Abstract: The transition from student to registered nurse is a challenging and often stressful time in a nurse's career. This thesis is a case study research project that explores the graduate nurses' perceptions of preceptorship as a strategy to support this transition at Lakes District Health Board (DHB). As a provider of graduate nurse programmes since 1995, Lakes DHB has provided preceptorship for the nurse in the initial period of clinical practice. Annual evaluation by questionnaire identified that this has been applied in a range of ways in different clinical settings with varying degrees of effectiveness. Further inquiry into graduate nurses' perceptions of the preceptored experience during the first twelve weeks of practice within Lakes DHB forms the basis of this research project. The intention is to utilise this insight to further inform the development of preceptor education programmes and application of the preceptor role in the practice setting. Using the case study research method, data has been collected from fourteen participants using semi-structured interviews, focus groups and secondary data from the previous year's questionnaire undertaken by preceptors and graduate nurses. Thematic analysis of the data has resulted in two categories, each with three associated themes. The first category relates to functional factors in the way the preceptorship role is applied. This explores the role of the Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE), organisation within the unit and the teaching of clinical skills. The second category relates to psychosocial considerations and includes the graduate's sense of being scared and advocacy of the preceptor, socialisation and team support, and the preceptor's own experience as a registered nurse. Recommendations from the research include the allocation of a dedicated preceptor selected with consideration for relational ability; complementary rostering and workload allocation to ensure that the preceptor and graduate nurse work together; early notification when preceptor arrangements break down; implementation of a clinical coaching plan; and strengthening the CNE's role as a leader facilitating and supporting preceptorship in the units. Opportunities for further research that arise from the study include the perceptions of the preceptors and the nursing leadership in clinical areas. Structuring the application of preceptorship, to ensure that all of these aspects are woven throughout the graduate nurse's transition results in Korowai Aroha, a cloak of covering for a supported transition that facilitates the development of practice.

Abstract: Drawn from a larger study, this article reports the experiences of a group of male nurses regarding the use of intimate physical touch. Using discourse analysis, interview data from 18 male nurses were analysed and related to existing text on men as nurses. The analysis reveals that although touch is important in nursing care, it is problematic for men because discourses have normalised women's use of touch as a caring behaviour and have sexualised men's touch. Participants described their vulnerability, how they protected themselves from risk, and the resulting stress. The complicity of nurses in sexualising men's touch and the neglect of educators in preparing men for providing intimate care are revealed. A paradox emerged whereby the very measures employed to protect both patients and men as nurses exacerbate the perceived risk posed by men carrying out intimate care. The authors suggest that deconstructing and reframing prevailing discourses around nursing, gender, and caring involving touch can help to legitimise men's involvement in physical caring.

Abstract: Chronic stress and 'burnout' have been extensively researched in nursing populations, but very little is known about the impact of specific acutely stressful or significant events. A novice nurse's first encounter with patient death may pose considerable cognitive, emotional and clinical challenges. Using a mixed methods design, this study explored the clinical circumstances, impact and challenges and rewards of nurses' early experiences with patient death.

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.

Abstract: This research is about preceptorship in nursing. There is considerable emphasis placed on health care organisations to support newly appointed graduate nurses, and preceptorship is a recommended model. Despite this emphasis, the author suggests that little is known about how preceptorship partnerships work in practice. The primary focus of this exploratory descriptive qualitative study was to explore the perspectives that preceptors and preceptees, who had worked in partnership, had about how they established and sustained their respective roles. Three sets of registered nurses who had recently completed a preceptorship experience were interviewed about their partnership. Content and thematic analysis of this descriptive data revealed four main themes. The preceptorship relationship grows out of respect for each another and develops as a result of honest and open communication. Preceptees who have an initial positive experience into their new work area settle quickly and efficiently into their new role. Preceptees appreciate preceptors who are welcoming, supportive and willing to undertake the role, while preceptors are happy to undertake the role if the graduate displays an interest in learning and are willing to be guided. The preceptee learns what it means to be a registered nurse in the particular working context, while the preceptor learns how to support learning processes and evidence-based practices. The author goes on to say that further exploration and investigation of these themes and of the relationships that evolve during preceptorship partnerships is needed. By understanding these findings, organisations can prepare both the preceptor and preceptee as they begin to undertake their role to ensure future partnerships will be successful.

Abstract: Nurse migration flows in and out of New Zealand are examined to determine impacts and regional contexts. A descriptive statistics method was used to analyse secondary data on nurses added to the register, New Zealand nurse qualifications verified by overseas authorities, nursing workforce data, and census data. It found that international movement of nurses was minimal during the 1990s, but from 2001 a sharp jump in the verification of locally registered nurses by overseas authorities coincided with an equivalent increase in international registered nurses added to the local nursing register. This pattern has been sustained to the present. Movement of local registered nurses to Australia is expedited by the Trans-Tasman Agreement, whereas entry of international registered nurses to New Zealand is facilitated by nursing being an identified “priority occupation”. The author concludes that future research needs to consider health system and nurse workforce contexts and take a regional perspective on migration patterns.

Abstract: This article presents the findings of an interpretive study that explored and documented the meaning and impact of nurse participation in performance appraisal interviews. Data gleaned from nine New Zealand registered nurses employed by a single district health board provide evidence that nurses are often disappointed by the process of performance appraisal. Although they believe in the potential value of performance appraisal interviews, they seldom experience the feedback, direction, and encouragement necessary for an effective appraisal process. It is suggested that changes to the current professional development program and its accompanying performance appraisal will require skilled commitment on the part of nurses, managers, and the employing organisation to improve and develop the assessment and promotion of nursing practice.