Abstract: This paper outlines the historical development of the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing programme. The paper discusses the multiple contextual considerations for the programme in terms of New Zealand health policy direction, academic level, and appropriate level of competency development for nurses new to primary health care and newly graduated nurses.

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: The objectives of this study were to explore the concept of the 'health-promoting school' in a specific New Zealand context; to develop and use appropriate research methods to assess a single low decile school in relation to World Health Organization health-promoting school components and checkpoints; to work with the school community to identify health issues; and, to record external and internal changes that could impact on school health over a finite time period. Case study was selected as the most appropriate method to collect both quantitative and qualitative evidence with the aim of providing a clear understanding of the particular case. Results confirmed that the school was working appropriately within the scope of their educational practice to provide a health-promoting school environment for the school community. Gaps and issues identified included an element of talking past each other between the cultures of the education organisation and the nominated health service provider respectively that contributed to a lack of appropriate and accessible health service delivery for the school population. Teaching staff considered that they had insufficient access to health knowledge, and input from health service staff did not meet health education requirements for the school. Staff preference for increased school nurse involvement was not realised. The consequence was that two outside agencies (KiwiCan and Life Education Trust) delivered the bulk of the Health and Physical Education curriculum which resulted in a degree of fragmentation of health education for students. The issues that were identified demonstrated that health services in the area were not satisfactorily meeting the needs of the community and were not addressing the health inequities for the predominantly Pacific Island and Maori students and of their families that formed the school community. The researcher concluded that a full-service school approach should be considered by the school and the local district health board as one way to overcome the current lack of access to health services for the school community. Assertions included the potential integration of locally available services by a school-based nurse coordinator supported by health professionals (nurse practitioner and Pacific Island Community Health Worker) and social workers. The vision included professionals working within their professional scopes of practice as part of a Primary Health Organisation with the aim of appropriately addressing the health inequities experienced by the school population.

Abstract: Introduction Critically ill patients cannot clean their own teeth. A variety of methods are used but as the best method is unknown we performed a prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial of three methods.Method Of 359 consecutive admissions to the Department of Critical Care Medicine between 31/01/97 and 25/05/97, 222 were excluded (62 edentulous, 6 unexaminable, 142 transferred alive and 12 dead or dying at 24 hours). The remaining 137 patients had quantitative (picture-linked, ordinal score) assessment of caries, peridontal status and plaque (in 12 segments of teeth) before randomisation (to the use of either toothbrush, jumbo swab or sonic toothbrush) by pre-assigned sealed envelopes. All teeth were cleaned (prescribed four hourly) with 0.2% chlorhexidine solution. Daily plaque scores were obtained (by an assessor (SC) blind to treatment allocation) until withdrawal, death or transfer.Results Toothbrush Jumboswab SonicPatients assigned 50 48 39Withdrawn within 24hrs. 9 3 5Patients remaining 41 45 34Percentage of teeth segments thatare pristine: pre treatment 45 50 51 after 2 days 74 57 90 F(2.63) = 5.00 p = 0.0097 More withdrawals for patient noncompliance after randomisation occurred in the sonic group (5/34 versus 3/86). Conclusion. By the second day the sonic toothbrush was the most effective in plaque removal with the toothbrush the next most effective method

Abstract: This article describes the management of the therapeutic relationship, that is set up between nurses or midwives and those in their care. It reviews the responsibilities of the health practitioner, and looks at issues around boundaries, confidentiality and accountability. It also looks at the role senior colleagues can play in ensuring this intentional relationship is managed professionally.

Abstract: This article backgrounds the professional development programme instigated at Auckland Hospital in 1988, and reviews the achievements of the past 10 years. It describes PDP and distinguishes it from a clinical career pathway. Specific indicators were used to assess the achievement of the programme, and these are presented. Overall the programme achieved it's outcomes and at a reasonable cost.

Abstract: This paper reports a study to investigate the roles and experiences of nurses caring for clients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Nurses are in a potentially unique position in the assisted reproductive technology environment as they maintain a more constant contact with the client. A qualitative approach was taken and a convenience sample of 15 nurses from New Zealand was interviewed in 2005. Data were analysed using interpretive description. The overarching theme identified was that of the potential role of the nurse to 'hold together' multiple components of the assisted reproductive technology process: holding together clients' emotional and physical experiences of assisted reproductive technologies; holding together the roles of different specialist team members; and holding together personal own emotions. It encompasses practices such as information-giving, interpreting, supporting and advocating. The researchers note that recognition of and support for the complexity of the role of ART nurses may positively contribute to clients' experiences.