| Records |
| Author |
Saba, W. |
| Title |
Walking in two worlds: A Kaupapa Maori research project examining the experiences of Maori nurses working in district health boards, Maori mental health services |
Type  |
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| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Mental health; Psychiatric Nursing; District Health Boards; Maori |
| Abstract |
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| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 817 |
Serial |
801 |
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| Author |
Rochford, N.M. |
| Title |
As a nurse in the family: Three women's stories of what it means for a female nurse to be caregiver to a family member who is ill, elderly or with an enduring illness |
Type |
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| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
Nurse-family relations |
| Abstract |
In this research, three female registered nurses relived their experiences of being caregiver to a family member who was ill, elderly or had an enduring illness and explored whether they chose, or felt obligated, to assume the role of caregiver because they were nurses. This research was an exploratory descriptive study utilising narrative as inquiry and the method of story-telling. It is women-centered, taking into account the unpaid role of caregiving within families most often fulfilled by women. Four main themes were identified and renamed to highlight research findings – these were the culture of nursing, silence of the nurses, emotional cloudiness, and the natural role of the nurse. Through this study it is hoped that nurses will be more aware of the impact their caregiving roles have had on their lives. The importance in acknowledging the effects of caregiving, relevance of informing employers to promote supportiveness, implications for workforce development and recognising the loss of objectivity in caring when emotions are involved, are identified in this research. The author suggests that further indepth research about these concepts would be a valuable contribution to the nursing profession and ideas for future research have been identified. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
802 |
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| Author |
Bunn, S. |
| Title |
An exploration of the transition of patients from intensive care to the ward environment: A ward nursing perspective |
Type |
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| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
|
| Keywords |
Clinical decision making; Nursing; Communication |
| Abstract |
The transition of patients from intensive care to the ward environment is a regular occurrence in intensive care. Today patients are often transferred earlier and sicker due to the demands for intensive care beds. This results in patients with higher acuity being cared for in the wards. Here ward nurses have to meet the ongoing complex demands of caring for higher acuity patients, alongside managing high patient-to-nurse ratios, staffing concerns, and varying levels of experienced nurses. This research explored the experiences of ward nurses receiving patients transferred from intensive care. The aims were to identify any areas of concern, highlight specific problems that occur on transition and to address what information is pertinent to ward nurses when receiving patients from intensive care. A qualitative descriptive methodology using focus groups was utilised to gather information about these experiences. Three focus groups were held with ward nurses from various wards within the study setting hospital. All participants had considerable contact with intensive care and were familiar with the processes of transferring patients. Five themes emerged from the focus groups – Patients as intensive care staff say they are; Time to prepare the biggest thing; Documentation as a continuation of patient care; They forget what its like; and Families, a need to know about them. The theme Patients as intensive care staff say they are relates to reliable information sharing focused on the patient, their needs and condition. Participants expressed their concern that patients were not always in the condition that the intensive care staff stated they were on the referral. Having adequate time to prepare was considered important for the majority of ward nurses receiving patients from intensive care. Documentation was highlighted in the theme Documentation as a continuation of patient care particularly in relation to fluid balances and vital sign history. The theme They forget what its like suggests there is a perception that intensive care nurses have a lack of understanding of what the ward staff can actually manage. Decreased staffing levels during certain shift patterns and a lack of appropriately experienced staff on the wards is a common concern for ward nurses. Ward nurses also recognised that caring for families was part of their role. Patients and families may respond differently to the transfer process and their inclusion in transfer planning was seen as essential. Communication was a reoccurring element throughout all themes.The author concludes that communication is the paramount factor that impacts on a 'smooth transition' for ward nurses. A 'smooth transition' refers to the transfer of patients from intensive care to the next level of care. Subsequently, nurses' perceptions need to change, whereby transfer planning from ICU should be the focus rather than discharge planning. Transfer planning and education for all nursing staff is vital if the transfer process is to be improved. Consequently, transitional care within the context of ICU aims to ensure minimal disruption and optimal continuity of care for the patient. The knowledge gained from this research may provide better understanding of the multifaceted issues linked with transitional care that may be adapted for a wider range of patients in various clinical environments. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 827 |
