Abstract: Describes and critically analyses the construction of the nursing identity through curriculum and social relations of power. Conducts a critical analysis using Foucault's power/knowledge problematic to unmask power relations positioning the nurse in the discourses of medicine and gender. Analyses the construction of the nursing identity through curriculum and the social relations of power, using the Foucauldian notion of governmentality.

Abstract: An interdisciplinary (nursing-medicine) collaboration in a qualitative descriptive research project undertaken in the Wellington School of Medicine with New Zealand Health Research Council funding. The purpose was to inform the practice of nursing and medical practitioners. A group of patients were interviewed in their homes. Their experience of having a diagnosis of hypertension and prescription of long-term treatment requiring adjustment in their lives and the lives of their families is presented as themes.

Abstract: The study was undertaken as a project for the International Year of the Child. There was a need for information to identify what health care in needed in schools and to contribute to a review of the role of the nurses. Teachers and principals of all primary schools of the Wellington area were surveyed to describe the health care being provided and needed. Recommendations were made for school nurses who would support the health-related teaching by teachers, provide first aid and advice, and take an extended role for family health operating from a clinic in the school.

Abstract: Explores the challenges encountered by nurse educators who seek to assess aspects related to emotional competence in nursing students. This emotional competence includes nurses managing their own emotional life along with the skill to relate effectively to the multiple colleagues and agencies that nurses work alongside. The research was designed to explore the views of nurse educators about the challenges they encounter when seeking to assess a student's development of emotional competence during the three year bachelor of nursing degree. Focus groups were used to obtain from educators evidence of feeling and opinion as to how theory and practice environments influence student nurses' development of emotional competence. The process of thematic analysis was utilised and three key themes arose as areas of importance to the participants. These were personal and social competence collectively comprises emotional competence in nursing; emotional competence is a key component of fitness to practise; and transforming caring into practice. The findings of the study indicate a need for definition of what emotional competence is in nursing. It is argued that educators and practicing nurses, who work alongside students, must uphold the expectation that emotional competence is a requisite ability and should themselves be able to role model emotionally competent communication.

Abstract: The researchers evaluate and compare the organisation of general practice in the UK and New Zealand. A key aim of the Primary Health Care Strategy is a reduction in health inequalities. Locally, some nurse leaders suggest that changing nurse practice employment from general practitioners to Primary Health Organisations will achieve this aim. The authors take lessons from the UK and suggest that nurses organising themselves into peer groups, remuneration of general practices for the attainment of positive patient outcomes, and a statutory duty of clinical governance, all contributed to the development of practice nurses' roles and expansion of numbers of nurse practitioners in general practice. Nurses have become partners with general practitioners in general practice in the UK, which the authors suggest is a much preferable alternative for some than employment by a Primary Health Organisation.

Abstract: This article reports the implementation of a collaborative project undertaken to monitor and improve the effectiveness of the prescribing practicum papers delivered within two Master's degree programmes in advanced nursing practice. The recent introduction of Nurse Practitioner registration in New Zealand has resulted in the development of a number of Master's degree programmes in which students can complete a Nursing Council of New Zealand approved programme for prescribing. For the study, a developmental action research approach was used. Data were collected through interviews with practicum students, their medical supervisors and academic staff. Formative findings were progressively used to refine delivery of the practicum papers and a thematic analysis of summative findings identified areas for further improvement. The findings suggest that the processes being implemented are developing well. The researchers recommend that further education is required to clearly differentiate medical and advanced nursing roles. They recommend that greater attention needs to be paid to the preparation of medical supervisors and, most significantly, revision of funding is required to more equitably support the ongoing development of nurses for advanced practice roles.

Abstract: In 1984 Mason Durie documented a framework for understanding Maori health, Te Whare Tapa Wha, which has subsequently become embedded in Maori health policy. This article presents a specific assessment framework, the Meihana Model, which encompasses the four original cornerstones of Te Whare Tapa Wha, and inserts two additional elements. These form a practice model (alongside Maori beliefs, values and experiences) to guide clinical assessment and intervention with Maori clients and whanau accessing mental health services. This paper outlines the rationale for and background of the Meihana Model and then describes each dimension: whanau, wairua, tinana, hinengaro, taiao and iwi katoa. The model provides a basis for a more comprehensive assessment of clients/whanau to underpin appropriate treatment decisions.