Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the practise of Nurses when working with depressed patients in an In Care setting. A survey of the literature shows that the role commonly prescribed for nurses who work in psychiatric settings is one that emphasises a one- on -one relationship based on models of psychotherapy and focuses on individual illness, pathology, systems and psycho dynamics. It is suggested that this is not a role which most Nurses working in New Zealand psychiatric settings would be able to implement in practise. Three perspective's of Nursing practise were explored in the study. What Nurses were seen to do in practice. What they thought they should do as evidenced in results of an exercise to rank different possible interventions, and what patients said were helpful Nursing interventions. A framework was developed for the study which depicts the process of helplessness(depression) as the negative 'mirror -image' of the process of self care. Results were analysed within this framework to determine whether or not Nurses tended to support behaviours which were indicative of movement towards helplessness or encourage those which indicated progress towards self care by their interventions. There was little evidence of positive reinforcement for independent or coping behaviours with patients in the study sample. Further, the nursing practise showed little relationship to the role prescribed in the literature. The Nurses did demonstrate a warm caring friendly approach that seemed to stem from a more traditional 'succouring, mothering' view of Nurses' role

Abstract: This article explores the complex nature of liability in the case of standing orders and vicarious liability by employers, and also when nurses and doctors are in management roles. The authors address misconceptions about medico-legal responsibility for nursing practice with the advent of nurse prescribers and nurse practitioners. They refer to the submission made by the College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ) on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003), and discuss practice liability and nurse-physician collaboration.

Abstract: The author presents a project to increase enrolments of women aged 60-69 years in the cervical screening programme. The programme included provision of packages comprising fliers, counter signs, stickers, postcards and pens to 1387 women's groups or locations where women gather. The author collates and analyses calls to the advertised 0800 telephone number, smear tests at the Well Women's Nursing Trust, and enrolment rates on the Cervical Screening Register from June to August 2001.

Abstract: This paper examines the phenomenon of exemplary nursing. It includes a literature review to identify the characteristics of good nurses. These include particular personality traits, altruism, caring, expert practice, vocation, commitment and attitude. Aspects of the nurse-patient relationship with such nurses is described.

Abstract: The author reconsiders the meaning of expert, specialist and advanced practice. She proposes that they are distinctive and complementary aspects of every nursing role and suggests a set of attributes for each. Expertise is discussed in terms of the quality of performance, speciality in relation to particularity of performance, and advanced practice with regard to the level of performance.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the practice of nurses employed in integrated care projects in New Zealand from late 1999 to early 2001. Integrated care was a major health reform strategy that emphasised primary health care as a means to improve service provision between the health sectors. An investigation of nurses' practice sought to determine the extent to which primary health care principles had been adopted in practice, as a comprehensive primary health care approach has been advocated globally in the management of chronic conditions; the leading cause of disability throughout the world and the most expensive problems faced by health care systems. The philosophical basis of the research was postpositivism. The study employed a quantitative non-experimental survey design because it allowed numeric descriptions of the characteristics of integrated care projects to be gained for the purpose of identifying nurses' practice. The unit of inquiry was the integrated care project, and 80 comprised the study population. Data were obtained on projects from expert informants (n=27) by telephone survey using a structured interview questionnaire developed by the researcher. Data obtained from interviews were statistically analysed in two stages. First, data were produced to comprehensively describe the characteristics of integrated care projects and nurses practice. The 'Public health interventions model' was used as a framework to analyses the interventions (activities) and levels of population-based practice of nurses. Following this, the social values embedded in nurses' practice were determined using 'Beattie's model of health promotion' as a framework for analysis. A strong association was found between nurses' practice in projects and strategies used in integrated care, such as information sharing, guideline development and promotion, and case management, and projects with an ethnic focus, low income focus, chronic condition focus, and well-health focus. Whilst nurses undertook interventions most frequently at the individual practice level they were also strongly associated with the small proportion of interventions that were undertaken at the community level. The majority of interventions by nurses reflected the health promotion value of health persuasion, indicating a paternalist and individual-oriented philosophy. Nurses were engaged in two interventions that indicated a collective-oriented philosophy – coalition building and community development, the latter reflecting health promotion values of negotiation, partnership and empowerment. The study demonstrated that nurses' practice in projects was predominantly centred on individual-focused population-based practice suggesting the need for a framework to assist nurses to transition their practice to include more activity at the community and systems levels. Without a reorientation of practice, nurses will remain limited in their ability to achieve health gains for populations. In response to this conclusion, and drawing on research results and reviewed literature, a new model, The 'Primary Health Care interventions model' was constructed. Recommendations include advocacy for the acceptance of the model by the health funder, professional nursing bodies, health organisations, educational institutions, nurses, communities, and individuals.