| Records |
| Author |
Wilson, H.V. |
| Title |
Surveillance or support: Divergent discourses in Plunket nursing practice |
Type |
|
Year  |
2000 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
Victoria University of Wellington Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
|
| 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 |
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| Author |
Hinder, G. |
| Title |
Challenging the boundaries: An initiative to extend public health nursing practice |
Type |
|
| Year |
2000 |
Publication |
|
Abbreviated Journal |
Massey University, Palmerston North, Library |
| Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
|
| Keywords |
Public health; Scope of practice; Nursing |
| Abstract |
|
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ |
Serial |
1264 |
| Permanent link to this record |
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| |
| Author |
Gallaher, L. |
| Title |
Expert public health nursing practice: A complex tapestry |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
| Volume |
14 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
16-27 |
| Keywords |
Public health; Community health nursing; Communication |
| Abstract |
The research outlined in this paper used Heideggerian phenomenology to examine the phenomenon of expert public health nursing practice within a New Zealand community health setting. Narrative interviews were conducted with eight identified expert practitioners who are currently practising in this speciality area. Data analysis led to the identification and description of themes which were supported by paradigm cases and exemplars. Four key themes were identified which describe the finely tuned recognition and assessment skills demonstrated by these nurses; their ability to form, sustain and close relationships with clients over time; the skilful coaching undertaken with clients; and the way in which they coped with the dark side of their work with integrity and courage. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 656 |
Serial |
642 |
| Permanent link to this record |
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| |
| Author |
Russell, D. |
| Title |
Changing public health nursing practice |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand |
Abbreviated Journal |
|
| Volume |
5 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
18-19 |
| Keywords |
Public health; Community health nursing; Nursing models; Teamwork |
| Abstract |
A new approach to public health nursing in the Otago region is described, which comprises of 3 distinct groups of nurses working in early childhood centres, primary schools and high schools. A family nursing assessment approach is used. The philosophical underpinnings of this approach are examined, which seeks to empower patients and engage them in their health care. Two public health nurses are interviewed about the new partnership model of nursing. |
| Call Number |
NRSNZNO @ research @ 1041 |
Serial |
1025 |
| Permanent link to this record |