Serial |
811 |
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| Author |
Bridgen, A.F. |
| Title |
A heuristic journey of discovery: Exploring the positive influence of the natural environment on the human spirit |
Type |
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| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Spirituality; Nursing; Nursing philosophy |
| Abstract |
The intention of this heuristic study was to explore and discover the essence of the positive influence of the natural environment on the human spirit. The study quest was identified as a central concern that evolved from the author's personal experience of spiritual awakening in the natural environment and an interest in the concept of connectedness in nursing care and practice. The study also focused on the self of the nurse and the qualities of holistic nursing care. Guided by heuristic methodology developed by Moustakas (1990) the thesis traces a journey of discovery. Using conversational interviews, six nurses were asked to describe their experiences of their spirit being positively influenced in the natural environment. These nurses were also asked if these beneficial experiences had any flow-on effect to their nursing practice. From these interviews various commonalities of experience were identified as well as some experiences unique to the individual participants. The participant knowing was articulated using Reed's (1992) dimensions of relatedness in spirituality as a framework. Reed describes these dimensions as being able to be experienced intrapersonally, interpersonally and transpersonally. A substantive body of nursing and non-nursing literature was explored to support the participant knowing and provide strength to the discussion. The study discovered that the human spirit is positively influenced in the natural environment. The three actions of personal healing and wellbeing in the natural environment, knowing self – knowing others and sustaining self in nursing practice were valued by the participants as contributing to the quality of their nursing care. In bringing together spirituality, the natural environment and nursing, holism was discovered to be the significant and connecting constituent. The study has some implications for the discipline of nursing that are also discussed by the author. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 831 |
Serial |
815 |
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| Author |
Campbell, K. |
| Title |
Intertwining the role of partner and caregiver: A phenomenological study of the experiences of four New Zealand rural women who have cared for their terminally ill partners |
Type |
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| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Rural nursing; Terminal care; Palliative care; Home care; Nurse-family relations |
| Abstract |
The stories of the women who live and work in rural settings in New Zealand have begun to reveal unique contributions that they have made to their families and community. This research study evolved from a trend the researcher observed as a district nurse providing community palliative care in rural New Zealand; that the majority of carers of those who are terminally in home-settings are in fact women. This qualitative study aimed to explore through guided conversational interviews the experiences of four women who have cared for their terminally ill partners who have subsequently died. The study investigated if these women's experiences were comparable to that of other women in existing palliative care literature. This research project focused particularly on elucidating the women's experience of intertwining the role of partner and caregiver. Heidegger's hermeneutic philosophy informed the methodology because he focused on what it meant to 'be' rather than 'how we know what we know'. The project focused on the meanings the women made of this dual role in their lives. Women already in the role of partner were now faced with the added responsibility of caregiver to meet the complex needs of their loved one. Usually they had no training to prepare them for this experience. The study reveals ways in which the visiting palliative care nurse becomes very important to them. The women's own voices reveal the high level of respect for their partners and address the harsh realities, revealing poignant and striking concerns in their lives. These stories are shared with the intent of enriching nurses' and other health professionals' understanding of the women's experiences. The author notes that understanding these women's experience is not only a way of honouring these remarkable women but more widely it will inform and possibly transform practice through guideline and policy refinement. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
822 |
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| Author |
Smith, P.A. |
| Title |
Mad bad or sad: Caring for the mentally disordered offender in the court environment from a nurse's perspective |
Type |
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| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Mental health; Psychiatric Nursing |
| Abstract |
