Abstract: Health professionals, as well as clients, appear to often miss, ignore or avoid alcohol as a health problem. Changes in role for Nurses as well as changes in concepts of alcoholism, alcohol and alcohol control especially in sociological terms led to this study of Nurse's attitudes to alcohol as a social issue. Aim was to shed light on the adequacy of Nurses to function in the community and in the application of sociologically oriented programs of alcohol control. 44 Student Nurses on the point of entering clinical practise were questioned on 21 attitude items. Their responses were compared to those of 100 respondents selected as comparable demographically from 10,000 New Zealanders surveyed in 1978-79 by A.L.A.C. Differences were found, but no strong profile of distinctive 'nurse' views could be identified with confidence. No real extra concern for alcohol issues could be established giving some doubts about the efficiency of Nurses in the workplace. Nurses did differ in some areas of social viewpoints from the general New Zealand population but further studies are needed to more exactly define dimensions of these differences

Abstract: A study of the care given by Nurses measuring the quantity of care available against the quantity demanded by the patients at the time of survey

Abstract: In October, 1986 the fifteen technical institutes that run Nursing programs in New Zealand were sent questionnaire that were designed to find out about the Nursing Research Component in the Diploma of Nursing, The Advanced Diploma of Nursing and other Nursing Courses. The same questions were asked of each of these courses. Twelve replies were received and eleven were analysed in this report. Two general observations emerged from the Diploma of Nursing: 1. The questionnaires varied greatly in the detail provided in answers. 2. Where there were small numbers enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing, the questionnaire answers suggest there is less emphasis placed on Nursing research as a separate component in the course. This small project provides us with some information about the Nursing Research Component in the Diploma of Nursing courses offered in New Zealand

Abstract: The progress of 22 adult patients was recorded for three days post operatively. Pain was assessed at rest and on activity three times a day using visual analogues. Nausea levels were assessed similarly. All analgesics and anti emetics administered were recorded. There was a wide range of variation in the administration of medications and consequently a wide range of effectiveness. A significant proportion of patients showed unacceptably high levels of pain indicating under treatment. Patients and nurses had conflicting expectations of who should initiate the request for pain medication

Abstract: Nurses at a New Zealand Metropolitan Hospital were surveyed to determine whether the following factors affected their desire to participate in continuing education. Age, Family responsibilities, reading of Journals/Health literature related to Nursing, attendance of in service/staff development programs, careers aims and intended number of years to remain in Nursing. 30 Nurses were requested to participate in the research project. They were either registered General and Obstetric Nurses or Registered Comprehensive Nurses and 15 worked full time while 15 worked part time. Null hypotheses were formulated and tested because it is recognised that Nurses have a professional responsibility to maintain their knowledge and expertise and to do this in a Health Care system and society that is continually changing there must be a commitment to life long continuing education. Therefore , I thought it would be of interest to determine whether certain factors influenced Nurses' desire to participate in continuing education. With the factors of Age, Family responsibilities, hours of work, number of years registered reading of Journals/Health literature related to Nursing, and intended number of years to remain in Nursing there was no significant difference (p> 0.10) in the desire to participate in continuing education, as was Nurses basic qualification (p< 0.05) With the factor of attendance of in service/ Staff development programs there doesn't appear to be any significant difference and with career plans the sample expected frequencies were too small for statistical analysis

Abstract: A telephone survey on peoples' perceptions of health services in the Nelson district. Conducted in conjunction with Graeme Taylor (Psychologist) and other members of NZNA,