Abstract: The suitability of human breast milk for the nurturing and development of the human species is proven over hundreds of thousands of years. Human milk is without peer in containing all the nutrients required for the growth and development of the human infant.Over and above the nutrient factors, human milk has significant immunological, anti-infective, and anti-allergy properties that should be foremost in deliberations of neonatal nurses and doctors, before one considers calorie counts and weight gain. Lucas and Cole ( 1990) have shown the terrible consequences of using formula in preterm babies over those fed only human milk, The NZ Cot Death Studies' first year results have shown the significance of breast feeding in reducing the incidence of cot death., giving an oblique reference to the effects of neonatal staff attitude on mothers milk of at risk babies.A ready supply of human breast milk used to be available to neonatal staff from the milk bank. All but a very few of these banks were closed down all over the world due to AIDS phobia rather than by any scientific fact. Sufficient time has gone by for science and nationality to govern the use of human breast milk, and a case is made for the reopening of the Milk Banks

Abstract: An invited paper for the initial issue of the IJHI. Adapted from a paper presented at the annual conference of Nursing Informatics New Zealand, 1991 (subsequently incorporated into the collective organisation, Health Informatics, NZ.

Abstract: A description of the interaction between Public Health Nurses and stressed families that include children. It includes the perspective on the relationship of both the Nurses and the families ending with a classification of the goals of the service

Abstract: This study identifies, describes and generates a theoretical explanation of what it means to be a Nurse educator in New Zealand in the 1990's. It explores individual experiences within the broader social context. Sixteen participants from three Schools of Nursing in New Zealand were interviewed over a four month period. Constant comparative analysis of data eventuated in the identification of four conceptual categories named as : being a teacher, settling down, finding a place and coping with change. They were then drawn into the core category – Being – in- Becoming. Being – in- Becoming, means in this study, that a person is the Nurse teacher simply because that person has taken on the work of a teacher. In being a teacher, the person is adapting, changing and learning how to become a teacher. Being – in- Becoming, is a process which is on going, never ending, and constantly changing. The essence of this study is that the teacher's experience of Being – in- Becoming. is influenced by personal development and the way the person comes to 'know' about the world of Nursing education who is also intimately connected to the way Nursing curriculum is defined and experienced by individual teachers. These findings have implications for Nursing education , in recognition of teacher's concerns, background meanings and problems which influence a person's experience of being a Nurse educator. Expectations that feelings should be 'managed' therefore ignored is consistent in a group which claims caring as the essence of Nursing practice. Excessive workloads are constantly cited as a major problem for worker. The organisation has the responsibility to acknowledge the human experience of those who work within this area and to undertake to respond in ways which can improve the situation for all

Abstract: During 1992, two hundred Registered Nurses ( RN's) participated in the Pilot Implementation of the Clinical Career Pathway for Nurses. This was conducted according to terms for the Proposal (Shepherd et al 1991) prepared by Nurses throughout the Canterbury Area Health Board.Ten services had a participating ward/ unit. All were volunteers. The framework for a Clinical Career Pathway (CAHB) has six steps. During 1992 attention was focused on the two levels beyond basic functional competency. Nurse Practitioner II, Nurse Specialist. An open system was piloted. There was no change to remuneration. Advancement was- self initiated; by peer review ( the RN was required to meet the performance criteria set by the Unit Nurse Managers.) There was no constraint to numbers advancing. Forty seven RN's advanced to Nurse practitioner II level,nine advanced to Nurse Specialist level.Evaluation covered four areas-1. Qualitative benefits and initiatives to improves patient care. 2. Nurses perception of the project. 3. Benefits of peer review. 4. Secondary gains