Kennedy, W. L. (2008). How do Registered Nurses utilise self assessment and performance appraisal to inform their professional practice? Master's thesis, Eastern Institute of Technology, Taradale.
Abstract: Describes an exploratory study of Registered Nurses (RNs) within a local District Health Board which pursued the question of 'if' and 'how' professional practice frameworks assisted nurses in their individual professional practice, specifically self-assessment and performance appraisal. Utilises a qualitative descriptive framework to explore the experiences of RNs in inpatient settings, via questionnaire. Identifies 8 themes related to self-assessment, performance appraisal, and professional practice.
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Fitzgerald, S., Tripp, H., & Halksworth-Smith, G. (2017). Assessment and management of acute pain in older people: barriers and facilitators to nursing practice. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 35(1).
Abstract: Examines the pain management practices of nurses, and identifies barriers and facilitators to the assessment and management of pain for older people, within the acute hospital setting.
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Harvey, G. (2022). 'Thank you for telling our story...': An exploration of the needs of migrant nurses undergoing competence assessment for New Zealand registration. Master's thesis, Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin.
Abstract: Seeks to give voice to migrant nurses, using case-study methodology to highlight their experience of the competence assessment process. Distributes a questionnaire to a group of 22 newly-arrived IQNs, and conducts interviews with 10 IQNs who had been working in NZ for several years. Uncovers the motivations among the first group and reflections on the Competence Assessment Programme (CAP) among the second. Makes recommendations for CAP training based on the results of the study.
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Ward, V. C. (2013). Preoperative fluid management of the older adult patient with hip fracture. Master's thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, NZ.
Abstract: Explores the relationships between pre-operative fluid management (PFM) and post-operative outcomes. Undertakes an observational study of 100 consecutive older adult patients admitted to a tertiary NZ hospital with traumatic hip fracture between March and Sept 2012. Gathers data regarding cohort demographics and in-hospital events, including surgical details, alongside PFM and post-operative outcomes. Itemises characteristics of the patients, predominantly female with a mean age of 85.2 years. Finds no statistically significant relationship between pre-operative fluid management and post-operative outcomes.
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Richardson, S., Ardagh, M., & Hider, P. (2006). New Zealand health professionals do not agree about what defines appropriate attendance at an emergency department. Access is free to articles older than 6 months, and abstracts., 119(1232).
Abstract: This study aims to examine the concept of 'inappropriate' emergency department attendances in relation to the emergency department at Christchurch Hospital. It specifically seeks to determine whether there is a consensus opinion among healthcare providers regarding a definition of 'inappropriate'. An exploratory survey of health professionals involved with the referral, assessment, transport, and treatment of emergency department patients in Christchurch was carried out. A range of health professionals, including ambulance personnel, general practitioners, emergency department physicians, emergency nurses, and hospital managers were approached. A series of questions relating to definition and response to 'inappropriate' patients was asked, with an additional open-ended question relating to the definition of 'appropriateness'. The researchers found significant differences in the attitudes and perceptions of key health professionals involved in the referral, treatment, and admission of patients to the emergency department. This has implications for any interventions aimed at addressing emergency department 'overcrowding' that assume the presence of a consensus understanding of this concept.
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Ardagh, M., Wells, E., Cooper, K., Lyons, R., Patterson, R., & O'Donovan, P. (2002). Effect of a rapid assessment clinic on the waiting time to be seen by a doctor and the time spent in the department, for patients presenting to an urban emergency department: A controlled prospective trial. Access is free to articles older than 6 months, and abstracts., 115(1157).
Abstract: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that triaging certain emergency department patients through a rapid assessment clinic (RAC) improves the waiting times, and times in the department, for all patients presenting to the emergency department. For ten weeks an additional nurse and doctor were rostered. On the odd weeks, these two staff ran a RAC and on even weeks, they did not, but simply joined the other medical and nursing staff, managing patients in the traditional way. During the five weeks of the RAC clinic a total of 2263 patients attended the emergency department, and 361 of these were referred to the RAC clinic. During the five control weeks a total of 2204 patients attended the emergency department. There was no significant difference in the distribution across triage categories between the RAC and non-RAC periods. The researchers found that the rapid management of patients with problems which do not require prolonged assessment or decision making, is beneficial not only to those patients, but also to other patients sharing the same, limited resources.
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Fraser, A. G., Williamson, S., Lane, M., & Hollis, B. (2003). Nurse-led dyspepsia clinic using the urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori. Access is free to articles older than 6 months, and abstracts., 116(1176).
Abstract: Reports the audit of a nurse-led dyspepsia clinic at Auckland Hospital. Referrals to the Gastroenterology Department for gastroscopy were assessed in a dyspepsia clinic. Initial evaluation included consultation and a urea breath test (UBT). Patients given eradication treatment prior to initial clinic assessment were excluded. Patients with a positive UBT were given eradication treatment and were reviewed two months later for symptom assessment and follow-up UBT. Patients with a negative UBT were usually referred back to the GP. There were 173 patients with a mean age 38 years. The urea breath test was found to be useful as part of the initial assessment of selected patients who would otherwise have been referred for endoscopy. It is likely that the need for gastroscopy was reduced, but longer follow up will be required to determine whether or not this effect is simply due to delayed referral. This approach is likely to have value only in patients who have a relatively high chance of being H. pylori positive.
