Abstract: This research draws on the experiences of four women whilst they were inpatients at the Mental Health Unit in Southland. The Husserlian path of phenomenology was followed and in-depth interviewing used to collect data. Colaizzi's method of analysis enabled accurate interpretation of transcripts. The overall goal of this research was to provide health professionals with an opportunity to inform their practice, based on what consumers were saying about their experience of hospitalisation. Themes emerged through participants relating their experience by using comparisons with either their outside world or previous episodes of hospitalisation. Through analysis, two fundamental structures became evident within the findings. These were 'the environment as containment' and 'the road to recovery'. The author concludes that this study raises significant issues surrounding the experience of hospitalisation at the Mental Health Unit that have implications for future research and for future service delivery.

Abstract: This thesis explores the theoretical notions of suffering and caring within the nurse patient relationship in the context of emergency nursing. It includes a small pilot study that aimed to assess the feasibliity of a major research project, by describing the impact of vicarious traumatisation in emergency nurses, specifically in relation to their self capacities. This pilot study utilised a descriptive, correlational design. Data was collected by using the Inner Experience Questionnaire (IEQ) a twenty four-item questionnaire developed by Dr Pearlman (1995), and a profile sheet which identified demographic details. Twenty-seven emergency nurses participated in this pilot study. The IEQ was assessed for internal reliability by applying the Cronbachs alpha and utilising a focus group to gain insight into the usability and relevance of the questions. The internal reliability of the IEQ suggests that it may be an appropriate tool to measure disruption of self capacities in the population of emergency nurses. Although the results are limited, and conclusions cannot be drawn, findings suggest a correlation between the variables of age, experience, nursing qualifications and a history of personal trauma and the IEQ. There is evidence that emergency nurses are affected psychologically when caring for the victims of trauma in emergency departments and the IEQ has the potential as a tool to be integrated into future emergency nursing studies. A multidimensional methodological approach is recommended to capture the many contours of the complex phenomena of vicarious traumatisation and the emergency nurse.

Abstract: This thesis used a Heideggerian Hermeneutic approach to explore the experiences of registered nurses who act as preceptors to undergraduate student nurses. The researcher interviewed fifteen volunteer registered nurses twice as preceptors to investigate their experience. The data generated was audio-taped and analysed. Four dominant themes emerged. The first, 'Becoming attuned – the call', related to registered nurses responding to the call to be preceptors to students in their clinical placement. The second, “The emerging identity of being-as preceptor: keeping the student in mind”, related to preceptors cultivating their own identity as preceptors as they worked with students in the world of nursing practice. The third, 'Assessing where the student is at: the preceptor and preceptee working and growing together', related to a constant evaluation by preceptors of students' knowledge, readiness to learn, and the provision of learning opportunities. The fourth, 'Preceptors as builders of nursing practice through teaching reality nursing', facilitated the preceptee's experience of the real world of nursing practice. An overall constitutive theme: 'Preceptors as the safeguarders of the practices of nursing', emerged as the essence of the experience.

Abstract: Using nursing and associated literature, the relevance of nutrition in the care of children and families is highlighted in this article. The role of a nurse in providing nutrition advice and interventions is examined, in the context of social and economic pressures on the provision of a healthy diet. Relevant examples of the provision of such advice is provided, along with competencies required to achieve this in practice.