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: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand. June 2007
This study used an interpretive descriptive method to gain insight into and
explore key issues for rural nurses working and living in the same
community. Four Rural Nurse Specialists were recruited as participants. The
nurses had lived and nursed in the same rural community for a minimum of
12 months. Participants were interviewed face to face and their transcribed
interviews underwent thematic analysis.
The meta-theme was: the distinctive nature of rural nursing. The themes
identified were: interwoven professional and personal roles; complex role of
rural nurses and relationships with the community. A conceptual model was
developed to capture the relationship between the meta-theme and the
themes. A definition for rural nursing was developed from the findings.
This research identified some points of difference in this group of rural
nurses from the available rural nursing literature. It also provides a better
understanding of the supports Rural Nurse Specialists need to be successful
in their roles, particularly around the recruitment and retention of the rural
nursing workforce.

Abstract: ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Emergency nursing is a specialty concerned with the care of people of all ages, with either perceived or actual unwellness presenting to the emergency department(ED) for assessment, resuscitation, investigation, treatment and review of their illness or injury. Emergency nurses apply specialty knowledge and expertise in the provision, delivery and evaluation of emergency nursing care. Over recent decades social, political and professional changes have affected nursing care delivery and nursing education. In particular the 21st century has witnessed the development of state funded postgraduate nursing education programmes, developing nurses specialty or advanced nursing knowledge, quality patient/client care and nursing practice within the tertiary education system.
AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate emergency nurses? perceptions of the impact of postgraduate education on their practice in New Zealand (NZ).
METHODS: This study utilises critical social theory as the overarching framework, informed by the writing of Jürgen Habermas (b.1929- ). It is the three phases of
Habermas?s practical intent of critical social theory; namely enlightenment, empowerment and emancipation, that this study is concerned with. This descriptive research study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods and is therefore known as mixed-methods research. Data collection took place over 12 weeks, from August to November 2006, using a survey questionnaire obtained with permission from Ms Dianne Pelletier, Sydney, Australia. The sample included 105 emergency nurses from District Health Board (DHB) emergency departments in NZ, 10 respondents from this sample self-selected to be interviewed by telephone. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the University of Otago Ethics Committee for research involving human participants. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
RESULTS: Two main themes arose from the thematic analysis; these being positive and negative, these themes were further divided into 10 sub-themes. The results indicate that postgraduate study (PGS) has increased nurses? perception of their knowledge; leadership and understanding on the quality of patient care delivered, increased their academic and research skills and increased their confidence/self-esteem and recognition by their colleagues and team. Therefore the majority of respondents perceive postgraduate education has been an instrument of liberation and a process of empowerment and emancipation. A smaller percentage of respondents perceived that PGS had no effect on various aspects of patient care and another significantly smaller percentage of respondents reported negative results from PGS. This research identified similarities between this study and that of Pelletier and colleagues? (2003; , 2005; , 1998a; , 1998b) Australian study.
CONCLUSION: This study adds to the existing literature on postgraduate studies undertaken by nurses. No known study has previously investigated solely emergency nurses?perceptions of the effects of PGS, either nationally or internationally. The results of this study offer enlightening information regarding emergency nurses? perceptions of their PGS within NZ and offers a platform from which other studies may be undertaken. It also has the potential to inform nurses contemplating PGS and educators facilitating these programmes,as well as provide implications for policy development by the Nursing Council of NZ, NZ Universities, DHBs and the Ministry of Health.

Abstract: This research explores the issues and experiences of mental health nurses who experience or have experienced mental illness. This project was prompted by the author's concern for colleagues and friends in this situation. The research topic was approached using a mix of critical ethnography and action research principles. Five mental health nurses who all work for the same district health board were interviewed about their experiences of being mental health professionals with mental illness and the issues that arose from this. The themes that emerged from this research are: the reactions of nurse colleagues, the effects on participants' own mental health treatment, employer responses, professional experiences and issues and strategies for coping. Discussion and recommendations focus on the need for improvements to the responses that mental health nurses with experience of mental illness encounter in their workplace. Recommendations from this research encompass suggestions for both individual and organisational education, action and change.

Abstract: In 1997, Advanced Mental Health Nursing Programmes were funded nationally by the Clinical Training Agency using the funds made available subsequent to the 1996 Mason Report. The training leads to an award of either a post graduate certificate or diploma awarded by a tertiary education provider.A review was conducted with the aim to monitor the impact on service provision of advanced mental health nurse practitioner training. This was done by obtaining feedback through using an agreed standard questionnaire from course participants and mental health service providers.In seeking to learn more about the impact of these programmes, the CTA identified the following key issues:- what effect the courses may have had on mental health workforce make-up, skills and retention.- perceptions of programme delivery and content.- the impact on service delivery.Overall findings are shared which highlight that the course was seen as well organised and participants and service providers would recommend it to their colleagues. The greatest effect of the course appeared to be in developing more understanding of clinical supervision. Participating in the course had also led to positive changes in relationships with the clients and colleagues for more than three quarters of the group.The provision of an Advanced Mental Health Nursing Programme in 1997 has had many positive effects. The funding strategy and delivery models that have evolved may provide a useful template for other nursing specialty areas

Abstract: A dissertation in partial fulfilment of Master Health Sciences (Clinical)through University of Otago
The nurse practitioner is one of the newest nursing health care professionals to be introduced to the New Zealand health system for many years. Eighty-six nurse practitioners are credentialed in New Zealand, with three working in urban Emergency Department settings. Nurse Practitioners are common internationally especially in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia. The purpose of this integrated literature review is to explore current research and literature in regards to the Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner, and their role within emergency settings. This review presents the growth and development of the nurse practitioner as an advanced practice nursing position. Four key themes emerge from the literature review; education of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner , how and who defined the Emergency Nurse Practitioner role, practice setting of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner, and what the barriers are to independent practice. The economic, legal and governance aspects of the Nurse Practitioner role are also portrayed. This integrated review documents the potential for further development and expansion of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner scope of practice to provide a broad range of patient care services within Emergency Departments, and emergency care settings. Future research is essential for the promotion of autonomous practice of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner within the international and New Zealand health care system.

Abstract: A research portfolio submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing, the University of Auckland, 2010.
Sustained weight loss maintenance is a constant challenge, especially for morbidly obese individuals who have tried and failed repeatedly. Why is it then, that some individuals are successful whilst others are not so successful? This two-phase sequential, mixed methods study sought to identify and gain insight into the factors associated with successful weight loss maintenance for participants in an adult weight management programme in the Waikato. Success appeared to be independent of age, gender, ethnicity, domicile, employment status and the presence of co-morbities.
Four major themes emerged:
- “Actions speak louder than words – just do it” (Following a lower energy diet, having higher levels of physical activity, regular self weighing, and vigilance in adjusting their behaviours based on the results)
- Routines were also important in supporting the changed behaviours
- What's it worth to me
- Valuing the achievements associated with lesser weight was seen as another important factor of success