Abstract: Nursing is increasingly using holistic interventions. Some research validating these interventions has been conducted. However there was no nursing research for these interventions with women with breast cancer. This research explored the experience of one womean who was diagnosed with breast cancer and who actively chose to have these interventions as an adjunct to the medical treatment.It was a single subject phenomenological study, effectively being a pilot study. Data was collected through unstructured interview, participant observation and review of the nursing notes. Interpretative analysis techniques were used to obtain the results. Three themes of the experience of the subject were identified as:1. maintenance of the locus of control with the subject,2. the choice of a health professional with philosophical base similar to that of the subject and3. maintenance of a focus on healthy living.These interventions were perceived as beneficial by this subject. This research demonstrated that further study on the effectiveness of holistic nursing interventions with women being treated for breast cancer is indicated

Abstract: Patients with myisthenia gravis (MG) face major pulmary problems as a part of the disease process. In this descriptive study, changes in selected pulmonary functions (respiratory rate, negative inspiratory force, tidal volume and forced total capacity) in 14 patients diagnosed with mild or moderate MG were measured every two hours from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Females comprised 64% of the sample while 36% were males. All subjects received anticholnesterase medication, and some subjects received additional treatment modalities. Most of the subjects were non-smokers or previous smokers, but two subjects continued to smoke. Ninety-three recent of the sample had forced vital capacities less than 60% of their predicted values. Myasthenic forced vital capacities were significantly lower (p=.0000) than those predicted for normal subjects. The inspiratory force for the sample was low sat 8:00 a.m. as well as in females over 55 years of age. There was a wide variation in total volume to normal values derived from random tables and predicted equations ws not significant. Th major implications from this study are the need to assess pulmonary function in the hospitalized myasthenic every two hours, and the need for a program of coughing, deep breathing and sighing after medication administration when the muscles are strongest

Abstract: This study was undertaken to ascertain the opinions of nursing students at Wellington Polytechnic (now Massey University Campus of Wellington) about their current uniform worn on clinical placements. As the NZNO National Student Unit representative at Wellington Polytechnic, it was brought to my attention by my fellow students that the current uniform was not particularly functional. As a result of these comments I concluded the best way for students to voice their opinions further was to circulate a survey. The survey questioned the students about the current uniform and what they thought the future uniform might be. The survey was available for collection by students for a two week period in July 1998. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. It was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee, School of Nursing, Health and Environmental Sciences, Wellington Polytechnic. The results were that sixty percent of students supported a change in the current uniform. Most students chose a tunic top as their preferred option. If there was to be a change, students would be prepared to spend $20-49. Consequently permission has been granted by the Head of Department – School of Nursing to investigate a change to a tunic style top. The item will be trialed by those who wish to purchase it in 1999. I believe that it is of utmost importance that student satisfaction with their clinical uniform is assessed at regular intervals to ensure that the students take a pride in their presentation and the uniform serves the purpose for which it is intended

Abstract: The aim of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the experience of new comprehensive nursing graduates as they adapted to working in the acute psychiatric setting. Interviews were conducted with four participants, focussing on their current work experiences and how the philosophical beliefs and values derived from their educational preparation fit with those they encountered within the practice setting. The data were analysed by noting common experiences, values and meanings and identifying the themes as they emerged. The themes were: transition to practice, conflict, contradiction, structural constraints, and the reality of the psychiatric setting. The results of the study confirm the concern that has been voiced by new graduates about the quality and quantity of current orientation programmes. Conflicting values and beliefs concerning the nature of mental health/psychiatric nursing has also become evident. It appears that the graduates' Comprehensive nursing preparation may have contributed to their feelings of unease as they attempted to fit their own values and beliefs about nursing with those of the acute psychiatric setting

Abstract: Account of New Zealand nurses who have worked with International Council of Nurses, World Health Organisation and similar bodies 1899-date

Abstract: Summary of developments 1910-80