This paper examines the difficulties health professionals face daily when providing care for the mentally disordered offender in the court environment. The role of the court nurse is to provide care for people with mental health needs in the court and health professionals can find this a restrictive environment to work in. This is mainly due to the court's legal processes which are designed to punish rather than offer therapeutic alternatives. By advocating for the mentally disordered offender, the court nurse ensures the court is aware of an individual's mental health needs, thus reducing the prospect of inappropriate sentencing, and the associated stigmatisation that may occur as a result of a criminal conviction. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 843 |
Serial |
827 |
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| Author |
Bray, Y.M. |
| Title |
A migrant family's experience of palliative nursing care |
Type |
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| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
Palliative care; Cultural safety; Asian peoples; Nurse-patient relations |
| Abstract |
The focus of this research was to explore the migrant family's experience in palliative care. In writing this thesis, the author notes that it became evident that cultural safety was a connection that warranted further study in relation to end-of-life nursing care as was illustrated by the intergenerational case study of this migrant family in New Zealand. The use of the case study method of qualitative research enabled the voice of the migrant to be heard and the story of the migrant family's experience to be showcased. The uniqueness of this family's palliative care experience was around the religious and cultural needs and migration as a process of transition from a previous society to a new one. Palliative care was defined by the family approach with strong community support and empowered by culturally safe and appropriate nursing practice. End-of-life illness is a time when cultural perspectives are challenged for patients and their families and religious and cultural practices take on a new priority, regardless of how they have lived life previously. As a migrant nurse living and working in the New Zealand context, the author identifies as an important factor, the nurse-patient interaction as an encounter between two cultural perspectives, the patient's and the nurse as bearer of her own culture. Acknowledging this factor is an important step in developing a culturally safe approach to practice, an approach that proved to be a major ingredient in planning and caring for this patient and his family in end-of-life illness. This study and thesis explores the underpinnings of culturally safe palliative nursing care and identified 'reflexive bracketing' as a useful practice in the process. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 846 |
Serial |
830 |
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| Author |
Arcus, K.J. |
| Title |
Often wearisome, sometimes saddening, but always interesting: A hundred years of district nursing in Wellington, 1903-2003 |
Type |
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| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
District nursing; History |
| Abstract |
October 2003 marked the centenary of Wellington district nursing. Annie Holgate, a 'trained, professional' nurse, was employed to care for the sick poor in 1903. The Wellington St John Ambulance District Nursing Guild funded district nursing for over fifty years. The first president, Sarah Ann Rhodes, left a legacy of a solid financial and administrative base for the whole of the Guild's existence. From 1945 the Wellington Hospital Board assumed responsibility for district nursing and expanded the service to the greater Wellington region. In 1974 the Community Health Services were formed, with Pauline MacInnes as the nurse leader. Expansion of healthcare in the community ensued, with district nurses pivotal to client-centred, community-based, collaborative healthcare. This service was dismantled in the wake of health sector restructuring in 1989. The philosophy and operation of the Community Health Service of this period bears a striking resemblance to the current concept of Primary Health Care. Primary sources from Wellington St John, Kai Tiaki and data from official publications were used to compile this history. Emergent themes are the autonomy of district nurses' practice, the invisibility of district nursing and the impact of visionary leadership. All have implications for the future of district nursing. District nursing, initially dependent on philanthropy, has been publicly funded in New Zealand since 1944. District nursing is now an essential component of health care. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 851 |
Serial |
835 |
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| Author |
Beaton, T. |
| Title |
Postnatal depression: Four women's experiences of care from a nurse |
Type |
|
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
Female; Mental health; Nurse-patient relations; Feminist critique |
| Abstract |
