Abstract: This paper explores the benefits of using education as one means to advance palliative care competence for nurses. A literature search was conducted revealing numerous educational initiatives and approaches have been developed to improve palliative care. Benefits include improved nursing knowledge, confidence and competence which directly correlate with improved patient outcomes. Accompanying the shift of palliative care from hospices to varied health care providers globally, are disparities in care provision. The literature suggests that reasons for such disparities include insufficient specialised palliative care knowledge and skills of nurses to effectively deliver this care within generalist health settings and lack of information for caregivers. In response, approaches aimed at improving palliative care include reviewing, redefining and implementing nursing roles, education courses, and theoretical frameworks to inform practice and improve outcomes. This paper focuses on the benefits of offering tailored palliative care education in work settings to improve patient care. One entrepreneurial education initiative aimed at advancing palliative nursing and which is currently being implemented in aged care contexts is shared. Careful strategic planning and working more collaboratively between all stakeholders, is strongly recommended in order to manage current and future challenges. Advancing palliative nursing care using appropriate education is achievable and beneficial but is fraught with complexities.

Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to examine why postgraduate education has become so important, to examine some of the issues around mandatory continuing education and the practical effect of this on a nursing career. Four strategies from the Ministry of Health, designed to facilitate changing nurse education, are discussed. The importance of Professional Development Recognition programmes is discussed along with the need for strong nursing leadership.

Abstract: A retrospective descriptive design was used to examine the records of all presentations to the emergency department of patients with COPD over a 3-month period to determine whether there is a subset group of people who present with hypercarbia. There were 114 presentations, amongst those there were 71 individuals, a number presenting more than once within the three months. 80% of the 71 individuals had a smoking history of which 53% were female. Of the 114 presentations, 76 had arterial blood gases taken during their emergency department presentation. Of these 76 presentations 30 had hypercarbia and 46 were non-hypercarbia. These 76 presentations involved 58 individuals, with some individuals presenting five times over the three-month period. Three groups emerged, some who were only hypercarbia (n= 18), some in the non-hypercarbia group (n=35) and 5 individuals who had presentations in both the hypercarbia and non-hypercarbia groups. Data showed that there was no definable subset group of hypercarbia patients within acute exacerbations of COPD presenting to the emergency department according to the variables. However the sample of presentations (with a blood gas) found within the study suffering hypercarbia was much higher (31.1%) than anticipated. Further analysis showed that the hypercarbia group had a significant lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and a combination diagnosis of emphysema or asthma and congestive heart failure. An implication to the clinician is that identification of hypercarbia within COPD exacerbation is problematically difficult until the late signs are shown with the individual. By that time effective treatment patterns may have changed from the initial presenting problem. The author concludes that future areas of research within this field needs to lie within the community, and look at when these people start the exacerbation, what leads them to progression presentation to the emergency department, and whether these people are chronic sufferers of hypercarbia or presenting after a period of days exacerbation within their own home.

Abstract: This thesis reports on a retrospective observational study that examined the complication rate of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) within a regional cancer centre. PICCs are increasingly used for delivery of chemotherapy and other intravenous therapies in oncology patients. A literature review revealed that almost all published research on PICC complications reported on silicone (Groshong(TM)) catheter use, rather than the polyurethane (Arrow(TM)) PICCs used at Christchurch Hospital. Also, much literature referred to PICCs being inserted by non-nurses, whereas the Christchurch service uses specially-trained nurses to insert them. The purpose of the study was to identify the nature, incidence and rates of polyurethane (Arrow(TM)) PICC complications in an adult oncology cohort. Ethics Committee approval was gained to retrospectively follow all PICCs inserted in adult oncology patients at Christchurch Hospital over a 13-month period from 1st March 2006 until 31st March 2007. Data collected were analysed utilising the statistical computer package SPSS. One hundred and sixty-four PICCs were inserted into 156 individual oncology patients over this period. The median dwell time was 68 days for a total of 14,276 catheter-days. Complications occurred in 25 (15%) out of 164 PICC lines, in 22 (15%) of the 156 patients for an overall complication rate of 1.75 per 1000 catheter-days. However, only 16 of the 25 PICCs with complications required early removal (9.75% of the cohort) for a favourably low serious complication rate of 1.12 per 1000 catheter-days. The three commonest complications were infection at 4.3% (7/164) or 0.49 infection complications/1000 PICC-days, PICC migration at 3% (5/164) or 0.35/1000 catheter days, and thrombosis at 2.4% (4/164) or 0.28/1000 catheter days. The median time to complication was 41 days. Those with complications were more likely to have a gastro-intestinal or an ovarian cancer diagnosis, and less likely to have colorectal cancer. These findings provide support for the safe and effective use of polyurethane (Arrow(TM)) PICCs for venous access within the adult oncology context. Furthermore, it suggests that cost effective nurse-led (Arrow(TM)) PICC insertions can contribute to a low complication rate.

