Abstract: This article is presented in two parts. In the first, an outline of Heidegger's approach to phenomenology is offered. A basic premise of hermeneutic phenomenology is that people make sense of the world through the narratives they tell to themselves and to others. When the researcher uses this philosophical approach, persons communicate their experiences; the researcher interprets the experience and communicates that understanding in writing. In the second part of the paper, the experiences of four people whose partners were hospitalised out of town is described.

Abstract: Conducts interviews with five adults, aged 85 or over, to discover how they expressed and negotiated independence and autonomy in their daily lives, and when in contact with the health-care system. Aims to provide health-care professionals with information regarding independence, autonomy and decision-making when caring for older adults. Groups the findings into three themes: independence, past and present; autonomy and decision-making; and health. Provides evidence of older adults living self-determined lives.

Abstract: This thesis concerns an investigation of the tripartite arrangements between the government, the nursing and the medical sectors in New Zealand over the period 1984 to 2001 with a particular focus on primary health care. The start point is the commencement of the health reforms instituted by the Fourth New Zealand Labour Government of 1984. The thesis falls within a framework of critical inquiry, specifically, the methodology of depth hermeneutics (Thompson, 1990), a development of critical theory. The effects of political and economic policies and the methodologies of neo-liberal market reform are examined together with the concept of collaboration as an ideological symbolic form, typical of enterprise culture. The limitations of economic models such as public choice theory, agency theory and managerialism are examined from the point of view of government strategies and their effects on the relationships between the nursing and medical professions. The influence of American health care policies and their partial introduction into primary health care in New Zealand is traversed in some detail, together with the experiences of health reform in several other countries. Post election 1999, the thesis considers the effect of change of political direction consequent upon the election of a Labour Coalition government and concludes that the removal of the neo-liberal ethic by Labour may terminate entrepreneurial opportunities in the nursing profession. The thesis considers the effects of a change to Third Way political direction on national health care policy and on the medical and nursing professions. The data is derived from various texts and transcripts of interviews with 12 health professionals and health commentators. The histories and current relationships between the nursing and medical professions are examined in relation to their claims to be scientific discourses and it is argued that the issue of lack of recognition as a scientific discourse is at the root of nursing's perceived inferiority to medicine. This is further expanded in a discussion at the end of the thesis where the structure of the two professions is compared and critiqued. A conclusion is drawn that a potential for action exists to remedy the deficient structure of nursing. The thesis argues that this is the major issue which maintains nursing in the primary sector in a perceived position of inferiority to medicine. The thesis also concludes that the role of government in this triangular relationship is one of manipulation to bring about necessary fundamental change in the delivery of health services at the lowest possible cost without materially strengthening the autonomy of the nursing or the medical professions.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to research the reasons for the dissatisfaction experienced by ten professional nurse-practitioners who chose to leave nursing to join the professions of law or medicine. The mnotivation for professional nurses to chose entry to these particular professions may in some way throw light upon the difficulties being experienced in attempts to bring about changes of an emancipatory nature in the nursing profession (Habermas, 1974). The approach for the study is hermeneutic phenomenology (Gadamer, 1975 – ; Heidegger, 1962)

Abstract: When professionals are employed in bureaucratic organisations they can expect to experience incongruence between their professional role conception and the bureaucratic demands of the organisation which lead to their experiencing role deprivation. Students of comprehensive Nursing programs during their preparation are socialised into a role consistent with their professional group when employed in Hospitals, are subjected to its bureaucratic administrative structure This study examines problems experienced by graduates of these programs, the way they cope with these problems and the extent of their role deprivation, 6 months after commencing employment in General hospitals. The result obtained by questionnaire and interview indicate the main problems are related to the provision of nursing Care, the organisation of Hospital and Communication. These problems prevent graduates from functioning as professional Nurses. Almost half considered they have been successful in resolving them. All graduates experienced a considerable magnitude of role deprivation. there are implications both for agencies and for those preparing Comprehensive Nurses

Abstract: The authors defines health assessment and argue that it is a tool nurses should be using as a means of improving health outcomes for clients. The skills involved in health assessments are analysed, and four levels of data gathering are identified. The authors present an historical perspective, tracing the development of these skills as they have been incorporated in nursing practice in North America and Australia.

Abstract: This article presents a literature review of current research on perioperative nursing. Research studies are summarised. Overall findings include that there is a lack of exposure to perioperative nursing in undergraduate level, that expert nurses in the operating theatre make a positive economic and social contribution to patient outcomes, and there are barriers to registered nurses expanding their role in operating theatres.