Abstract: Investigated final-year nursing students' perception of the effectiveness of a ward-based simulation learning activity using actor patients. Conducts focus group interviews after the simulation and three months later after clinical placement. Identifies three themes: decreasing the theory-practice gap; decision-making; nursing behaviour.

Abstract: Explores, through kaupapa Māori (Māori ideology) research principles, the fundamental concepts guiding ten Māori nurses working in end-of-life care settings. Identifies the concepts of whanaungatanga (establishing connections), manaakitanga (generosity and care for others), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) as central to the practice of these Māori nurses along with the ethical principles of tika (the right way), pono (honesty) and aroha (generosity of spirit). Describes how these concepts and principles shape how these Māori nurses cared for their Māori patients and whānau, and for themselves. Stresses the need for the health system to better understand the Maori world view on death and dying.

Abstract: Parent-infant skin-to-skin care has become an advocated aspect of care in neonatal intensive care units nationally within New Zealand and internationally. However the implementation of this care by nurses can be limited by a number of factors within the practice environment. This dissertation presents a critical analysis of literature alongside reflection on the author's own practice experience to explore factors that may be constraining the use of skin-to-skin care with the very low birth weight infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. These factors are examined through a lens of risk taking behaviour underpinned by the grounded theory work of Dobos (1992). The concept of risk is explored in order to develop an understanding of why, in the author's view, the practice of skin-to-skin care of very low birth weight infants may have declined in recent years. For neonatal nurses skin-to-skin care of the very low birth weight infant presents challenges related to the environment, physiological stability of the infant and changes over the past 10 years in the clinical management of very low birth weight infants. As progress is made toward the design, development and eventual move to a new unit in Dunedin recommendations pertaining to the change in physical space, the introduction of a structured model for nursing care and implications for nursing practice development in relation to skin-to-skin care are described.

Abstract: In this article the author discusses the New Zealand legislation aimed at protecting the individual's right to privacy and concludes that practice may place healthcare consumers' rights at risk. While patient privacy should be of concern to all health professionals, the focus here is on the nurse's role in relation to recently formulated competencies published by the Nursing Council of New Zealand, which includes the recommendation that care be seen to exhibit an awareness of healthcare consumers' rights to privacy alongside the expectation that nurses question practices that compromise patient privacy.

Abstract: This research uses focus group methodology to examine the public health nursing practice with children living with a mentally ill parent. These children are often neglected, yet are at increased risk of developing mental illnesses themselves. The research data identified the burgeoning impact on public health nurses of such care, and found their role to be primarily assessment and advocacy.

Abstract: The use of massage by nurses is a popular activity in many fields of nursing practice. The last ten to fifteen years have seen a rising popularity in the literature. Whilst the literature within nursing is plentiful it often does not present the empirical evidence necessary to support nursing actions. The objective of this analysis is to present the extant literature discussing soft tissue massage from a Western health perspective. Massage has first been contextualised as an ancient as well as modern healing activity. There is evidence of early modern medical interest in the therapeutic benefits of massage for a number of ailments. From this contextual perspective it is then possible to track the evolution of modern complementary health practices since 1980, and the professional and practical issues surrounding their use. Against the backdrop of twenty-first century health care there is increased evidence of the importance of maintaining the human aspect of caring, and massage is seen as an ideal way to provide this. The author argues that the discipline of modern nursing must increase its awareness of the empirical evidence around the use of massage, to provide safe and effective nursing care. This physiological and psychological evidence is presented and critiqued, based on the principles of evidence-based practice. This critique has enabled some sound research-based practical statements on the effects of massage to be made. These statements will enhance the practice of massage within a nursing context. The final part of the journey has been to explore the actual practice of massage within nursing, including the current use of massage by a sample of New Zealand nurses. The educational opportunities have also been presented, alongside some main professional issues. Massage can now be viewed as a legitimate nursing tool that has value in a range of nursing settings by enhancing the quality of patient care. The techniques are easy to learn, simple to perform and do not add undue workload to nurses. The author notes that there is a considerable amount of literature to support this, but the quest for further knowledge cannot be ignored.