Abstract: The concept and characteristics of advanced nursing practice in New Zealand and overseas is compared with the nurse practitioner role. There is an international debate over definitions of advanced nursing and the range of roles that have developed. The rationale for the nurse practitioner role in New Zealand is examined, along with the associated legislation currently before Parliament. Job titles and roles of nurses within the Waikato Hospital intensive care unit are discussed and ways of developing the role of nurse practitioner are presented.

Abstract: The concepts of self care of health (the goal of self care) are explored in relation to the self care nursing model. It is a basic premise of this model that the client be involved to the fullest possible extent in regarding or developing self care skills. It is proposed that individuals differ in respect to their readiness of such involvement and effort in their own health work and, hence, inability to benefit from the application of the self care nursing model. The study aimed at developing a means of identifying and predicting these differences. It was hypothesised that the individuals perceptions and beliefs about heath, his attribution about the location of blame for illness and the extent to which he perceives himself as having control over the contingencies of his behaviour, would all systematically influence his readiness to engage in self care. A health questionnaire designed to obtain data on individual health related beliefs and practices was constructed. This was mailed to a random sample of non-academic staff from one of the universities. A combination of univariate and multivariate analyses of the 86 completed questionnaires showed four major variables to be significantly interrelated. The pattern of relationships which emerge between responses to other items in the questionnaire cast further light on the complex determinants of health behaviour. Of particular interest is the suggestion that the way health is defined is a crucial factor. Use of the principal axes method of factor allowed a shortened version of the original questionnaire to be produced. The profile yielded by scores on this instrument, not only describes the client in terms of four major health related variables, but can also be used to predict readiness to benefit from a self care nursing approach

Abstract: The delivery of palliative care within contemporary New Zealand society is discussed, in the light of the recent publication of The New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy (2001). The viewpoint taken is largely descriptive rather than prescriptive, being based on a literature survey of international research and academic theory, which is also informed by the author's professionally gained knowledge. Four different perspectives, comprising a mix of providers and recipients of care are investigated: those of central government planning; specialist palliative care units; aged-care complexes; and patients, family and whanau. As an area of healthcare which current demographic projections indicate will become increasingly significant, the provision of palliative care to residents of and patients within aged-care complexes receives special attention. A metaphor of “parallel travellers” on “parallel journeys” is used to provide a thematic basis to the paper. The lived experiences and perceptions of each group of “parallel travellers” are explored. Difficulties in defining and evaluating palliative care, the implications of main-streaming, the scope of palliative care provision, the educative role of specialist palliative care providers and the current focus on mechanistic outcome measures are discussed. It is contended that the values and goals, both explicit and implicit, of the four specified groups may not at present be sufficiently congruent to optimise the effective provision of palliative care from the point of view of all concerned. While adequate resourcing and a genuinely collaborative approach among healthcare providers are both acknowledged to be critical, the potential for palliative care nurse practitioners to be appointed to the role of “care co-ordinator” alluded to within The New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy (2001), is also seen as pivotal. Insights from a postmodern perspective are offered as one possible way of achieving greater congruence.

Abstract: The development of generic statutory roles in mental health care has been the subject of discussion by New Zealand nurses for the past decade. One such role is that of second health professional in judicial reviews of civil commitment. Issues identified by New Zealand nurses have also been raised in England, where it seems that nurses are likely to assume the role of Approved Mental Health Worker under English mental health law. A survey of mental health nurses found that few had received any preparation for the role of second health professional and 45% did not feel adequately prepared for the role. Some of these issues are reflected in a New Zealand inquiry which resulted in the Ministry of Health developing a written report form for second health professionals. However, the form has the potential to reduce the mental health nursing role to a narrow legal role. Statutory roles such as that of second health professional challenge mental health nurses to critically reflect on the conceptual and ethical basis of their practice. While traditional concepts such as therapeutic relationships and advocacy need to be reviewed in light of these changes, nurses need to be vigilant in articulating the moral and clinical basis of their roles. The development of guidelines for the second health professional role is suggested as a way of supporting clinical practice in this area.

Abstract: The educational framework used to teach pharmacology to nurses by one university in New Zealand is presented, along with early findings on the effectiveness of this approach. Nurse prescribing is relatively new in New Zealand and is related to the expanding roles and opportunities for nurses in health care. Opposition to nurse prescribing in New Zealand has been marked and often this has been linked to concerns over patient safety with the implication that nurses could not be adequately prepared for safe prescribing.

Abstract: The experience of loneliness within a people-centered profession has supported nursings silencing and invisibility. A literature expedition through communication texts and journals led to an awareness of the paucity of literature which explores and acknowledges how we dialogue together, rather than the more fashionable focus on how we should communicate with others.

Abstract: The extent of early remediable morbidity after critical illness is unclear. We began a follow-up service to determine outcomes, facilitate rehabilitation and remedy service deficiencies. A critical care nurse identified hospital survivors (DCCM and hospital databases), completed a structured telephone interview with the patient and intervened according to predetermined guidelines. Of 261 admission 1/1/95 29/3/95 50 died in hospital (39in DCCM). Of 211 hospital survivors (M115, age 15-84 median40) 31 could not be contacted, one died at home and 179 contacts were made 21- 120 (median 51) days after DCCM. One refused interview, 178 interviews took 8-60, (median 15) minutes. Only 68/178 had resumed normal activities and 26/78 workers had returned to work. Seventy patients had contacted general practitioners because of critical illness sequelae. One hundred patients gad 191 problems (including unhealed wounds29, pain 28, impaired mobility26, neurological deficit 178, infection 10 weight loss 9, tiredness 6 depression 5, sleep disturbance 3, others 57). Sixty-five described DCCM staff as helpful, 37 had complaints (hallucinations 6, staff behaviour5, restraints5 sedation/analgesia inadequate5 or excessive 2, poor communication3, fear3, noise 2 other 4) and 5 raised serious non-DCCM issues. Forty-four patients were called again 6-84, median 42 days later when 69/112 health problems had resolved but 29/44 patients had not resumed normal activity. Four attended a clinic and were referred to other services. A follow-up service is well received. Morbidity is common but improves within three months after critical care. We are addressing service issues

Abstract: The focus for this research was nursing culture satisfaction and intent to remain working within a secondary hospital in the New Zealand public healthcare system. A specific group of 117 registered and enrolled nurses were surveyed to identify what issues would encourage them to remain working within the organisation. Descriptive data derived from the Nursing Culture Satisfaction Questionnaire found higher levels of job satisfaction and intention to stay from the staff in operating theatre, compared to other surveyed areas. Factors reported as contributing to job satisfaction included supportive, friendly staff, teamwork, and organisation size. Important issues regarding recruitment and retention include pay parity, personal satisfaction, conditions of employment, the valuing of staff and poor nurse patient ratios. Findings suggest that hospital management should foster positive work environments and respect, to promote job satisfaction and discourage nurses leaving the organisation. While pay parity was a large issue at the time of the questionnaire, the inclusion of the district health board in the nurse Multi Employer Collective Agreement may have reduced this as a contributing factor.