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Gardner, A., Hase, S., Gardner, G., Dunn, S., & Carryer, J. B. (2008). From competence to capability: A study of nurse practitioners in clinical practice. Author copy available 12 months after publication from QUT ePrints, 17(2), 250–258.
Abstract: This research aimed to understand the level and scope of practice of the nurse practitioner in Australia and New Zealand further using a capability framework. The original study, from which the present paper was developed, sought to identify competency standards for the extended role of the nurse practitioner in Australia and New Zealand. In doing so the researchers became aware that while competencies described many of the characteristics of the nurse practitioner they did not manage to tell the whole story. In a search of the literature, the concept of capability appeared to provide a potentially useful construct to describe the attributes of the nurse practitioner that went beyond competence. A secondary analysis of data obtained from the interviews with 15 nurse practitioners working in Australia and New Zealand was undertaken. The analysis showed that capability and its dimensions is a useful model for describing the advanced level attributes of nurse practitioners. Thus, nurse practitioners described elements of their practice that involved: using their competences in novel and complex situations as well as the familiar; being creative and innovative; knowing how to learn; having a high level of self-efficacy; and working well in teams. This study suggests dimensions of capability need to be considered in the education and evaluation of nurse practitioners.
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Gardner, G., Dunn, S., Carryer, J. B., & Gardner, A. (2006). Competency and capability: Imperative for nurse practitioner education. The author-version of article, available online from Queensland University of Technology ePrints arc, 24(1), 8–14.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to conduct research to inform the development of standards for nurse practitioner education in Australia and New Zealand and to contribute to the international debate on nurse practitioner practice. The research was conducted in all states of Australia where the nurse practitioner is authorised, and in New Zealand. The research was informed by multiple data sources including nurse practitioner programme curricula documents from relevant universities in Australia and New Zealand, interviews with academic convenors of these programmes and interviews with nurse practitioners. Findings include support for masters level of education as preparation for the nurse practitioner. These programs need to have a strong clinical learning component and in-depth education for the sciences of specialty practice. Additionally an important aspect of education for the nurse practitioner is the centrality of student directed and flexible learning models. This approach is well supported by the literature on capability.
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Isles, P. (1999). What difference does academic study make to the practice of RGN's or RGON's? – a longitudinal study in progress 1999. Ph.D. thesis, , .
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Davy, R. (1999). Evaluation of the impact on the quality of women who have participated in a nursing education session on menopause. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Objective; The objective of this study is to determine if attending a nursing education session on menopause has an impact on women's management of their menopausal symptoms and consequently their quality of life for women aged 40 to 60 years. The hypothesis is that women attending education sessions will start or increase health promotion activities which will reduce menopausal symptoms and thus improve their quality of life.Design and method; Two questionaires were given to the women on the day of the education sessions and another questionnaire was sent to the participant three months later. The sample of 30 completed questionnaires includes feedback from Pacific Island women. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The measure of quality of life has been based on the level of impact of menopausal on each women's life before the education session and three months later.Results; Initial analysis indicates that diet, exercise and time out were most commonly reported health activities utilized for relief of symptoms with HRT and herbal remedies used less often. Three months after the education session there was a significant reduction in the impact of symptoms in most categories with 140 incidences of total disappearance of symptoms, 24 incidences of reduction of symptoms, 17 incidences of symptoms increasing while 36 symptoms remained unchanged. Only one woman reported that she continued to have no control over her symptoms while the rest of the sample indicated that they had some or total control. The most common changes in health promotion activities were reduction in caffeine, exercise, relaxation and lubrication with sex. Herbal, homeopathy, dietary and hormone treatment rated low in health activities after the three months.Conclusion; Initial analysis indicates that menopausal symptoms has significantly improved for the majority of women who attended the nursing education session
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Cowan, L. M. (1999). Alcohol and drug treatment for women: clinicians beliefs and practice. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate whether clinicians consider women have different needs to men. To identify what specific treatment clinicians provided for women with alcohol and drug problems and ascertain whether various clinician variable, are elated to differences in beliefs and treatment provision.The questionnaire items for this study were included in the National Centre for Treatment Development (Alcohol, Drug & Addiction) New Zealand wide telephone survey of alcohol and drug clinicians. Independent interviewers surveyed 217 clinicians. Clinicians were first asked whether they believed women with alcohol and drug problems have differing treatment needs to men. Clinicians responses were compared with various clinician Socio-demographic characteristics (gender, age, ethnicity, professional group, years working in the alcohol and drug treatment field, work setting, qualifications/courses attended, location, and personal alcohol use).Key findings are that almost a quarter (24%) of the clinicians surveyed did not believe that women have different treatment needs to men. However the majority (76%) of clinicians do believe that women have different treatment needs to men. Furthermore findings from this study suggest that significant differences exist in relation to clinicians' practice in new Zealand in relation to clinician, gender, work setting (Crown Health Enterprise, outpatient and residential), and gender mix of caseload
