Abstract: Introduces the Clinical Communication Assessment Framework (CCAF), adapted by Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology from communication assessment guidelines developed in Australia to assess nursing students' English language proficiency. Uses this framework to assess nurses, before the competency assessment programme (CAP) four-week clinical nursing placement, for the first time in NZ.

Abstract: Aims to develop a new empirical method for assessing the similarity of mental models in surgery, focusing on laparotomy; to begin the process of validation of the new approach; and to demonstrate how the new approach could be used in clinical practice. Develops a software application (Momento) to sort key tasks in order to capture the information on mental models regarding task sequence and responsibility. Asks 20 6-person operating room (OR) teams, each comprising 3 sub-teams consisting of anaesthesia, surgery and nursing, to complete Momento prior to 2 simulated emergency laparotomies. Suggests the Momento approach could be used to improve teamwork in OR.

Abstract: Accepting the impact that paraplegic disability has on lifestyle, I felt that further investigation was warranted into the relationship of registered Nurses ( my profession) to acute paraplegic rehabilitation. The following descriptive study was based on the hypothesis that registered nurses are perceived as important in the acute rehabilitation of paraplegics. By means of a questionnaire 15 registered nurses currently employed at a spinal unit were surveyed in Auckland, and 15 community based paraplegics who were at least two years from injury were surveyed over a geographical area from Whangarei to New Plymouth. The questionnaire was designed to elicit information in two main areas. The importance of Registered Nurses in acute paraplegic rehabilitation, who else could perform their function- Respondents were equally likely to report positively as negatively. Some questions were designed to be answered objectively and others were based on individual perception. Face validity of the tool was determined by presenting it to six advanced diploma colleagues who had worked in the rehabilitation field for critique and later by a pilot study of three registered nurses and three paraplegics. There are two themes that consistently recurred: amongst paraplegics, the more medical complications experienced, the higher value placed on spinal unit nursing care. Most people recommended the spinal unit, either for work in the case of registered nurses or for rehabilitation in the case of paraplegics. A systems model was used as the theoretical framework for the study. The nursing profession was depicted as the main system, each having definite and interdependent environments. By using this approach I emphasised that the importance of any part of the system is largely dependant on the view of that importance, by other parts. The analysis and interpretation of the data supported the hypothesis. This study concluded that registered nurses do play a significant role in acute paraplegic rehabilitation in the practise setting

Abstract: In this paper, the author explores the concept of 'professional terrorism'. He exposes discrimination against male nurses as being a form of professional terrorism, primarily as it is enacted through use of language. He presents the concept of horizontal violence as a way to understand why nurses, as a marginalised group, perform oppressive acts towards male nurses, who are similarly oppressed. He outlines the cost of such a culture on nursing practice and presents strategies for change.

Abstract: Through improved technology and treatment and ongoing de-institutionalisation, nurses will encounter growing numbers of people with disabilities in the New Zealand community and hospitals. Quality of nursing care is influenced by attitude and this study was to evaluate the effect of a curriculum change on the attitudes of two different streams of student nurses towards people with disabilities. During the year 2002 a focused disability unit was introduced to the revised undergraduate nursing curriculum of a major educational institution in New Zealand. The opportunity arose to consider student nurses' attitudes toward disabled people, comparing two streams of students undertaking two different curricula. A convenience sample of students completed Yuker, Block and Younng's (1970) Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons scale (ATDP) form B prior to and on completion of their relevant disability unit. No statistically significant difference in scores was demonstrated. A number of possible reasons for this are suggested.

Abstract: Current New Zealand health policy encourages collaborative health promotion in all sectors of health service delivery. The integrated approach to the acute management of coronary heart disease in a coronary care unit, combining medical therapy and lifestyle change, supports clinical health promotion. The aim of this study was to use the grounded theory approach to discover the main concerns of nurses' promoting health in an acute coronary care setting and to explain the processes that nurses used to integrate health promotional activities into their practice. Seventeen registered nurses from three coronary care units within a large metropolitan city in New Zealand were interviewed. Data were constantly compared and analysed using Glaser's emergent approach to grounded theory.The main concern for nurses promoting health within coronary care was ritualistic practice. In this study, ritualistic practice concerns the medically-based protocols, routines, language and technology that drives nursing practice in coronary care. This concern was resolved via the socio-cultural process of attitudinal shifting that occurs over time involving three stages. The three conceptual categories, environmental pressures, practice reality and responsive action are the main components of the theory of attitudinal shifting. In environmental pressures, nurses experience a tension between specialist medically-dominated nursing practice and the generalist nursing role of promoting health. In practice reality, nurses become aware that the individual needs of patients are not being met. This causes role conflict until the nurse observes colleagues who role model possibilities for practice, working with patients to promote health. Responsive action sees the nurse engaging in self-development, also focusing on the nurse-patient relationship, thereby enabling active patient involvement in individual health-promoting decisions. The author suggests that the findings from this research have implications for nursing practice and education. With the increasing specialisation in nursing practice, these findings may be of interest to nurses working in delegated medical roles where the reality of everyday practice precludes nurses from undertaking their essential nursing role. Health care facilities also need to ensure that there are opportunities for the personal and professional development of nursing staff. The place of health promotion within nursing undergraduate curricula needs to be examined, as many nurses found that they were ill prepared for undertaking health promotional activities.

Abstract: Studies show that majority of complications experienced by patients with long term suprapubic catheters are associated with urinary tract infection and encrustation of catheters. This article will revise the pathophysiology of infection and encrustation and discuss management of suprapubic catheters based on current best practice. It is stressed that suprapubic catheters should only be considered once less invasive methods of maintaining bladder function have been exhausted as it is preferable for patients to manage incontinence with bladder training, pelvic floor exercises and continence products than to have a permanent indwelling catheter inserted.