Abstract: Aims to provide practical guidance for health-care providers to ensure the safe and effective administration of intramuscular injections, when there is the potential for violence and agitation, as well as during personal restraint. Undertakes a realist review of the evidence comparing the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal sites.

Abstract: Aims to identify the cognitive skills required of surgical nurses to rescue the deteriorating patient, and to elicit insight into the potential errors in decision-making inexperienced nurses commonly make in the same situation. Conducts three sequential in-depth interviews with six experienced surgical nurses to identify five cognitive demands required of nurses to ascertain deterioration and the cognitive skills necessary to respond to these cognitive demands: the task diagram interview, the knowledge audit interview and the simulation interview.

Abstract: Aims to establish evidence-based oral care guidelines for nurses, in order to improve oral care for dependent adults. Considers how interprofessional collaboration and education (IPC/IPE) might improve nursing oral care practice. Intends to use guidelines in a pilot programme with community nurses caring for older adults living at home or in aged residential care.

Abstract: Aim: To determine the feasibility of establishing a nurse practitioner-led, family focused, primary health care clinic within a primary school environment as an alternate or complementary way of addressing the health needs of 'at risk' children and families to the services already provided by the public health nurse.Method: Utilising needs analysis method, data was collected from three sources – known demographic data, 17 key informant interviews and two focus group interviews. Questions were asked regarding the health needs of the community, the perceptions of participants regarding the role of the public health nurse in order to determine if a public health nurse would be the most appropriate person to lead a primary health care clinic, and the practicalities of establishing a clinic including services participants would expect a clinic to provide. Analysis was descriptive and exploratory.Results: A wide range of health needs were identified from both the demographic data and from participant interviews. Findings also showed that participant's understanding of the role of the public health nurse was not great and that community expectations were such that for a public health nurse to lead a primary health care clinic further skills would be required. Outcomes from investigating the practicalities of establishing a nurse practitioner-led clinic resulted in the preparation of a community-developed model that would serve to address the health needs of children and families in the area the study was undertaken.Conclusion: Overall findings indicated that the establishment of a nurse practitioner-led, family focused, primary health care clinic in a primary school environment is feasible. While a public health nurse may fulfil the role of the nurse practitioner, it was established that preparation to an advanced level of practice would be required. It is likely that a similar model would also be successful in other communities in New Zealand, however the health needs identified in this study are specific to the community studied. Further community needs assessments would need to be completed to ensure health services target health needs specific to the communities involved.

Abstract: Addresses the concerns of health professionals working collaboratively in palliative care. Conducts 25 interviews wit 23 participants to arrive at a theory of sharing time to explain the social process of collaboration while individually managing and maintaining their own areas of concern. Explains the concept of health professionals making time in their work days for and with each other to find common ground.

Abstract: Accountability has been described by nurses as an elusive concept or myth. The author suggests that this elusive concept or myth can partly be attributed to accountability becoming visible usually following a critical incident. The overall goal of this project is to provide nurses working within mental health with the incentive to raise their awareness and explore what their roles and responsibilities are within the accountability process in a more positive scenario. This research paper reports on an exploration of the key components of accountability within the New Zealand mental health environment. It describes significant influences that affect accountability. This is achieved by the means of a literature review, sharing of the author's experience of being involved in a national inquiry, and the adaptation of a who what and how framework, in conjunction with a diagram displaying accountability levels and lines for mental health nurses. The author points out that the domains of accountability for nurses will continue to evolve and expand but what remains important is that consumers have access to good quality mental health care.

Abstract: A workplace safety study of district nurses in New Zealand was conducted to explore personal safety experiences. A qualitative methodology informed by Critical Social Theory was employed. This paper details the findings and implications derived from data collected from six district nurses in two urban New Zealand health services who recalled incidents in which they felt their personal safety was compromised. Data were collected through individual interviews and a focus group discussion with the participants. Data analysis revealed two-fold risks to nurse safety; these were associated with client behaviour as well as risks embedded in the organisational structure. The findings suggest a number of practical issues involving basic security measures require urgent attention. The complex power relationships that shape the experience of nursing in a community impinged on the ability of the nurses in this study to confidently and safely fulfil their role. An organisational commitment to a culture of safety would help address the powerlessness experienced by district nurses.

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.