Postnatal depression is a term used loosely to describe disorders of mood and distressing symptoms for women in the postpartum, yet it has its own distinct symptoms. It is thought to affect between 10 and 20 percent of new mothers in New Zealand. In order to deliver effective nursing care that has a positive impact on the health of women who experience postnatal depression, nurses need knowledge and theory to underpin practice. This study explores the experience of four women who experienced postnatal depression and the care they received from a nurse. A postmodern feminist position informed the research project. Women became actively involved in a focus group to explore their experiences. A thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts revealed the women's experiences of care from nurses and health professionals as not always helpful. The themes that arose from the analysis were knowledge, perception, care and self. Knowledge examined the women's and significant others' knowledge of postnatal depression as well as women's own knowledge of themselves. Perception identified the women's beliefs of and views on mental illness, as well as their expectations of motherhood. Care as a concept was examined as to how it was provided by nurses. This encompassed a lack of care and, in contrast, supportive care as impacting on the women's individual experiences. Self described the experiences of a loss of self as women experienced their distress in the postpartum, and that a regaining of self was identified by women as difficult, and this is where they required support. The themes are discussed and critiqued with literature that identifies the nursing role with women who experience postnatal depression. There are recommendations for ongoing research and development of the nursing role in order to promote the health and wellbeing of women in the postpartum. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
850 |
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| Author |
Ritchie, M.S. |
| Title |
Process evaluation of an emergency department family violence intervention programme |
Type |
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| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
Emergency nursing; Evaluation |
| Abstract |
Family violence is common and there are significant long-term negative health effects from victimisation. Health professionals are now recognised as key providers of family violence intervention. The Hawke's Bay District Health Board HBDHB) launched a Family Violence Intervention Programme in the emergency department in 2002, in accordance with national directives. The Family Violence Intervention Programme includes routine questioning for partner abuse within social history assessments for all women 16 years and over who seek healthcare services. Nurses assumed responsibility for implementing this programme into emergency department practice. Establishing partner abuse screening in practice requires an organisational and attitudinal change. Achieving and sustaining this change can be difficult. Evaluation was considered an essential aspect of the systems approach adopted within the HBDHB Family Violence Intervention Programme to support change. The aim of this study was to identify the enablers and barriers to routine questioning in the emergency department one year after the programme was launched and the strategies to address these barriers. The staff who have responsibility for routinely questioning women were considered well placed to provide this information. The methodology selected was evaluation research using semi-structured interviews. The design included member checking and triangulation of the findings. Eleven emergency department staff members participated in five (two group and three single) interviews. The interviews revealed that routine questioning for partner abuse is difficult in the emergency department setting. Barriers to questioning exist and enablers can eliminate or minimise these. Enablers such as policy and training support routine questioning. Barriers identified included the lack of privacy and time. Participants suggested strategies to overcome these. These barriers, enablers and solutions were either personal or organisational in origin and all had a common theme of safety. An outcome of the study was the development of a model of barriers and enablers to ensure safety when routinely questioning women for partner abuse. This evaluation has utility within the HBDHB as it informs programme progression. However, the evaluation has wider implications. The experiences of the emergency department staff led to the emergence of key themes that may inform the development of comparable programmes. Introducing routine questioning requires a practice change; a multifaceted approach focusing on safety can assist staff to achieve that change. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
851 |
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| Author |
Clayton, J.R. |
| Title |
The recovery of hope: A personal journey through paradigms toward emancipatory practice |
Type |
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| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Psychiatric Nursing; Mental health; Teaching methods; Nursing philosophy |
| Abstract |
This study traces the author's transition from being a mental health nurse to becoming a facilitator of an education programme, the Health and Wellbeing course, for those in recovery from mental illnesses. Within this transition, she describes a journey from disease-focused paradigms toward emancipatory paradigms, evidenced by her application of the recovery approach to her teaching. The 'recovery approach' proposed by the Mental Health Commission in November 1998, and other models of health, are explored using the methodology of descriptive/interpretive philosophical inquiry, autobiographical narrative and a dialectical research design. The author draws from the philosophies of phenomenology and existentialism to present excerpts from her journals, exemplars, poetry and artwork which illuminate epiphanies occurring as she integrates health paradigms in the design of the Health and Wellbeing course. Within