Abstract: This paper focuses on the history of Plunket nursing and Truby King's ideology and other dominant ideologies, during the years 1905 – 1920. To provide a context, the paper explores the development of a new nursing speciality – Plunket nursing, that became part of the backbone of a fledgling health system and the New Zealand nursing profession. Correspondingly, Truby King presented the country with a vision for improving infant welfare underpinned by his eugenics view of the world and his experimentation with infant feeding. The author argues that nurses were drawn to the work of the newly created Plunket Society and that the Society had lasting influence on the development of nursing in New Zealand.

Abstract: Forensic mental health nursing roles have developed along different lines in the United States and the United Kingdom. The authors suggest that New Zealand nurses consider the evolution of such roles here.

Abstract: This study using action research involving twelve registered nurses worked toward improving nursing care in an acute mental health in-patient service. Following focus groups with consumers, families, nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, the action research group developed projects over eighteen months to improve continuity and consistency of nursing care. There was a subsequent restructuring of nursing service to better define leadership, accountability and to strengthen care delivery. The second half of the thesis involves a critical social analysis of the research data and produces a theory of mental health nursing which, the author suggests, has wide application in practice.

Abstract: The author uses his personal and professional experience to explore the application of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in caring for people who experience psychosis. Psychosis can be a life-threatening illness; about one in ten young men with psychosis will take their own lives. Much of the progress in treatment has been predicated on a biological explanation of psychosis. The late 1990s have seen increasing interest in psychological approaches in the treatment of psychosis; not withstanding that this treatment does not work for all people. The first aim of this research report is to develop understanding about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, through exploration of its origins and examining the theoretical basis and reviewing the evidence that may support its use. The second aim is to explore the evidence around mental health nurses' training and use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, by critically examining some of the major UK and Australian reports. The author considers that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is theoretically and pragmatically compatible with contemporary nursing practice, and will have increasing prominence for New Zealand mental health nurses.

Abstract: This thesis explores three Muslim women's experience of childbirth, in a setting surrounded by health professionals who largely have little understanding of their culture. Various forms of narrative such as a letter, excerpts from conversations, and interviews, have been used in presenting this research. The women's stories reveal that giving birth in a cross-cultural setting is stressful. The women had to adjust to an environment which challenged their beliefs and values, in one case with no extended family or cultural support. This stress is long lasting as evidenced in the women's stories. Given the opportunity to tell their story, all the women highlighted both the positive and negative aspects of their birth experiences. This thesis identifies situations that heightened the vulnerability of the women, and highlights the uniqueness of each woman. It concludes by identifying recommendations and reading material for nurses and midwives in education or practice.

Abstract: This thesis presents an explorative study of the place of caring in bioethics. Through the examination of various sources of literature from the disciplines of nursing, feminist theory and ethics, and bioethics, a case is developed that argues for a valid respected place for caring, as an ethic of care in bioethical decision-making. The case is built by providing evidence to support the fundamental importance of caring to human life, health, relationships, and survival at the broad societal level. This is presented from the feminist and nursing perspectives, along with a critique of the negative aspects of caring practices. The next stage of the case presents a layout of the discipline of bioethics, using an historical perspective to illuminate the influences of bioethics' deep past, as it still affects the discipline in the present. The development of contemporary bioethics' current status is presented along with critiques from bioethicists themselves, and nursing and feminist theory and ethics. In the case at this point, from a bioethical perspective, two major predicaments appear to prevent an ethic of care obtaining a valid place in ethical decision-making in bioethics. These are the justice/care duality, and the conflict between different conceptions of care and autonomy. The bioethical objections and arguments put forward regarding these predicaments are examined and refuted, and the author suggests a case is established for the inclusion of an ethic of care in bioethical decision-making.