Abstract: The relevance of Nursing Curricula and the degree of effectiveness of their outcomes for the 'consumer' ( clients, students, a given society) are seen as commiserate to the degree that a curriculum is developed with due regard for the 'social realities' of a society. "Social realities' are defined as the actual conditions, pressures, disabilities and abilities, limitations and resources that exist in the lifespan of people and form the environment within which Nursing practices. A Curriculum relevancy process ( CRP) has been developed for use as the main analytical tool of the study. CRP has been designated as an information seeking, problem solving and evaluative process. It consists of three phases with a major emphasis on the first phase, information seeking. Information has been gathered about contemporary social realities ( the year of 1979) and related Socio- health disorders. Information has been gathered and analysed from official ad voluntary sources and the findings related to curricular choices for Nursing education

Abstract: A paper specifically foe persons interested in using the methodology developed for the project in their own setting. This paper focuses on the problems of undertaking this project and concludes with some practical guidelines about adapting and or simplifying the questionnaire used by the researchers

Abstract: This study investigates the induction of comprehensive Nurses into a professional culture during their polytechnic education and the first year of Hospital practise. A critical theory framework combined with case study method is used to demonstrate the ways in which social forces constrain individual and professional action. It is argued that a more socially critical approach to the design of Nursing curricula might begin to transform some of the social structures which presently inhibit and constrain the professional choices and actions of student and graduate Nurse

Abstract: A survey of health professionals in a medium-sized regional hospital, examining attitudes and perceptions of clinical practice surrounding 'do not resuscitate' orders. Data collected using a questionnaire circulated to medical and nursing professionals currently practising in general medical and surgical areas. Reveals differences in what actually happens in clinical practice compared to what health professionals believe should happen. Using five brief case vignettes, agreement is shown in only two cases as to what resuscitation status should be. Shows that determining resuscitation status in dependent on the individual's values and belief systems

Abstract: Reports the development of a set of Rating scales which can be used to measure the Home visiting part of the workload of Community Health Nurses. The scales provide a useful tool for the equitable distribution of Home visits among existing staff and can assist in the assessment of the total workload of the Community Health Nurses

Abstract: This thesis provides a reflexive critique of the power structures which constrain nursing actions in the practice setting, an abortion clinic, of the registered nurses who participated in this study. The development of abortion services, like other health services for women, has been based on a medical ideology of health which has created many ethical dilemmas for nurses. One of the most complex of these is the extent to which nurses should fulfil the role of client advocate. While the literature on nursing advocacy has been prolific, published research in this area is scant.The theoretical assumptions of critical social science, provide the basis for the methodological approach of action research adapted in this study. In depth, unstructured interviews involving exchange of dialogue amongst the participants with the researcher focused on the participants' experiences of their own nursing practice, with a view to uncoveing and removing restrasints, which had prevented them fulfililng an advocacy role. Diaries were also kept and used as supplementary research tools.The analysis of the data demonstrates the ways in which nurses interpret their own practice world as a system independent of their own actions. It shows how the shared understandings of the participants were 'ideologically frozen' and power relations inherent in the health care system are deep rooted and subtle, coming to be treated as natural by the nurses, and so denying them their own ability to make changes.It is suggested that opportunities for nurses coming together and engaging in such critically reflexive dialogue may provide a basis for future emancipation from traditional power structures. In this way effective and satisfying nursing practice dependent on emancipatory knowledge and a reinterpretation of power structures may result in an advocacy role for nurses