this process the recovery approach is revealed as being consistent with the teaching principles of the Health and Wellbeing course. The author goes on to say that the dialectical research design reveals paradoxes and transformations in nursing, medical, psychological, and humanistic paradigms within the New Zealand socio-political context from the 1970s to 2003. The way these are integrated into her practice as an educator, becomes evident in the dialectical research cycles of being, thinking, developing a project, the encounter of teaching, making sense and communication. These cycles reveal her being in the roles of nurse and educator and the thinking through of paradigms that lead to the design and philosophy of a Health and Wellbeing course, the encounter of teaching, and the communication of insights gained. The author's main objective is to show the importance of nurses and educators developing a reflective consciousness when working with sufferers of mental illness. This reflective consciousness involves three levels: The primary level, or raw experience; the social level, or our socio-political contexts and social values, and, the realised level, insights gained about knowledge and experience. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
854 |
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| Author |
Bresaz, D.M. |
| Title |
Environmental influences on inpatient assaultive behaviour |
Type |
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| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
Workplace violence; Mental health; Psychiatric Nursing; Methodology; Administration |
| Abstract |
This retrospective quasi-experimental study reviewed assaults in two adult mental health inpatient rehabilitation units. The majority of clients in this area experience enduring mental health illnesses and have complex physical health issues. The service comprises of an intensive rehabilitation unit and a secure extended rehabilitation unit. Between May and August 2001 the service moved to purpose built facilities. The opportunity was taken to review clients' assaultive behaviour in the new environment and to compare the incidents with those in the old environment to see if there had been any significant changes. Data on assault incidents including time of assault, place of assault, who was involved and what preventative actions were suggested were collected from the Incident and Accident Hazard Reports (IAHR) dating from 1 April 2000 until 31 May 2002. Staff were expected to complete IAHR reports on all assault incidents. The research examined whether the change in environmental conditions impacted on clients' wellbeing in relation to assaultive behaviour. Trends within the IAHR reports were also examined in order to compare these to similar studies completed in other parts of the world. There were 141 IAHR reports of assault incidents. Fifty of these occurred in the pre move period, 38 in the transition phase and 53 in the post move. There was no significant difference in the rate of assaults in the pre-move to post move period. Completion of the IAHR forms was seen to be very problematic, especially in relation to legal status of perpetrators and documentation of prevention strategies. An urgent audit of existing practice is now required to establish if problems found with the quality and completion of the IAHR forms continues to be evident in the rehabilitation service and if present staff education is needed to improve the standard of documentation. Research is also needed to establish the extent to which staff implement strategies to prevent assaults, and to reduce recidivism. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
858 |
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| Author |
Laracy, K. |
| Title |
Exploration of the self: The journey of one pakeha cultural safety nurse educator |
Type |
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| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Cultural safety; Teaching methods; Nursing; Education; Professional development; Transcultural nursing; Maori; Identity |
| Abstract |
Cultural safety is taught in all undergraduate nursing programmes in Aotearoa/New Zealand. There is a predominance of Pakeha nurse educators in teaching this content. There is little explanation of what being Pakeha entails. This perpetuates a silence and continues the dominant hegemonic position of Pakeha in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This study suggests that as Pakeha cultural safety nurse educators we examine our dominance and critique the delivery of cultural safety education. This autobiographical study undertakes to explore the Pakeha identity of a cultural safety nurse educator. The author discusses identity in the context of a globalised world, and challenges the idea of a definitive Pakeha identity. There are multiple descriptions of Pakeha, all underdeveloped and inadequate for the purposes of cultural safety education. In this study, the author uses the heuristic process of Moustakas (1990) and Maalouf's (2000) ideas of vertical and horizontal heritage to locate and present the essence of the self. In keeping with the purpose of cultural safety education, the author considers her ethnic cultural self as described by Bloch (1983) and explores Helms' (1990) theory of White racial identity development. This thesis describes the position of one Pakeha in the context of teaching cultural safety in an undergraduate nursing degree programme in Aotearoa/New Zealand. For Pakeha cultural safety nurse educators the author argues that exploration of one's heritages and location of a personal Pakeha identity is pivotal to progressing the enactment of cultural safety in Aotearoa /New Zealand. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
