Abstract: Seeks to understand how clinical nurse managers build positive culture in their workplace, while identifying leadership attributes and actions for generating positive workplace culture. Interviews 10 clinical nurse managers from one secondary hospital in the North Island about their strategies to build positive workplace culture: preparation for their role; maintaining perspective, and intention to enhance collaborative behaviour.

Abstract: Reviews literature relating to the experience of international tertiary students, particularly Chinese students, undertaking nursing education. Reports that international students cite poorer mental and physical health outcomes than domestic students, and that students with English as an additional language (EAL) experience culture shock, frustration and stress. Suggests that tertiary institutions need to supply targeted interventions for international students in language and cultural adaptation to promote positive acculturation.

Abstract: Explores the rationale underpinning the development of education programmes within urban district hospitals throughout the country, and ascertains how these workplaces develop education programmes, given that the majority of nurses in New Zealand have identified that they prefer to participate in workplace-based professional development. Cites a clear requirement to foster learning during a nurse's development post-registration, while considering how prepared nurse educators were to fulfil their roles as lifelong learning facilitators and mentors. Utilises the perspective of nurse educators employed in District Health Boards (DHBs) geographically isolated from universities providing post-registration learning.

Abstract: This research takes an autoethnographical approach to exploring the connections between being a nurse, doing nursing work, and experiencing a mental illness. Data is comprised of autoethnographical stories from 18 nurses. Drawing on Lyotard's (1988) postmodern philosophy of 'regimes of phrases' and 'genres of discourse,' the nurses' stories yielded three motifs: Nursing, Tangata Whaiora (people seeking wellness) and Bullying. Interpretation of the motifs was undertaken by identifying and exploring connected or dissenting aspects within and between the motifs.

Abstract: This study explores the phenomenon of a personal exploratory field visit to HIV programmes in Malawi and how that informs the author's future plans to work cross-culturally with HIV. He uses hermeneutic phenomenology with the guidance of Heidegger and Gadamer, and draw on Ackermann, Hill, Maluleke, Moltmann, and Thielicke for theological direction. This study analyses how personal formation takes place and how the meaning of that experience can inform future cross-cultural interaction. The data of this study is drawn from a range of people interviewing 'me'. This includes a pre and post interview in relation to the author's three week exploratory visit to Malawi, and recorded daily reflections during the visit. Upon return he was interviewed about the experience by ten people from the following areas: nursing, counselling, development, theology, business, medicine, clergy, an Expatriate Malawian, and a women working from a Maori paradigm. These interviews focused on the author's experience with questions framed from the interviewer's specialty area. The transcripts become further data for this study. The findings of this thesis suggest that people wishing to work cross-culturally need to understand their motivation for their work, and understand who they are before entering a foreign land. This transformative journey also needs to continue as part of the process of working with people because we can only be effective with change if we are listening and hearing the other's perspective. It is in being open to this difference between persons that we continue to find ourselves. While perhaps we have a tendency to want to make everybody like us, we can only grow into our full potential in relationship with truly different others. Tensions experienced demonstrate that there is a complex need to understand how the context controls how HIV is perceived. This requires uncovering some of the deeper issues of HIV and culture, and knowing how to conceptualise these in both positive and informative ways. This thesis asks four key questions for the global-co-worker to work through before embarking on cross-cultural mission: 1. How do you know you should go?; 2. How are you going to make a difference?; 3. Who are you going to be?; and 4. What will sustain your involvement? The author's own experience has drawn me into a deeper awareness of the need for a vital connectedness of faith, hope and love underpinning the everydayness of such an experience.

Abstract: This dissertation considers the implications of the relationship between nurses and the patient's family, when family members visit intensive care units (ICUs) following the acute admission of a relative there. In particular it explores the issues of power and control, nurses might have in this setting, the culture that supports that, and the implications this has for practice in the New Zealand context. A comprehensive literature review on the perspective of nurses in relation to relatives visiting adult intensive care units was conducted. The author concludes that nurses modify policies related to visiting access for family members to suit themselves, and the needs of their patient. Nurses use a variety of tactics to maintain a position of power and control by looking out for themselves first, their patient second, and relatives third. The need of the patient and their families is not well understood by nurses, and nurses feel they have inadequate skills to cope with the needs and stresses of visiting relatives. The author suggests that for nurses to provide family focused care in ICU they must develop a therapeutic relationship with all concerned. ICU nursing culture affects nurses ability to focus on caring for their patients and their families. Nurses in ICU appear to need to maintain power and control over their environment but further research is needed to identify the current situation in New Zealand ICUs.

Abstract: The author reviews the national and international literature on medical errors and adverse events. Contributing factors are identified, such as organisational culture, the myth of infallibility, and a one size fits all approach to health care. Conflict and communication difficulties between different health professionals is discussed in detail, as is the issue of disruptive behaviour, which includes intimidation, humiliation, undermining, domination and bullying. Some strategies for addressing these issues are proposed, such as promoting a no-blame culture, and addressing conflict between health professionals.

Abstract: This thesis explores the shared experiential journeys of four Pukorero (participants) who successfully completed detoxification and recovery programmes from AOD addiction. Three questions were used to guide the research process to enable the Pukorero to identify positive aspects of their individual detoxification and recovery programmes, surface any barriers and issues they experienced, and clarify the support they received throughout the process. Kaupapa Maori and narrative inquiry was adapted to undertake this study to capture the essence of Maori thinking and reality regarding AOD. Through the use of thematic analysis the data findings of the study reflect the views from each Pukorero of Wairua, Whakapapa and Whanau as key to their successful recovery. This supports the notion that a pathway of detoxification, recovery and hope exists to enable Maori and others to take the journey to reclaim their own health and well-being, and the health and well-being of whanau, hapu, iwi, and Maori community. In honour of these Pukorero, kaumatua, tipuna, whanau, hapu, iwi, Maori katoa, and to celebrate kaupapa Maori and narrative inquiry [as the preferred methodological approach], the use of our tino ataahua reo integrated with English throughout the thesis demonstrates the interwoven connections between the two cultures enshrined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi that comprise the nation of Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu of New Zealand.