Abstract: An analysis of policy making structure and process within the department of Health concerned with the issue of smoking and health. This paper deals with an important area of public policy both in terms of process and substance. It attempts to identify how policy is made in New Zealand. How policy is determined by the elected representative of the people and how far policy is made by the permanent state employees. The way political power is brought to bear in policy implementation is examined, as is the question: What level of policy research and analysis on smoking and health is affected in New Zealand? Attention is directed towards complex ideas of participation, representation and minority rights as well as to democratic theory in relation to cause and influence of conflict, public opinion formation, interest group influence and public policy making

Abstract: Research paper presented as part of the requirements for Nursing Studies component of a B.A. Degree Wellington Victoria University, Wellington

Abstract: An exploration of the nature of nursing knowledge in practice. The praxis methodology was inspired by the Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness and evolved through the process of the research. The methodology was eventually presented as both the process of research and practice. Five families were visited in their homes five times to talk about what was going on for them. All were experiencing a time of great upheaval in family life. After three visits a summary text was constructed merging researcher statements and parent quotes and given to the families. Through the subsequent reflective discussion significant insights into family pattern were shown in statements of intended action to change how health matters were managed with greater facility in family living. The process was presented as five themes with descriptors representing a non-linear, discontinuous progression: A moment of partnership: parameters of entry and closure, a timing of upheaval in family life, and an in-forming capacity through the bringing together of family story-telling and researcher's theory. An evolving dialogue: a progressive flow of enfolding and unfolding, and its embeddedness in contexts of socio-economic status, gender and health care culture. Recognising pattern: incidental revelations and an all-encompassing insight as the potential for action. Expanding horizon: moving from being on a treadmill trapped in the present without vision to having a view to a future, the presence of past and future. Increasing connectedness: a sense of inclusion, inter-dependence and generally, transformation in family life. This was a framework for personal practice

Abstract: The relevance of Nursing Curricula and the degree of effectiveness of their outcomes for the 'consumer' ( clients, students, a given society) are seen as commiserate to the degree that a curriculum is developed with due regard for the 'social realities' of a society. "Social realities' are defined as the actual conditions, pressures, disabilities and abilities, limitations and resources that exist in the lifespan of people and form the environment within which Nursing practices. A Curriculum relevancy process ( CRP) has been developed for use as the main analytical tool of the study. CRP has been designated as an information seeking, problem solving and evaluative process. It consists of three phases with a major emphasis on the first phase, information seeking. Information has been gathered about contemporary social realities ( the year of 1979) and related Socio- health disorders. Information has been gathered and analysed from official ad voluntary sources and the findings related to curricular choices for Nursing education

Abstract: A student exercise using the qualitative research approach of Glaser and Strauss, commonly known as 'Grounded Theory'. The theory is generated from and grounded into data. Part One dealt with the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research and its applicability as a methodology to add to Nursings' knowledge base. Part Two was a student learning exercise in the use of Grounded theory as a strategy for theory generation. Nurses identified three main categories that contributed to their perception of their stress level. 1. The degree of control Nurses perceived themselves as having on any given situation. 2. Their personal self image. 3. Their interpersonal skills and relationships with other people within the work environment

Abstract: The experience of loneliness within a people-centered profession has supported nursings silencing and invisibility. A literature expedition through communication texts and journals led to an awareness of the paucity of literature which explores and acknowledges how we dialogue together, rather than the more fashionable focus on how we should communicate with others.

Abstract: An emergent theoretical perspective in the nursing literature relates to nursing as a human science and the application of critical social science and feminist frameworks to nursing research. This research adds to the discipline's knowledge base in that it is at the leading edge of exploring how critical case study illuminates critical issues in the practice of nursing.My interest in the research question came from hearing colleagues espouse the view that other than a legal one, there were no differences in practice between enrolled and registered nurses. How accurate was this perception? Without answers to this question, members of the nursing profession in New Zealand were likely to make some major decisions about the future of enrolled nursing which history will show were ill founded. Since I “walk the talk” of both the world of practice and the corridors of nursing power relationships, I sought answers by incorporating the viewpoints of both groups into the research design.Five registered nurses who had previously been enrolled nurses were asked to consider what was different about their present practice compared to their experiences as an enrolled nurse.Through critically reflexive discourse and journalling, Liz, Emma, Kathy, Helen and myself came to reflect on our nursing worlds in order to transform them.Writing about these transformations in a way that kept our voices alive was more difficult. The cases were written as stories, using storytelling as a legitimate academic activity to link the methodology with the theoretical perspectives. This ensured our individual voices were heard rather than silenced by the research process. It also left a clear decision trail for the reader to follow related to issues of rigor. Paradoxically, the identification of patterns across the case studies was facilitated.Two main patterns emerged in answer to the question “what's different in your practice now from when you were an enrolled nurse?” The differences were explicated in the pattern “Becoming a registered nurse” while “She was one of us” exposed the underlying power and control issues. This study found that the enrolled nurse controls practice at the bedside.The nursing profession's stance on the future of enrolled nurses was also explored through case study. Key nursing stakeholders were interviewed using a proposed legislative change to the Nurses' Act, 1977, that would lead to the demise of the enrolled nurses as a category of nurse, as a focus point. These different perspectives expose for critique the socio-political forces that silence the voice of enrolled nurses in determining their own future. At a legislative level, the stakeholders' voices are dominant. The future of enrolled nurses looks increasingly bleak in New Zealand as the nursing profession positions itself legislatively for the 21st century