Abstract: This paper outlines the historical development of the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing programme. The paper discusses the multiple contextual considerations for the programme in terms of New Zealand health policy direction, academic level, and appropriate level of competency development for nurses new to primary health care and newly graduated nurses.

Abstract: This aim of this thesis was to explore and describe registered nurses' experiences of undertaking the statutory role of Responsible Clinician under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. The role of Responsible Clinician has been available to nurses since 1992 yet to date there has been little research into nurses' experiences of undertaking this role. An exploratory descriptive approach was therefore used in this study. A convenience sample of four nurses who had been undertaking the role of Responsible Clinician was recruited. Their experiences were elicited through in-depth interviews. Analysis of the interview material revealed the themes of legitimacy, relationships, expanding practice, responsibility and accountability, approaches to care, nurses' responsiveness to the role and support of the role. The author points to this research being important to nurses who are working in the psychiatric mental health area so that they can understand the role more fully. In this way, more nurses may choose to undertake the role of Responsible Clinician.

Abstract: Assesses the experiences of registered nurses (RNs)working in aged residential care facilities in Christchurch, in performing interRAI assessments using interRAI MOMENTUM software. Explores the positive and negative aspects of their experiences and the factors affecting performance of interRAI-based comprehensive health assessments. Identifies the aids and barriers faced by RNs in applying and using interRAI. Conducts focus-group interviews with 7 RNs. Highlights the need for a unified standard assessment system.

Abstract: Identifies critical factors related to the occupational health and safety of workplaces and working conditions in residential aged-care facilities (RACF), from the perspective of nursing staff. Correlates quality indicators for occupational health and safety for workplaces and in working conditions with nursing care quality based on the InterRAI Clinical Assessment Protocols (CAP). Uses a mixed-method approach to conduct an audit of workplace health and safety and environmental conditions in 17 RACFs. Surveys 398 registered nurses (RN), enrolled nurses (EN), and Healthcare Assistants (HCA) about the mental and physical stressors in their work.

Abstract: Investigates the impact of workplace factors on burnout in NZ RNs. Conducts a cross-sectional survey among 480 RNs in which burnout, practice environment and negative acts in the workplace were self-reported by means of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), the Practice Environment Scale (PES), and the Negative Acts Questionnaire (NAQ).

Abstract: Employs a non-experimental survey design to examine the psychological and structural empowerment, and clinical leadership of Registered Nurses (RNs) working in an adult emergency department (ED) in a large tertiary hospital in Auckland City. Includes qualitative questions relating to those factors that support or inhibit their clinical leadership at point of care.

Abstract: The introduction of nurse practitioner registration into New Zealand in 2001 was heralded as a move that would open up a wealth of opportunities for registered nurses to extend their practice into more independent roles and to provide a client-centred health service. It was also seen as a way to retain experienced registered nurses in the clinical practice area by providing a credible clinical career pathway. If nurse practitioner's are to meet these expectations, then, the author suggests, it is important to understand the processes that encourage or discourage nurses from advancing their practice. One of the early scopes of practice to be introduced was nurse practitioner with an endorsement in aged care scope of practice. Grounded theory was the method used to generate an explanation of how registered nurses working in aged care were preparing for the introduction of nurse practitioner roles. An analysis of early data highlighted codes around registered nurses in aged care extending and advancing their practice rather than preparing specifically for the nurse practitioner role. The research question for this study was: 'How are registered nurses in aged care advancing their nursing practice?' Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from ten experienced registered nurses working in aged care clinical practice settings ranging from secondary hospital facilities, to community settings and residential care villages. Dimensional analysis of the data eventually generated three major conceptual categories: 'ownership of nursing', 'extending practice', and 'moving out of a comfort zone'. Of these, 'ownership of nursing' was identified as the core construct that linked the other categories together. The substantive theory that explains how registered nurses in aged care advance their clinical practice is 'developing autonomous ownership'. Nurses who develop autonomous ownership of nursing are more likely than other nurses to move out of a current comfort zone and advance their practice into more independent roles that suit their autonomous ownership of nursing. This study identified important contextual factors and conditions that support the development of an autonomous ownership of nursing and that subsequently facilitate advancing nursing practice. These include creating supportive environments, organisational commitment to advanced nursing practice roles, visible nursing leadership, congruence between organisational and nursing philosophies, interdisciplinary collaboration and participating in postgraduate education. The author suggests that the significance of this study is that it generated a theory about the processes that encourage or discourage nurses from preparing for, and progressing into, advanced nursing practice roles such as nurse practitioner.