Abstract: This article reports a study that sought to understand the experience of a group of Caucasian men with end stage renal failure managing their own haemodialysis therapy in their homes. The study used a critical interpretive methodology. The renal setting was critically viewed as a specialised health care context constituted by several interrelated discourses. Although established by the dominant professional discourse, it also includes a number of others, in particular an obscure client discourse that is a response to the dominant discourse. Initially, participants' own interpretations of their individual experiences were outlined. These were then collectively reinterpreted by contextualising them in terms of the critical view of the renal setting, in order to discern their own views as renal clients that were obscured by the language and ideas of the dominant discourse with which they had been enculturated. From an analysis of the set of accounts derived from interviews with six participants, four concerns of the renal client discourse were identified. These concerns were: (1) suffering from continuing symptoms of end stage renal failure and dialysis; (2) limitations resulting from negotiating dialysis into their lifestyle; (3) ongoingness and uncertainty of life on dialysis; and (4) altered relationship between autonomy and dependence inherent in living on dialysis. One specific implication of this study is that the distinctive potential of the nursing role in renal settings lies beyond the performance of a range of technical tasks, in addressing the experience of people living on dialysis, described here as the concerns of the renal client discourse.

Abstract: The first New Zealand hospital palliative care support service was established in 1985. Different service models have now been adopted by various major hospitals. In 1998, a palliative care service, funded by Mary Potter Hospice, was piloted at Wellington Public Hospital. Twelve months post-implementation, the hospital staff's views of the service were evaluated. It was found that referrals to palliative care from hospital specialities outside the Cancer Centre increased. While most doctors, nurses and social workers strongly agreed or agreed that the service positively influenced patients' care and effectively addressed their symptom management needs, spiritual needs were less often met. Over 90 percent of each discipline strongly agreed or agreed that the service had assisted them in caring for patients, but, only about a half agreed that useful discharge planning advice and staff support was provided. Significant differences in responses were found between different disciplines and specialities. One fifth of the staff identified palliative care education needs. Recommendations are made concerning the development of a future hospital palliative care service.

Abstract: This paper explores a discursive approach to understanding women's depression by presenting the results of research into women's narratives of their experiences. The discursive approach taken acknowledges women's immersion in cultural practices that determine the subject positions available to them and places a value on attributes of reflexivity and detachment that are not usually associated with their performance. The social and cultural context of the individual's experience is significant because if the focus is simply on the individual this supposes that the problem lies solely with the individual. An understanding of cultural expectations and their relation to mental distress is important to mental health nursing practice. The psychotherapeutic relationship that is fundamental to mental health nursing practice requires an understanding of the meaning of individual's responses in their cultural context in order to provide facilitative and meaningful care for the women that they nurse.

Abstract: The author examines influences on contemporary dementia specific nursing practice. She addresses the current situation and future developments in this area.

Abstract: This article outlines some of the health experiences and concerns of people with physical and/or mental disabilities. These experiences and concerns are explored within the context of the practice of cultural safety. In 1996, the Nursing Council of New Zealand adopted its definition of cultural safety and defines 'culture', in the context of 'cultural safety', as involving all people who are not part of the culture of nursing. Each person with a disability is unique, and they may also be part of a larger disability culture, which has its own shared experiences, values, beliefs and lifestyles. People with disabilities are also a minority within the population. Therefore, any power they might have within their own culture is minimal, compared to the advantages enjoyed by the rest of the population.

Abstract: The aim of this research was to explore surveillance discourses within New Zealand child health nursing and to identify whether surveillance practices have implications in this context for power relations. Five experienced and practising Plunket nurses were each interviewed twice. The texts generated by these semi-structured interviews were analysed using a Foucauldian approach to critical discourse analysis. In contrast with the conventional view of power as held and wielded by one party, this study revealed that, in the Plunket nursing context, power is exercised in various and unexpected ways. Although the relationship between the mother and the nurse cannot be said to operate as a partnership, it is constituted in the nurses' discourses as a dynamic relationship in which the mother is actively engaged on her own terms. The effect of this is that it is presented by the nurses as a precarious relationship that has significant implications for the success of their work.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the services that community mental health nurses provide are meeting the needs of consumers in the community. This was a joint project between nurses and consumers. It was a service-specific descriptive research project utilising qualitative methods of data collection and analysis that provides a model for working in partnership. The results of this research identify collaboration in planning care and sharing information as two areas of concern but generally the consumers were very satisfied with the care provided by community mental health nurses. The analysis of the data suggests that consumers value nursing care because nurses provide support in their own home; they help consumers develop strategies for coping with their illness and their life; they provide practical assistance when it is required; they are vigilant about any deterioration or improvement; and they are available and accessible. The results of this study have demonstrated that nurses will remain critical to the success of community-based care because of their ability and willingness to be flexible to the demands of their own organisation and the users of services.