Alavi, C. (2005). Breaking-in bodies: Teaching, nursing, initiations or what's love got to do with it? Contemporary Nurse, 18(3), 292–299.
Abstract: This paper discusses how students become able to work with sick patients for whom they may feel disgust or discomfort. It is a sustained engagement with the literature on abjection and disgust and is not the outcome of evaluation research. It considers the role of problem-based learning pedagogy in facilitating students' negotiation of their own discomfort and horror, and describes experiences which enable them to approach abject patients with more comfort and less disgust. The paper argues the importance of creating spaces where students can explore issues which are distressing and disturbing so that they will feel able to remain in nursing.
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Bland, M. F. (2002). Patient observation in nursing home research: Who was that masked woman? [corrected] [published erratum appears in Contemporary Nurse 2002 Apr; 12(2): 135]. Contemporary Nurse, 12(1), 42–48.
Abstract: This article discusses the issues that one nurse researcher faced during participant observation in three New Zealand nursing homes. These include the complexity of the nurse researcher role, the blurring of role boundaries, and various ethical concerns that arose, including the difficulties of ensuring that all those who were involved in the study were kept informed as to the researcher's role and purpose. Strategies used to maintain ethical and role integrity are outlined, with further debate and discussion around fieldwork issues and experiences for nurse researchers called for.
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Clendon, J. (2004). Demonstrating outcomes in a nurse-led clinic: How primary health care nurses make a difference to children and their families. Contemporary Nurse, 18(1-2), 164–176.
Abstract: The study outlined here explored outcomes from the provision of primary health care to children aged 5-13 years in a nurse-led clinic based in a primary school in Auckland. This multi-faceted study collected both qualitative and quantitative data, however it is the results of the quantitative arm of the study that are presented here. Data were collected from a variety of sources concerning conditions seen, age and ethnicity of users, types of services provided and impact on hospital usage. Findings demonstrate that the provision of comprehensive primary health care by the nurse at the clinic impacts positively on hospital visitation by children from the area where the clinic is located.
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Day, W. (2003). Women and cardiac rehabilitation: A review of the literature. Contemporary Nurse, 16(1-2), 92–101.
Abstract: This literature review explores some of the issues related to women's experience of cardiac rehabilitation and demonstrates that women's experience may be different to that of men. Much of the research related to coronary heart disease (CHD) has been performed using either exclusively male populations or such small numbers of women that the results from the women studied were unable to be analysed independently. The author advocates that nurses working within this area of practice require an understanding of women's experience of recovery from a heart attack in order to better meet their needs.
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DeSouza, R. (2005). Transforming possibilities of care: Goan migrant motherhood in New Zealand. Contemporary Nurse, 20(1), 87–101.
Abstract: This paper reports on a study of the maternity care experiences of women from Goa (India) in Auckland. Multiple research strategies were incorporated into the process to prevent reproduction of deficiency discourses. Interviews were carried out with Goan women who had experiences of migration and motherhood. The findings revealed that as a consequence of motherhood and migration, migrant mothers were able to reclaim and re-invent innovative solutions. Nurses and other health professionals can have a significant role in supporting women and their families undergoing the transition to parenthood in a new country and develop their knowledge and understanding of this dual transition.
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Drake, M. (2004). The sonata form of musical composition as a framework for thesis writing. Contemporary Nurse, 16(3), 252–258.
Abstract: This article introduces an innovation in writing master's level research and suggests that other structures may offer new and different frameworks for reporting nursing research. This is exemplified by reference to an example of nursing research which adopted the sonata form of musical composition as the framework for presentation of the thesis.
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Hall, L. (2001). Burnout: Results of an empirical study of New Zealand nurses. Contemporary Nurse, 11(1), 71–83.
Abstract: This is the first New Zealand study to use the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Phase Model of Burnout to determine the extent and severity of burnout in a population of 1134 nurses. Burnout is conceptualised as a syndrome consisting of three components-emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment and depersonalisation of clients or patients that occurs in individuals who work in the human service professions, particularly nursing. It has been observed that nurses are at a high risk of burnout and burnout has been described as the 'professional cancer' of nursing. Results revealed an overall 'low to average' level of burnout, suggesting that New Zealand nurses, apart from those in the 41-45 age group, are doing better than expected insofar as they are managing to avoid or not progress to the advanced phases of burnout. Possible explanations and directions for future research are presented.
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Lawless, J., & Moss, C. (2007). Exploring the value of dignity in the work-life of nurses. Contemporary Nurse, 23(2), 225–236.
Abstract: In this paper the authors draw attention to the value and understandings of nurse dignity in the work-life of nurses. A review of nursing literature and a theoretical lens on worker dignity derived from recent work by Hodson (2001) was used to explore these questions. In the context of current and international workforce issues associated with recruitment and retention, analysis of the construct of worker dignity within the profession takes on a strong imperative. Findings of this inquiry reveal that while there is a degree of coherence between the nursing research and elements of Hodson's (2001) research on worker dignity, the dignity of nurses, as a specific construct and as an intrinsic human and worker right has received little explicit attention. Reasons for this may lie partly in approaches that privilege patient dignity over nurse dignity and which rely on the altruism and self-sacrifice of nurses to sustain patient care in environments dominated by cost-control agendas. The value of dignity in the work-life of nurses has been under-explored and there is a critical need for further theoretical work and research. This agenda goes beyond acceptance of dignity in the workplace as a human right towards the recognition that worker dignity may be a critical factor in sustaining development of healthy workplaces and healthy workforces. Directing explicit attention to nurse dignity may benefit the attainment of both nurse and organisational goals. Hodson's (2001) framework offers a new perspective on dignity in the workplace.
