Abstract: This article explores the impact a chronic illness has on an adolescent patient, their family, and social, work, cultural and spiritual aspects of their life. The discussion will focus on the patient's healthcare experience and the nursing strategies undertaken to help maintain her optimum health. The personal information used in this article was gathered from an interview with the patient during a second-year undergraduate nursing student clinical learning experience.

Abstract: This research aims to design and test the feasibility of an intervention promoting smoking cessation, and reducing smoking relapse, among Māori nurses who smoke. It is being conducted in two phases. Phase one, a national web-based survey, conducted in December 2012, explored the views of Māori nurses (smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers) regarding smoking. This paper reports on the analysis of qualitative responses from 410 nurses and nursing students identifying as Māori who completed an online survey. Five themes were identified: beliefs about smoking; ?for our tamariki?; personal stories of quitting; dissatisfaction with current approaches; and plans for future strategies. The findings confirm that nurses who smoke may experience feelings of conflict, and regard their behaviour as inconsistent with their role as nurses and health promoters. Nurses who smoke must be supported to become, and to stay, smokefree. Tailored Māori-specific cessation initiatives are needed.

Abstract: There is a considerable body of literature discussing the stressors experienced by nurses and other health professionals when caring for those who are terminally ill and dying. Also, a number of articles offer suggestions, including the views of staff, as to what type of professional and organisational support is required when working in this often demanding specialty. There are, however, very few reports of assessment of the effectiveness of such supportive interventions and in particular, the impact of such support on the quality of patient care. This literature review examines any reported relationships between the quality of nursing provided by palliative care nurses and the staff support received by those nurses.

Abstract: Baker et al., (2008) showed diminished rates of survival in the CPR-first group. Based largely on the evidence of the two Australian RCTs, the 2010 ILCOR guidelines removed the recommendation for CPR first, stating that 'there is inconsistent evidence to support or refute a delay in defibrillation to provide a period (90 s to 3 min) of CPR for patients in VF/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) cardiac arrest' (ILCOR, 2010, p. e6).\n For this reason, and due to the increased chance of accidental defibrillation, it is the recommendation of the author that it only be used by health professionals who are able practise on a regular basis.

Abstract: As nurses and students we all have our own 'its', which get out of perspective and cause us anxiety. By sharing this blog with you, I hope I help you with your 'it'. When all else fails try blogging about your 'it', and use reflection as a tool to grow yourself, instigate change and promote yourself as the evidence-based, caring nurse that you are.

Abstract: The aim of this research was to ascertain the opinions of ward nurses (registered and enrolled nurses) on a critical care outreach (CCO) service and the early warning score (EWS) tool and how CCO helps them care for ward patients whose condition is deteriorating. An 18-item Likert scale questionnaire was adapted to gain opinions on three aspects of the service: The usability of the EWS tool and the escalation protocol; the role and usefulness of the critical care outreach nurse (CCON); and education and sharing of critical care skills. The research was conducted in a 270-bed New Zealand hospital with a nurse-led outreach team. The survey was distributed to adult general wards. It found 45 percent of ward nurses found EWS useful in identifying patients whose condition was deteriorating, 58 percent found EWS easy to use and 82 percent found EWS helped them prioritise workloads. On the role and usefulness of the CCON, 41 percent of surveyed nurses found the post-ICU review helpful, 65 said CCONs were approachable, 71 percent found the CCON shift time of 3pm-11pm was useful, 69 percent said the CCON demonstrated sound clinical knowledge, and 54 percent rated CCONs teaching as sufficient for their needs. When CCO was present, nurses were able to formulate an effective management plan for potentially deteriorating patients and acquired critical care skills needed to manage such patients. The results are comparable with other research which sought nurse opinion of CCO. It indicates nurses believe CCO to be instrumental in increasing critical care skills to prevent deterioration in the clinical area.

Abstract: This paper will focus on nursing leadership, in particular the place of whanau ora in nursing practice. It explores one Maori and one tauiwi leadership style in relation to nursing practice in a whanau ora context. A critical appraisal of the Maori leadership style is given alongside discussion of how it promotes positive shifts in the health status of Maori communities. Finally, the paper discusses how this Maori leadership style supports the learning and development of Maori student nurses preparing for registered practice.