Abstract: This paper is an analysis of the cultural and traditional factors that the author presents as essential considerations in the treatment of Samoan people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Just as important to any clinical diagnosis, is the spiritual nature of Samoan culture and traditions, which inform belief systems. A full understanding of these will explain how the traditional beliefs and cultural values of Samoan people have an impact on their perception of mental illness, its causes and cures. The thesis places emphasis on 'ma'i -aitu', the Samoan term for most ailments pertaining to the mind or psyche. The focus is on defining 'ma'i -aitu' as part of a Samoan world view and likewise a description of a similar type of manifestation in the Papalagi (western) context of a psychiatric disorder and how treatment and management is usually undertaken. The issues addressed in this paper aim to highlight the Samoan client's world view from a Samoan perspective of mental illness which then poses the question of how they can be managed holistically and appropriately under the Papalagi medical system. Furthermore, it questions if the traditional belief system of Samoans run deeper than originally thought and can the replacement thereof by a foreign culture be responsible for the increased mental problems in Samoans living in New Zealand? This paper emphasises the importance of integrating the western medical model and Samoan health models, for appropriate mental health service delivery to Samoan people.

Abstract: This literature review critically examines contributing factors to the current nursing shortage in New Zealand, centering on recruitment and retention of registered nurses. There is a dramatic widening between the supply of registered nurses and the demand for their services. All regions in New Zealand are reporting difficulty in hiring experienced and specialty nurses, and recruiting time is lengthening. This report suggests that the shortage is closely linked to factors in the nursing care environment. As a result of multiple factors during the centralising, cost-containing, acuity-increasing decade of the 1990s, the care environment has driven practising nurses out of acute care settings and discouraged new students from entering the profession. The availability of numerous alternative career opportunities has heightened the effect. Continuing causes to the non-selection of nursing as a profession are the influences of wage compression and limited career progression over the lifetime of the nurse, and insufficient orientation and mentoring of new nurses. Recent changes in the health care system have gone unevaluated and without oversight by nursing regulatory agencies – a situation not in the best interests of patients or nurses. A number of both literature-supported and resourceful approaches, including recommendations towards addressing the nursing shortage are proposed in this review.

Abstract: This paper critically examines the literature on mammography as a breast cancer screening modality. It looks at what the New Zealand consumer is being told about the scientific uncertainties about the effectiveness of mammography and the substantial risks involved with it. This literature review raises concerns about the lack of information available for healthy women to make a fully informed decision about mammography screening.

Abstract: This article reviews the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for pregnant women suffering from depressive symptoms. CBT provides a structured, short-term, collaborative process between clinician and client, using strategies and techniques to identify dysfunctional thinking and beliefs, challenge and change these beliefs, then implement new rational beliefs and behaviours. A process of engagement, assessment and conceptualisation is followed by treatment planning and implementation, and modification of dysfunctional thinking and behaviours. Use of CBT to treat depression in women during pregnancy is supported by the literature, especially where pharmacological intervention is declined or contraindicated. Pregnancy can bring stressors that combine with biological factors and core beliefs to contribute to depressive symptoms.