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McKenna, B., Simpson, A. I. F., & Coverdale, J. (2006). Best practice management strategies for mental health nurses during the clinical application of civil commitment: An overview. Contemporary Nurse, 21(1), 62–70.
Abstract: The aim of this article is to outline best practice management strategies for nurses during the clinical application of civil commitment of mentally ill persons. A literature search on 'coercion' and 'civil commitment' was undertaken. Published and unpublished research undertaken by the authors in New Zealand on this topic was drawn upon. This research considered the use of civil commitment during admission to acute mental health services, acute forensic mental health services and community mental health services. The experience of coercion by service users coincides with the degree of restriction associated with the service they are involved in. Socio-demographic factors, clinical factors and the experience of coercive events have little bearing on the amount of coercion experienced. Rather, it is the pattern of communication and the use of 'procedural justice' that has the potential to ameliorate the amount of perceived coercion. The authors conclude that 'Procedural justice' aligns with the emphasis placed on the therapeutic relationship in mental health nursing and is an important consideration for nurses during the clinical application of civil commitment
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McKey, A., & Huntington, A. D. (2004). Obesity in pre-school children: Issues and challenges for community based child health nurses. Contemporary Nurse, 18(1-2), 145–151.
Abstract: In this paper, literature related to childhood obesity in New Zealand and internationally is explored to identify current issues, and the implications for nurses in community based child health practice are discussed. Themes that emerged from the literature relate to the measurement of obesity, links between childhood and adult obesity and issues for families. Studies that investigated maternal perceptions of childhood obesity found that mothers identified their child as being overweight or obese only when it imposed limitations on physical activity or when the children were teased rather than by referring to individual growth graphs. The implications for nursing in the area of child health practice are discussed. Understanding of the complex and emotive issues surrounding childhood obesity is required when devising health promotion strategies.
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McLeland, A., & Williams, A. (2002). An emancipatory praxis study of nursing students on clinical practicum in New Zealand: Pushed to the peripheries. Contemporary Nurse, 12(2), 185–193.
Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyse the learning experiences of nine nursing students on clinical placement in New Zealand. The students were in their third and final year of their baccalaureate nursing degree. The study specifically examined what impinged upon their learning experience in the clinical venue. Data was obtained from interviewing the students, initially individually and finally in a focus group. Themes emerged through words and concepts as the data was analysed. The themes included powerlessness; marginalisation; the move from a holistic to a reductionist approach in care; the exploitation of minority students and the myth of praxis. Clinical practice was a time for nursing students to apply their knowledge to their practice, and to gain experience and confidence. Their clinical practice was normally a positive experience, but, each student spoke of the occasional negative episode. These left them with feelings of powerlessness and marginalisation. The Maori students felt exploited. The students were concerned about the lack of time to debrief at the end of the day, and to share their experiences with their educator and colleagues. The students' negative experiences were often the result of a clinical practitioner's high workload, under resourcing and the nurse educator's unavailability.
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Milligan, K., & Neville, S. J. (2001). Health assessment and its relationship to nursing practice in New Zealand. Contemporary Nurse, 10(1/2), 7–11.
Abstract: This article draws on Australian experience to gain insight to three specific areas of health assessment that are topical in New Zealand, which has recently introduced the concept into nursing training. The issues are annual registration based on evidence of competence to practice, a review of undergraduate curricula, and the development of nurse practitioner/advanced nurse practitioner roles. The meaning of the concept 'health assessment' is also clarified in order to provide consistency as new initiatives in nursing are currently being developed.
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Muir-Cochrane, E., Holmes, C., & Walton, J. A. (2002). Law and policy in relation to the use of seclusion in psychiatric hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Contemporary Nurse, 13(2/3), 136–145.
Abstract: This paper discusses legal issues associated with the seclusion of acutely disturbed patients in psychiatric hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. There continues to be great variation in opinion and operational definition as to whether seclusion is a medical treatment, nursing intervention and management tool, or merely a form of situational restraint. Reflecting this lack of clarity, mental health acts and policies concerning the regulation and practice of seclusion lack consistency and focus across geographical boundaries and jurisdictions. Australian and New Zealand legislation and institutional policy is discussed in order to shed light on the contemporary issues highlighted by this controversial nursing practice. The authors note that mental health professionals must continue to review the practice of seclusion and to actively promote the use of acceptable alternatives. In addition nurses and other mental health professionals have a responsibility to understand current legislation and policy frameworks and to influence change where this is necessary to ensure the best practice possible in their clinical area.
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Nicol, M. J., Manoharan, H., Marfell-Jones, M., Meha-Hoerara, K., Milne, R., O'Connell, M., et al. (2002). Issues in adolescent health: A challenge for nursing. Contemporary Nurse, 12(2), 155–163.
Abstract: This review provides an overview of the health issues for adolescents, and the implications for nursing practice, particularly around health promotion. It looks at the social context of adolescents including peer pressure, along with health issues such as suicide, mental health, sexual health, and smoking.
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O'Brien, A. J., Hughes, F., & Kidd, J. D. (2006). Mental health nursing in New Zealand primary health care. Contemporary Nurse, 21(1), 142–152.
Abstract: This article describes the move in mental health from institutional care to community arrangements. It draws on international literature and New Zealand health policy, which gives increased emphasis to the role of the primary health care sector in responding to mental health issues. These issues include the need for health promotion, improved detection and treatment of mild to moderate mental illness, and provision of mental health care to some of those with severe mental illness who traditionally receive care in secondary services. These developments challenge specialist mental health nurses to develop new roles which extend their practice into primary health care. In some parts of New Zealand this process has been under way for some time in the form of shared care projects. However developments currently are ad hoc and leave room for considerable development of specialist mental health nursing roles, including roles for nurse practitioners in primary mental health care.
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