864 |
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| Author |
Radka, I.M. |
| Title |
Handover and the consumer voice: The importance of knowing the whole, full story |
Type |
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| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Communication; Patient satisfaction; Nurse-patient relations |
| Abstract |
In the acute hospital setting, nurses provide care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Due to the ever-changing nature of the patient's situation, nurses need quality information at the beginning of each eight-hour shift to plan and implement patient care effectively. It is claimed that handover is central for maintaining the continuity and the quality of patient care. This qualitative descriptive study was undertaken to identify what core information needs to be exchanged at nursing handover to ensure quality and continuity of patient care. Five consumers who had experience of recurrent hospital admissions shared their perceptions of handover practice through individual interviews. Three focus group meetings of seven nurses from a secondary care setting discussed handover practice from their professional perspectives. Both nursing and consumer voices are integral to the overall understanding of this study but the consumer voice is the privileged and dominant voice. Through the process of thematic content analysis the central themes of communication, continuity and competence emerged for the consumers. Consumers expect to be kept informed and involved in their healthcare. They want continuity of nurse, information and care and expect that nurses involved in the delivery of healthcare are competent to manage their situation. The 'importance of knowing' is the overarching construct generated in this research. Knowing is identified as the foundation on which quality and continuity of care is built and is discussed under the subheadings of: not knowing, knowing the patient as a person, knowing takes time, hidden knowing, knowing consumers' rights, oral knowing, knowing involves more than handing over patient care and knowing the economics. Recommendations have been developed for future research, nursing practice, education and management. These centre on ways to develop a more consumer-focused approach to contemporary healthcare. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 883 |
Serial |
867 |
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| Author |
Wilson, H.V. |
| Title |
Surveillance or support: Divergent discourses in Plunket nursing practice |
Type |
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| Year |
2000 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Public health; Children; Community health nursing; Plunket |
| Abstract |
Plunket nurses are New Zealand child health nurses who work in the community with the families of new babies and preschool children. Their work is called child health surveillance and this is considered to involve routine and unproblematic practices which are generally carried out in homes and clinics in the context of a relationship with the child's mother (Ministry of Health 1996; Royal New Zealand Plunket Society 1997). However, evidence in the literature that surveillance can have implications for power relations throws doubts on official claims that the relationship between the mother and nurse operates as a partnership (Trout and Polaschek 1996). The purpose of this thesis was to explore the way in which surveillance is constituted within the discourses of Plunket nurses and to examine these discourses for any implications of unequal power relations. Foucauldian discourse theory and poststructuralism, which informed this thesis, provided the opportunity to challenge assumptions about power and knowledge in the child health context. Analysis of the discourses generated by interviews with five Plunket nurses revealed that, contrary to the claims in the official literature, the relationship between the Plunket nurse and the mother is not that of an equal partnership but is constituted in various and unexpected ways. It was through the nurses' discourses of surveillance that the power relations underpinning this relationship were surfaced. While these discourses suggested that many mothers who use the nursing service are actively involved on their own terms, there are a number of women for whom the surveillance activities of the nurse have been shown to be particularly intrusive (Mayall 1986; Clinton 1988; Bloor and McIntosh 1990; Knott and Latter 1999). It may be primarily this unwelcome surveillance which accounts for the considerable number of women who, the statistics show, cease using Plunket services particularly in the early months. It is perhaps for this reason that the nurses in this study locate themselves as being caught between divergent discourses of support and surveillance. Findings indicate that the resolution of this dilemma by abandoning surveillance practices might improve maternal satisfaction with the Plunket nursing service. The author concludes that a child health service responsive to mothers' stated needs rather than institutional requirements or the nurse's own agenda could lead to a more open and equal relationship between mother and nurse. This relationship would be likely to benefit mothers and babies and, at the same time, enhance both nursing practice and nurses' satisfaction with their work. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
899 |
| Permanent link to this record |
