Abstract: Aims to inform future curriculum design to support, retain, and attract more men to nursing. Uses a descriptive qualitative design to explore the experiences of male nurses prior, during and after the Bacelor of Nursing degree. Conducts semi-structured interviews with 9 male nurses resulting in two main themes: isolation during training; inaccurate public perception of the of the scope of the modern nurse.

Abstract: This study explores the experiences of men who are nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand. Utilising discourse analysis a social constructionist reading of men, masculinity and nursing is provided to offer an alternative reading to much of the extant literature with respect to men in nursing. The study draws upon a number of different sources of “text”, including over 600 written works, two films and interviews with eighteen men who currently are, have been or are intending to be, nurses. Drawing primarily upon the “literary” textual sources a number of themes were identified for further exploration in interview with the co-researchers. These themes were the construction of masculinity, the construction of images of the nurse, the reaction to men who are nurses, sexuality issues, career development, and men and caring. The findings of this thesis reveal that the literature pertaining to men in nursing is replete with paradox and contradiction and fails to adequately account for the male experience. It is argued that the images and arguments provided in the literature with respect to men in nursing are based on out-of-date models and understandings of gender relations, masculinity and nursing. It is suggested that rather than enjoying patriarchal privilege, men who enter nursing must contend with being constructed as both an inferior man and inferior nurse. Their careers are not, as is alleged in the literature, based on developing “islands of masculinity” and male privilege, nor upon the avoidance of the emotional labour of nursing but reflect a belief that career is one way of doing care. It is argued in this work that men in nursing have fewer “taken-as-givens” upon which to base work and that they work to develop trusting relationships with their patients that are based on communication and empathy within a context defined by the patients' circumstances.

Abstract: This article, drawn from a larger study, reports on the factors that have influenced the choice of a group of New Zealand male nurses' clinical career pathways. Using discourse analysis, interview data from 18 participants were analysed and related to existing literature on male nurses. The analysis revealed that the predominance of men in selected areas of nursing can be attributed to multiple factors including: socialisation pressures that are grounded on gender stereotyping, a desire for challenge, homosocial tendencies, and the belief that multiple work experience equips them to be better nurses. The results challenge essentialist readings of masculinity within the context of nursing and identifies challenges for nursing education and the profession to enable men to contribute more widely to nursing.

Abstract: Determines what mental health (MH) nurses understand the concept of self-management to mean in relation to patients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Interviews 10 MH nurses using a semi-structured format and analyses data using the general inductive approach, resulting in 26 sub-themes organised into three over-arching themes: self management is self-responsibility, self-management is self-awareness, self-management is maintaining safety.

Abstract: Interviews 9 nurses in their first year of clinical practice to investigate how newly-qualified nurses recognise and develop those skills relating to clinical risk and patient safety. Identifies workplace culture, clinical role models, exposure to the clinical environment, experiential learning, narrative sharing, debriefing and simulation as contributing to learning and understanding clinical risk and safe patient care. Considers strategies to facilitate professional development.

Abstract: In November 2005, the Oxford Community Health Centre (OCHC) introduced an innovative way of delivering primary health care to the residents of Oxford. This was in response to the difficulty with recruitment and retention of medical staff for the solo General Practitioner (GP) at OCHC. Primary health care services are now the shared responsibility of the Rural Nurse Specialists (RNS) and the GPs. This initiative is underpinned by a collaborative approach in sharing patient care between the GPs and RNSs to improve access to primary health care and foster staff retention. The team at OCHC is keen to consolidate and enhance the success of collaboration. Therefore, this dissertation has reviewed a range of literature in order to identify lessons that can be learned for the future. Two key factors that have implications for OCHC are the structural effects of the organisation and the interpersonal relationships between the GPs and RNSs. The structural effects include: the structure and philosophy at OCHC, and the social, cultural, and educational influences within the organisation. It is the nature of the interpersonal relationships that can affect the development and success of collaboration through a willingness to collaborate and the existence of mutual respect, trust, and effective communication between the RNSs and GPs. Strategies to foster collaboration at OCHC in the future include: staff participation in making collaboration visible within the philosophy at OCHC, a workshop for staff to further define roles and differentiate activities according to skill-mix; and the involvement of a nurse in decision-making at the organisational level. The author suggests that these strategies could also be beneficial to other rural practices that are striving to maintain a sustainable primary health care service.

Abstract: Reveals and explores the stories of ten Registered Nurses working in Acute Assessment Units caring for clinically-deteriorating patients. Uses the perspectives of hermeneutic phenomenology to explore the meaning of nurses caring for such patients. Conducts semi-structured interviews with the RNs identifying three main themes.

Abstract: Conducts a qualitative study to explore Registered Nurses' (RN) attitudes towards caring for adolescents in adult mental health (MH) in-patient services. Uncovers the reasons adolescents access such services and considers the training and knowledge RNs have in relation to the assessment and management of adolescents with MH problems. Identifies areas that may be improved or developed.