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Sherrard, I. M. (1998). Death of a colleague in the workplace. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Questionnaires were completed by participants who had had a colleague die. Participants reported that some were still having difficulty with the loss of a work collogue. Participants wanted managers to provide both managerial and emotional support during their time of grieving
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Sherrard, I. M. (1998). Chronic illness: a challenge to manage in the workplace. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Questionnaires were completed in the work place. The participants had all experienced a chronic illness. The results revealed that the manager has the responsibility to deal openly with the staff member who is ill, and for some managers this is difficult to do
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O'Brien, A. J. (1998). Negotiating the relationship: mental health nurses' perception of their practice. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This exploratory descriptive study used focus groups to investigate experienced mental health nurses' perceptions of expertise in relation to their practice. Two focus group discussions were conducted, one compiling 4 nurses working in in-patient care, and the other with 5 nurses working in community care. The nurse-patient relationship was the central theme for both groups. Three sub-themes were identified and are discussed. They are: involvement, individualising care & minimising visibility. The significance of these themes for the articulation of mental health nursing practice is discussed
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Watson, P. B. (1997). Evaluation of a self management plan for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Vol. 10). Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: We hypothesized that the use of an Action Plan might assist self management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).A pilot process and randomized, controlled study were undertaken to evaluate an action plan that provided advice on management of usual care and exacerbations, together with a booklet on self management. Fifty six subjects with COPD recruited through general practitioners (GPs) completed the six month study, 27 in the control group and 29 in the intervention group. The control group received usual care from their GP and the intervention group received a booklet and Action Plan from their practice nurse plus a supply of prednisone and antibiotic from their GP.The two groups were demographically similar with a mean age of 68 yrs. The resources were well received by GPs, practice nurses and the intervention group subjects. After six months there were no differences in quality of life scores or pulmonary function. There were significant changes in self management behaviour in the intervention group compared to controls. In response to seterioting symptoms, 34 versus7% (p= 0.014) initiated prednisone treatment and 44 versus 7 % (p=0.002 initiated antibiotics.Subjects in the intervention group readily adopted self management skills but did not shpw any difference in quality of life or lung function parameters. A larger prospective controlled clinical trial of this approach is warranted
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Day, D. R. (1997). The recognition of prior learning: a case study of an undergraduate nursing degree programme. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: A case study which examines the implementation of RPL, in an undergraduate nursing programme. Themes developed about the areas of a shift in ownership and control of nursing education to learner. The need to develop assessment processes that are more consistant with a non technical view was identified. Curricula need to be examined to allow RPL to be included
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Giles, A. L. (1997). This voice is forever: one woman's experience following total laryngectomy (Vol. 14). Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This phenomenological research project focused on one womans experience following total removal of her larynx and aimed to faithfully capture the essential structure of the phenomenon of voice as it emerged for her. For women in particular gaining a new artifical voice following surgery that is considerably lower sounding, plus the large visible opening in the lower neck is psychologically challenging and can be socially isolating. Most literature relating to laryngectomy and rehabilitation comprises quantitative research with limited attention to womens issues. This could be attributed to the small number of women undergoing this surgery. A review of nursing literature revealed minimal research, with none referring specifically to women. Nor were any studies using entirely qualitative methods identified.This research project used a phenomenological approach informed by the work of Michael Crotty, described as within the parameters of mainstream phenomenology. Based on a traditional common core foundation which is critical, holistic and individualistic, mainstream phenomenology requires achieving co-researchership between researcher and participant while exploring phenomena as objects of authentic human experience.The study began with discussing Crottys stepwise method emphasising the activity of bracketing. The co-researcher was then left to ponder or meditate on her experience following bracketing all her prior understandings and ideas, as if this was the first time she had encountered the phenomenon. Three conversations followed which allowed exploration of the co-researchers written statements. The seven interwoven dimensions that emerged represented the essential structure, meaning and essence of 'what voice is for this woman following total laryngectomy
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Litchfield, M. (1997). The language of nursing practice in hospitals. (Vol. Proceedings of the National Nursing Informatics Co).
