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Litchfield, M., & Ross, J. (2000). The role of rural nurses: National survey. Christchurch: Centre for Rural Health.
Abstract: A survey was used to reach as many nurses as possible involved with nursing in “rural” areas throughout New Zealand and to build a profile of nurses involved in the provision of healthcare beyond the urban centres. The contact also sought to inform nurses of the rural healthcare project and encourage them to contribute their experience to the development of health services in the new health service structure. Data is presented on the characteristics and employment conditions of nurses and access to resources including information technology. The inadequacy of information on the rural nurse workforce is identified: nurse roles are historically defined yet employment patterns are changing according to the workforce demands of new structures, and the existing definitions of rural health service design and delivery are only in terms of general medical practices and on-call coverage. Recommendations are made for definitions of “rurality” and “rural nurse” that will allow a more useful depiction of the nurse workforce.
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Becker, F. (2005). Recruitment & retention: Magnet hospitals. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: International nursing literature indicates nursing shortages are widely recognised; however efforts to remedy poor recruitment and retention of nurses have been largely unsuccessful. This paper presents the predominant factors influencing poor recruitment and retention of nurses, such as: the image of nursing as a career, pay and conditions of employment, educational opportunities, management and decision making, and low morale and then explores how Magnet hospitals address these factors. During the 1980s, several hospitals in the United States were identified as being able to attract nursing staff when others could not, they became known as 'Magnet' hospitals. The American Nurse Credentialing Centre developed the Magnet Recognition programme to accredit hospitals that meet comprehensive criteria to support and develop excellence in nursing services. Magnet hospitals not only attract and retain satisfied nursing staff, but also have improved patient outcomes compared to non-Magnet hospitals, such as decreased patient morbidity and mortality and increased patient satisfaction. The successes of the Magnet Recognition programme in recruitment and retention of nurses is discussed in relation to its transferability outside of the United States, particularly to New Zealand as a way of improving recruitment and retention of nurses here.
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Leeks, O. (2007). Lesbian health: Identifying the barriers to health care. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Homosexuality has been practiced since ancient times, but through the centuries this expression of sexual identity has moved from being acceptable to unacceptable and finally regarded in a contemporary era as a mental health problem that needed to be, and it was thought could be, cured. This paper focuses on the barriers that lesbian women perceive when wanting to access health care. Most of the research about lesbian women has been conducted in the United States with some in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Through reviewing the available literature and grouping common themes, the author identifies three main barriers to health care that exist for lesbian women. Firstly, ignorance or insensitivity of the health care professional about the specific health care needs of this client group; secondly, homophobia or heterosexism that may be present in the health care environment; and thirdly the risk of disclosing one's sexual orientation. These barriers are discussed using the concepts of cultural safety and nursing partnership. The author concludes that the negative health care experiences that lesbian women encounter leave them feeling vulnerable and fearful. This fear and stigmatisation has resulted in lesbian women becoming an 'invisible' community. It is the assumption of heterosexuality that immediately places the lesbian woman at a disadvantage and this potentially may produce missed opportunities to provide individualised care to the lesbian client. The purpose of this work is to encourage discussion within nursing to challenge attitudes and the approach to women who identify as lesbian. The author hopes that this paper will contribute to the increasing body of knowledge in regard to this client group.
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Dent, G. W. (2008). Mental health nurses' knowledge and views on talking therapies in clinical practice. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Using a qualitative descriptive research design, this study explored nurses' knowledge and views on their talking therapy training and skills in practice. The study examined the use of talking therapies, or specialised interpersonal processes, embodied within the Te Ao Maramatanga: New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses Inc (2004) Standards of Practice for Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand. A survey questionnaire was sent to 227 registered nurses from a district health hoard mental health service and a sample of eight nurses participated in a semi-structured interview. Content analysis based on the headings “knowledge views, skill acquisition and skill transfer” established the major themes from the data collection processes. The findings confirmed that nurses believe their knowledge and skills in evidence-based talking therapies to be vitally important in mental health nursing practice. Nurses identified that talking therapy training courses needed to be clinically relevant and that some learning strategies were advantageous. The identification of some knowledge gaps for, nurses with limited post graduate experience, and for nurses who currently work in inpatient areas suggests that further consideration must be given to ensure that a cohesive, sustainable approach is ensured for progression of workforce development projects relevant to training in talking therapies for mental health nurses in New Zealand.
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