Abstract: In this chapter the author uses storytelling to explore the legal and ethical issues she experiences as a rural volunteer registered nurse. She describes the relationship between the nurse and community embodied in areas such as the public perception of nurses, and discusses aspects of her practice in the light of the particular legal and ethical context of rural areas.

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 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.

Abstract: This paper summarises research which addresses the question What might constitute Maori nursing practice? The research design adopted was influenced by kaupapa Maori methodology and used a semi-structured, qualitative, in-depth interview process. It was found that by understanding the current experiences of Maori registered nurses, their reflections on their preparation for practice, and their current practice, it is possible to identify the present and future training and practice needs of Maori nurses. Maori nursing practice can be characterised as having five features: the promotion of cultural affirmation including cultural awareness and identity; the support of, and access to Maori networks; the adoption of Maori models of health; the enabling of visibility and pro-activity as Maori nurses; and, the validation of Maori nurses as effective health professionals. Three recommendations for promoting Maori nursing practice are made in relation to staff in the workplace and in nurse education programmes: all nursing staff need to be alert to: 1. the impact of western scientific models on Maori healthcare; 2. the (often passive) non-acceptance of Maori within mainstream institutions; and iii) the benefits of valuing indigenous nursing programmes.

Abstract: The introduction of nurse practitioner registration into New Zealand in 2001 was heralded as a move that would open up a wealth of opportunities for registered nurses to extend their practice into more independent roles and to provide a client-centred health service. It was also seen as a way to retain experienced registered nurses in the clinical practice area by providing a credible clinical career pathway. If nurse practitioner's are to meet these expectations, then, the author suggests, it is important to understand the processes that encourage or discourage nurses from advancing their practice. One of the early scopes of practice to be introduced was nurse practitioner with an endorsement in aged care scope of practice. Grounded theory was the method used to generate an explanation of how registered nurses working in aged care were preparing for the introduction of nurse practitioner roles. An analysis of early data highlighted codes around registered nurses in aged care extending and advancing their practice rather than preparing specifically for the nurse practitioner role. The research question for this study was: 'How are registered nurses in aged care advancing their nursing practice?' Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from ten experienced registered nurses working in aged care clinical practice settings ranging from secondary hospital facilities, to community settings and residential care villages. Dimensional analysis of the data eventually generated three major conceptual categories: 'ownership of nursing', 'extending practice', and 'moving out of a comfort zone'. Of these, 'ownership of nursing' was identified as the core construct that linked the other categories together. The substantive theory that explains how registered nurses in aged care advance their clinical practice is 'developing autonomous ownership'. Nurses who develop autonomous ownership of nursing are more likely than other nurses to move out of a current comfort zone and advance their practice into more independent roles that suit their autonomous ownership of nursing. This study identified important contextual factors and conditions that support the development of an autonomous ownership of nursing and that subsequently facilitate advancing nursing practice. These include creating supportive environments, organisational commitment to advanced nursing practice roles, visible nursing leadership, congruence between organisational and nursing philosophies, interdisciplinary collaboration and participating in postgraduate education. The author suggests that the significance of this study is that it generated a theory about the processes that encourage or discourage nurses from preparing for, and progressing into, advanced nursing practice roles such as nurse practitioner.

Abstract: This paper reports a study that examined the factors that assisted or hindered the transition of a group of enrolled nurses to registration/degree programmes, via a flexible course developed by a North Island tertiary institution. The study follows ten enrolled nurses, primarily Maori and working in rural settings, as they continued to work while studying at a small satellite campus. The study was exploratory and descriptive, and utilised focus group interviews. Two major categories emerged from comparative analysis of the data. One category entitled 'relearning how to learn', demonstrated the cognitive and behavioural adaptations made and is the focus of this paper. The other category 'barriers and catapults', demonstrated the physical and environmental factors that influenced the students' transition but is outside the scope of this paper. Recent changes in New Zealand nursing education have witnessed the clarification of scopes of nursing practice and the controversial development of a new Certificate in Health Science (Nurse Assistant). Currently enrolled nurses are again facing threats to employment and it is envisaged that many will be seeking to undertake transition to registered nurse in the near future.