Abstract: A paper presented at the annual conference of Nursing Informatics New Zealand (subsequently incorporated into the collective organisation, Health Informatics NZ).

Abstract: This research aimed to understand the level and scope of practice of the nurse practitioner in Australia and New Zealand further using a capability framework. The original study, from which the present paper was developed, sought to identify competency standards for the extended role of the nurse practitioner in Australia and New Zealand. In doing so the researchers became aware that while competencies described many of the characteristics of the nurse practitioner they did not manage to tell the whole story. In a search of the literature, the concept of capability appeared to provide a potentially useful construct to describe the attributes of the nurse practitioner that went beyond competence. A secondary analysis of data obtained from the interviews with 15 nurse practitioners working in Australia and New Zealand was undertaken. The analysis showed that capability and its dimensions is a useful model for describing the advanced level attributes of nurse practitioners. Thus, nurse practitioners described elements of their practice that involved: using their competences in novel and complex situations as well as the familiar; being creative and innovative; knowing how to learn; having a high level of self-efficacy; and working well in teams. This study suggests dimensions of capability need to be considered in the education and evaluation of nurse practitioners.

Abstract: In October, 1986 the fifteen technical institutes that run Nursing programs in New Zealand were sent questionnaire that were designed to find out about the Nursing Research Component in the Diploma of Nursing, The Advanced Diploma of Nursing and other Nursing Courses. The same questions were asked of each of these courses. Twelve replies were received and eleven were analysed in this report. Two general observations emerged from the Diploma of Nursing: 1. The questionnaires varied greatly in the detail provided in answers. 2. Where there were small numbers enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing, the questionnaire answers suggest there is less emphasis placed on Nursing research as a separate component in the course. This small project provides us with some information about the Nursing Research Component in the Diploma of Nursing courses offered in New Zealand

Abstract: Using the content analysis method all items published in the New Zealand nursing journal over 12 months every 10 years 1910 – 1980 were analysed. The focus was nursing in the community and data was gathered on categories of nurses mentioned, the contexts, categories of clients plus 68 nursing activity sub-categories. The data in analysed and discussed to show demands and patterns over time

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 phenomenological research project focused on one womans experience following total removal of her larynx and aimed to faithfully capture the essential structure of the phenomenon of voice as it emerged for her. For women in particular gaining a new artifical voice following surgery that is considerably lower sounding, plus the large visible opening in the lower neck is psychologically challenging and can be socially isolating. Most literature relating to laryngectomy and rehabilitation comprises quantitative research with limited attention to womens issues. This could be attributed to the small number of women undergoing this surgery. A review of nursing literature revealed minimal research, with none referring specifically to women. Nor were any studies using entirely qualitative methods identified.This research project used a phenomenological approach informed by the work of Michael Crotty, described as within the parameters of mainstream phenomenology. Based on a traditional common core foundation which is critical, holistic and individualistic, mainstream phenomenology requires achieving co-researchership between researcher and participant while exploring phenomena as objects of authentic human experience.The study began with discussing Crottys stepwise method emphasising the activity of bracketing. The co-researcher was then left to ponder or meditate on her experience following bracketing all her prior understandings and ideas, as if this was the first time she had encountered the phenomenon. Three conversations followed which allowed exploration of the co-researchers written statements. The seven interwoven dimensions that emerged represented the essential structure, meaning and essence of 'what voice is for this woman following total laryngectomy

Abstract: Objective; The objective of this study is to determine if attending a nursing education session on menopause has an impact on women's management of their menopausal symptoms and consequently their quality of life for women aged 40 to 60 years. The hypothesis is that women attending education sessions will start or increase health promotion activities which will reduce menopausal symptoms and thus improve their quality of life.Design and method; Two questionaires were given to the women on the day of the education sessions and another questionnaire was sent to the participant three months later. The sample of 30 completed questionnaires includes feedback from Pacific Island women. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The measure of quality of life has been based on the level of impact of menopausal on each women's life before the education session and three months later.Results; Initial analysis indicates that diet, exercise and time out were most commonly reported health activities utilized for relief of symptoms with HRT and herbal remedies used less often. Three months after the education session there was a significant reduction in the impact of symptoms in most categories with 140 incidences of total disappearance of symptoms, 24 incidences of reduction of symptoms, 17 incidences of symptoms increasing while 36 symptoms remained unchanged. Only one woman reported that she continued to have no control over her symptoms while the rest of the sample indicated that they had some or total control. The most common changes in health promotion activities were reduction in caffeine, exercise, relaxation and lubrication with sex. Herbal, homeopathy, dietary and hormone treatment rated low in health activities after the three months.Conclusion; Initial analysis indicates that menopausal symptoms has significantly improved for the majority of women who attended the nursing education session