Abstract: A paper presenting the findings of a small research project involving a group of self-selected senior nurses of Wellington Hospital to explore the nature of nursing practice in the care and management of hospitalised patients and to formalise the language that would acknowledge its significance in the current effort of hospitals to define patient care pathways. The nature of hospital nursing practice was described in themes of a generic process of nurse-patient care that articulates a distinct specialism of hospital nursing, whatever the hospital department in which nurses hold positions.
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Walker, J. (1996). Co-operative learning: an effective teaching method for tertiary education? Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Tertiary education aims to develop specialist knowledge and the graduates' ability toapply the knowledge and skills to function effectively in their chosen career or work.Employers have criticised tertiary education when graduates cannot workco-operatively or independently in the work setting and teachers look for alternativesto lecturing to help develop these abilities. Cooperative learning (CL) is one suchmethod and this paper reports on a literature review and pilot study which exploredthe use of CL in a tertiary setting. The study was guided by three questions: 1) Whatarea the teacher's conceptions of effective learning and teaching? 2) How are theyusing CL and what is their role? 3) How are they assessing CL classes?Data was collected through in-depth interviews, using semi-structured questions,with three female and one male teacher from different disciplines in an urbanpolytechnic. Responses to each question were analysed thematically for recurringcodes and these were grouped into categories. Effective teaching was seen aswhere teachers facilitated the learning process by selecting appropriate teachingmethods, fostering classroom climate and monitoring learning. Effective learning waswhere students were actively engaged in the learning process and demonstratedtheir understanding and application of knowledge and skills. CL was used in avariety of ways and their role was to use strategies to foster the learning processand monitor learning. Assessment involved both individual and group presentations.Issues related to cooperative learning are discussed and recommendations forteaching made
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Walker, J. (1995). Learning physical assessment skills. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Nursing students have only recently learnt in-depth physical assessment skills within degree programmes in New Zealand. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of learning physical assessment skills for the first time from the student's experience. In exploring this experience it was hoped to uncover some of the factors, beneficial or not, which influence their learning process. Data was collected by two methods. Firstly through two non-participant observations of a class of sixteen pre-registration male and female nursing students at an urban tertiary institute. Secondly through taped in-depth interviews with a female and a male student, from the group, individually and then together. The data was analysed using coding categories suggested by Bogdan and Biklen (1992) and emerging themes related to the process of learning new knowledge and skills. The four themes identified were: students working at learning, tutors facilitating learning, students facilitating learning and learning in clinical practice
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Peddie, B. (1995). Whooping cough in the Northern Coromandel -1995 (Vol. 4). Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Data gathered during a whooping cough outbreak in the Northern Coromandel in 1995 highlights some distinct characteristics about how the disease manifestests itself in a defined geographical area, and about the place of prophylactic Erythromycin. This was probably the most fully documented outbreak in New Zealand, and possibly the first study conducted from a community perspective
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