Abstract: This report addresses the issue of computer literacy and its position in current nursing practice and nursing education.Two groups of nursing students in a three year Polytechnic provided programme were surveyed by questionnaire to gain information about their current computer usage. The first questionnaire was given to first year students at the end of the 1994 academic year. A basic self-paced word processing package was developed from the information. Following the teaching of the package to 1995 year students a questionnaire was given to this second group to gain information about the teaching programme and their intended computer use.A greater number of younger students were computer literate on course entry compared with mature students and personal computers were accessible to about 40% of students. Following completion of the computer package computers were being used by 8154 of the group for course work. Compared to approximately 44% of the previous (1994) group. It was concluded that the self paced package was a successful method of teaching basic computer literacy for the majority of students. However computer usage within the educational institution was affected by access to computers and the availability of computers and support personnel at times suitable for the student group. The findings had implications for the future planning of teaching progrrammes, computer access, and staffing for the Polytechnic, and recommendations addressed these issues

Abstract: This research project was undertaken with the aim of making teaching and learning processes in the first year of the programme explicit to ensure successful strategies could be replicated and limitations addressed. Action research methodology was utilized to explore which tutors and students the philosophy of teaching, the student/tutor relationship, preferred learning styles and teaching methods, and influences on student learning. Findings elucidated that the philosophy and teaching methods used in the programme were congruent with the goals of the Polytechnic,, the curriculum aims, and current nursing ideologies. Students preferred small group, interactive teaching, did not always rate their ability accurately, and tended to downgrade their ability and did progressively less preparatory work for classes as the year progressed. Factors that impacted on the learning of this mainly mature group were external to the programme and included paid employment, family responsibilities, unexpected life events, lack of time and/or space to study, and financial problems. The research was used to determine the structure of the first year of the 1994 Bachelor of Nursing programme which articulated more clearly the process and pathway for students to become self directed learners. The research process was challenging and provided many useful insights for tutors and students

Abstract: This chapter describes the development of a nurse-led after-hours telephone triage service in a rural secondary hospital in the Hawke's Bay District Health Board area. This service was a response to the health restructuring in the 1990s, which had led to the shift of secondary services out of the rural areas, and workforce recruitment issues. Secondly, it discusses the process and findings of a research project undertaken to identify and describe telephone callers' reported outcomes after using the service. The study found a high level of satisfaction amongst callers and a high level of compliance to advice.

Abstract: This dissertation explores the issues affecting the exposure of isolated rural nurses working in New Zealand to violence from members of the local community, including the visiting public. Discussion on the collaborative role with the New Zealand Police is thematic in the issues presented. Challenges presented include the unique community dynamics of the Stewart Island nursing practice on the Island, with scope of practice, isolation and practice issues included. Role definition, present-day health-care delivery, the potential for violence including causation and reporting are presented. Incident management and risk strategies, including de-escalation are rationalised and described. Evidence for the nurse-police inter-service relationship along with issues including confidentiality and legislation are reviewed. Recommendations and conclusion are provided. The thread and theme of the dissertation is to encourage discussion within nursing circles on the provision of satisfactory safety standards for nurses working in remote isolated parts of New Zealand.

Abstract: Confronts the inherent conflict for nurse managers (NM) in the dual nature of their leadership role, the Professional Practice Model (PPM) and the Generic Management Model (GMM). Examines the challenges for NMs in trying to balance the conflicting requirements of their roles. Surveys five NMs about their main challenges: role confusion, expectations, support, and professional development. Contributes to the ongoing evolution of the NM role.

Abstract: Attitudes towards the concept of professionalism have not been explored to any great extent in this country, especially the attitudes of the Clinical Nurse practitioner. The importance of knowing what Nurses attitudes are to this concept is central to the recognition of the current developmental stage and growth of the profession. A twenty statement Like-style attitudinal questionnaire was given to Registered Nurses to measure current attitudes to professionalism. No statistical significance was found between the degree of positively to professionalism and years of service, educational qualifications eg, practise area, or involvement with a professional organisation. There appeared to be a positive relationship between questionnaire score and length of time in the current practise area ( the longer the service the higher the score). Further statistical significance was found in questions highlighting what Nurses think of Nursing as a profession. This study should form the basis of further research and provide some thought for Nurse leaders, educators and policy makers