main themes: isolation during training; inaccurate public perception of the of the scope of the modern nurse.

Abstract: This dissertation came out of the author's wondering why there are still so few men going into nursing especially when the history of nursing reveals that men have been a part of nursing for a long time. In New Zealand it is only since the mid seventies that men have been able to gain the exact same nursing qualifications as their women colleagues. The author notes that men in nursing are still seen as unusual in that they work in a predominantly female occupation and have had their masculinity questioned by the myth that all men in nursing must be gay. There is also the notion that caring is a difficult task for men and is seen by society as a uniquely feminine ability. Both issues are related to dominant notions of masculinity. In addition to this there is currently a crisis in terms of a nursing shortage and it has been suggested that one way to resolve this crisis is to encourage more men into nursing. Thus this exploration as to why there are so few men in nursing is timely. Men who choose nursing as a career risk challenging the traditional roles of their gender stereotype. A comprehensive search of the literature from different disciplines reveals deeper issues than just the commonly held assumption that nursing is not masculine. Exploring the issues of gender with a particular focus on masculinity has uncovered the concept of hegemonic masculinity. This describes how gender is practiced in a way that legitimises patriarchy, reinforcing the dominant position of men over women as well as over other groups of men. It is these patriarchal attitudes that have seen men marginalised within nursing. On the one hand men in nursing could be seen as challenging the current dominant masculine ideal. However, on the other hand men in nursing may not challenge this hegemonic masculinity; instead often supporting the status quo in an effort to maintain their own masculinity. The author suggests that the implication for nursing, if it is to increase the numbers of men in the profession, is to challenge this notion of hegemonic masculinity. This needs to be done appropriately by critically examining this concept rather than by merely replacing one hegemony with another. He goes on to say that it is now time for nursing education to include a critical exploration of gender issues and how it relates to men as part of undergraduate nursing education for both men and women students.

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to review evidence about nurse workload, staffing, skill mix, turnover, and organisational characteristics' effect on outcomes; discuss methodological considerations in this research; discuss research initiatives currently under way; review policy initiatives in different countries; and make recommendations where more research is needed. Overall, an understanding of the relationships among nurse staffing and organisational climate to patient safety and health outcomes is beginning to emerge in the literature. Little is known about nursing turnover and more evidence is needed with consistent definitions and control of underlying patient characteristics. Research and policy initiatives in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States are summarised.

Abstract: This paper presents the findings from research that investigated the feasibility of developing a specialty return to mental health nursing programme in New Zealand. This was achieved through a scoping of existing return to nursing programmes; a survey of non-active nurses; and stakeholder consultation via interviews or focus groups. Existing generic programmes fail to attract non-active nurses wishing to focus on mental health nursing. The non-active nurses survey found 142 nurses who presently would or might possibly return to mental health nursing and participate in a programme. Most stakeholders supported the idea of implementing such a programme. The findings from this research indicate both feasibility and enthusiasm for the introduction of return to mental health nursing programmes. It is recommended that all aspects of this course mirror the service user focused 'recovery paradigm' that is a central tenet in contemporary mental health service delivery.

Abstract: The author notes that it is widely accepted that there is a global shortage of nurses, and there are many studies in the health workforce literature about the negative aspects of nurse work environments, nursing workloads, decreased job satisfaction of nurses and the impact these have on patient health outcomes. In the past five years there has also been international and New Zealand-specific research into the effects of health restructuring on nursing leadership, retention of nurses, and on patient care. Much of this research has shown that countries with very different health care systems have similar problems, not only with retention of qualified nursing staff due to high levels of job dissatisfaction, but also with work design and the provision of good quality patient care in hospitals. This dissertation explores the many detrimental effects on nurses and nursing leadership, of extensive, and continuing, public health restructuring in New Zealand. The context of this dissertation is New Zealand public hospitals, with references pertaining to medical and surgical areas of nursing practice. Health reforms have negatively impacted on patient care delivery systems, patient health outcomes, and retention of educated nurses in the workforce. In order to resolve these issues, coordinated efforts are required in New Zealand district health boards to develop and sustain effective nursing leaders, who will promote and assist in the development of strong, healthy organisational cultures to retain and support professional nurses and the ways in which they wish to practise.

Abstract: New Zealand's ageing population is predicted to have increasing degenerative musculoskeletal changes affecting both mobility and morbidity. In response, the New Zealand government is supporting a one hundred per cent increase in the number of elective joint replacements performed across the country from 2004 to 2008. However, like other specialties, orthopaedic nursing is experiencing shortages. In order to improve the recruitment and retention of orthopaedic nurses, as with other nursing specialties, childcare is offered as a strategy for consideration. In 2005, New Zealand parents indicated in an online survey, that in order for them to work, they needed affordable, quality and conveniently located childcare. Nurses have similarly indicated the importance of childcare when considering and managing a balance between their work and home lives. This paper explores contextual work and home life balance dialogues in relationship to nursing recruitment and retention issues and New Zealand nursing. Childcare as a recruitment and retention strategy, is explored in the context of New Zealand nursing and compared with the childcare strategies employed for nurses by Britain and Australia – New Zealand's major competitors for New Zealand nurses. The author concludes that, in light of the international shortage of nurses, childcare is an important recruitment and retention strategy which is currently absent in many of New Zealand's district health boards. Recommendations are offered to support the balance between work and home life for nurses and reconcile orthopaedic nurses to the clinical setting in order to provide the quality and efficient care that is needed for New Zealand's ageing society.