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Neville, S. J., Gillon, D., & Milligan, K. (2006). New Zealand registered nurses' use of physical assessment skills: A pilot study. Vision: A Journal of Nursing, (14(1)).
Abstract: The objective of this project was to ascertain registered nurses' use of selected physical assessment skills before and after participation in a health assessment course. A pre- (also referred to as part I) and post- (part II) test design was used to investigate the research aim. Participants were obtained via a convenience sample. A questionnaire was completed at the beginning of the educational programme and then four to six weeks after completion of the assessment course. A two tailed t-test was used to identify any significant differences in the characteristics of participants from part I (N = 206) to part II (N = 145), with no differences identified. However, there was an overall mean percentage difference of 17.1% in the use of physical assessment skills after having completed the educational programme. In conclusion, the researchers found that four to six weeks after completion of a health assessment course, nurses were using the skills learned to improve their nursing practice more frequently than before the programme.
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Whittle, R. (2007). Decisions, decisions: Factors that influence student selection of final year clinical placements. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Clinical practice is an essential and integral component of nursing education. The decision-making process involved in student selection of clinical placements is influenced by a range of factors which are internal or external to students. As there was little research that explored these factors and the influence they have on student decisions, the author sought to investigate this further. A mixed-method approach was used, using a questionnaire and focus group interview, to give breadth and depth to the research. This study found that students are particularly influenced by previous positive experiences, or an interest in a particular area of practice. Their personality will also influence their placement decisions. Nurse preceptors and clinical lecturers also provide a key support role to students in the clinical environment.
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Kussmaul, J. (2020). An investigation of occupational health and safety workplaces and working conditions in comparison to nursing care quality in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in New Zealand. Doctoral thesis, University of Auckland, Auckland.
Abstract: Identifies critical factors related to the occupational health and safety of workplaces and working conditions in residential aged-care facilities (RACF), from the perspective of nursing staff. Correlates quality indicators for occupational health and safety for workplaces and in working conditions with nursing care quality based on the InterRAI Clinical Assessment Protocols (CAP). Uses a mixed-method approach to conduct an audit of workplace health and safety and environmental conditions in 17 RACFs. Surveys 398 registered nurses (RN), enrolled nurses (EN), and Healthcare Assistants (HCA) about the mental and physical stressors in their work.
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Nakarada-Kordic, I. (2016). Assessing mental models in multidisciplinary operating room teams. Ph.D. thesis, University of Auckland, .
Abstract: Aims to develop a new empirical method for assessing the similarity of mental models in surgery, focusing on laparotomy; to begin the process of validation of the new approach; and to demonstrate how the new approach could be used in clinical practice. Develops a software application (Momento) to sort key tasks in order to capture the information on mental models regarding task sequence and responsibility. Asks 20 6-person operating room (OR) teams, each comprising 3 sub-teams consisting of anaesthesia, surgery and nursing, to complete Momento prior to 2 simulated emergency laparotomies. Suggests the Momento approach could be used to improve teamwork in OR.
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Yip, J. C. Y. (2014). Development of a brief heart healthy eating assessment tool for use by practice nurses in New Zealand. Master's thesis, University of Otago, .
Abstract: Aims to determine how a brief dietary assessment tool should be designed for use by practice nurses in New Zealand with the intention of providing individualised nutrition advice to reduce individuals' risk of cardiovascular disease (heart healthy eating counselling). Recruits 11 practice nurses from the Auckland region for interview and analyses data from the 2008/2009 NZ adult nutrition survey. Uses an action research approach as the underlying strategy of inquiry for the study.
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Sharma, M. (2020). An exploration of the experiences of registered nurses working in aged residential care facilities regarding interRAI: A qualitative research design. Master's thesis, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Abstract: Assesses the experiences of registered nurses (RNs)working in aged residential care facilities in Christchurch, in performing interRAI assessments using interRAI MOMENTUM software. Explores the positive and negative aspects of their experiences and the factors affecting performance of interRAI-based comprehensive health assessments. Identifies the aids and barriers faced by RNs in applying and using interRAI. Conducts focus-group interviews with 7 RNs. Highlights the need for a unified standard assessment system.
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Quiding, J. (2021). Improving assessment inter-rater reliability of a nursing ePortfolio: An Integrative Review. Master's thesis, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland.
Abstract: Analyses 13 articles using an integrative review methodology framework and thematic analysis to support the data analysis process, seeking to clarify the inter-rater reliability of nursing ePortfolio assessment. Identifies two themes emerging from the data: the subjective nature of the assessor, and external factors due to the nature of nursing portfolio requirements. Considers how to minimise assessment variability due to subjective factors.
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Hinvest, K. (2020). The meaning of nurses' caring for clinically-deteriorating patients. Master's thesis, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland.
Abstract: Reveals and explores the stories of ten Registered Nurses working in Acute Assessment Units caring for clinically-deteriorating patients. Uses the perspectives of hermeneutic phenomenology to explore the meaning of nurses caring for such patients. Conducts semi-structured interviews with the RNs identifying three main themes.
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