Abstract: Backgrounds the primary health care initiative, the Transitional Care Nursing service, which aims to facilitate integrated care between primary, secondary and community health care services. Explores whether support in the form of the Transitional Care Nursing service influences the experience of patients who receive assistance during the transition between hospital and home. Conducts qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 12 patients whose responses are thematically analysed. Highlights the characteristics of care offered by Transitional Care nurses that describe the person-centred care patients received.

Abstract: Explores the challenges and opportunities for enrolled nursing in NZ. Employs trans-disciplinary research (TDR) methodology to approach the question of how enrolled nurses (EN) might become more visible in the health workforce by means of potential innovations arising from collaboration between stakeholders in health-care delivery.

Abstract: Backgrounds and describes the Hand Model, developed by a nurse teacher to assist her in teaching cultural safety, and suggests its potential to provide a framework for creating a culturally-safe environment for international students in NZ, including those aspects of cultural safety specific to NZ.

Abstract: The author argues that the involvement of nurses in the decision-making of health organisations is essential to maximise the contribution of nurses and promote positive outcomes for patients. She suggests that development of leadership skills will make nurses aware of power structures in the health system and allow them to become interdependent health professionals in primary health organisations (PHO). The particular competencies discussed are those proposed by Van Maurik (1997), namely ability to understand and manage organisational politics, work facilitatively with people and circumstances, and build a feeling of purpose.

Abstract: An analytical tool of Force Field Analysis was used to identify and describe forces influencing the development of innovative roles, including the nurse practitioner role, in primary health care nursing. At the commencement of the study an initial analysis of research, literature and policy identified forces driving or restraining the development of innovative roles. A mixed research method of surveys and focus group interviews with key stakeholders, namely nurses in innovative roles, general practitioners and nurse leaders, was then used to identify factors influencing development within the Northland District Health Board. Descriptive statistics and interpretative methods were used to analyse the data. A final analysis enabled a picture of forces influencing innovative role development to be presented. Driving forces reflected international trends and were strongly influenced by economics and a political imperative to reconfigure health care services towards a primary health focus. The Treaty of Waitangi was also a key influence. Driving forces had greatest impact on the development of new roles. Forces were identified as drives towards cost-effective evidence-based health care (effective services), equity for Maori, response to local needs and workforce reorganisation. The major forces restraining the development of innovative roles were reinforced by attitudes, customs and support systems. These forces were identified as poor professional identity and support, an outdated nursing image, inadequate education and training and slow transition from traditional practices and structures (tradition). These forces had a negative influence on support for innovative roles. Promotion of kaupapa Maori, involvement of the local community, local Maori and nursing in decision-making and promotion of a team culture have the potential to support further development of innovative roles. Political ideology and the Treaty of Waitangi will continue to be major influences directed through policy and the contracting and funding process.

Abstract: Baker et al., (2008) showed diminished rates of survival in the CPR-first group. Based largely on the evidence of the two Australian RCTs, the 2010 ILCOR guidelines removed the recommendation for CPR first, stating that 'there is inconsistent evidence to support or refute a delay in defibrillation to provide a period (90 s to 3 min) of CPR for patients in VF/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) cardiac arrest' (ILCOR, 2010, p. e6).\n For this reason, and due to the increased chance of accidental defibrillation, it is the recommendation of the author that it only be used by health professionals who are able practise on a regular basis.

Abstract: This study used a non-experimental correlational design to research the relationship between the experience of the nurse, with the application of continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) to patients presenting to a metropolitan emergency department with cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (CPO), and to establish what difference, if any, CPAP made to outcomes. A retrospective audit of records was used to extract data on all 54 patients that received CPAP over a 12-month period. The primary outcome measures were off CPAP within two hours, transfer to intensive care unit or cardiac care unit, and secondary outcome measures were length of hospital stay and death. There was a trend towards more experienced nurses attending patients who required immediate treatment or treatment within 10 minutes. These patients were more likely to be recognised at triage as requiring CPAP therapy. The early application of CPAP reduced hospital mortality, length of stay, and the need for intubation and ventilation. Attention needs to be given on how best to educate nurses so that more patients presenting with acute respiratory failure can benefit from nurses' decision-making regarding the commencement of CPAP.

Abstract: In 2004, Plunket nurses from eight areas around New Zealand participated in collecting data for a research project on health needs assessment practices. This project aimed to examine risk factors identified by Plunket nurses, what areas of health need considered to be priorities; grading of health needs; and how closely the results of health need assessment aligned with the individual clients' deprivation score. The researchers examine the assessment of health needs against the use of the Deprivation Index, which indicates a specific population in a specific area, as a funding model. This study appeared to show there are two distinct groups of clients assessed as high needs: those with risk factors such as family violence and severe parental mental illness, and who may live in an area of 1-7 deprivation; and those with multiple risk factors which include poverty, low education, and/or reluctance to access services and support, and who usually live in dep 8-10 areas. This research supports the anecdotal evidence that significant health needs exist outside the lower deprivation areas.