Abstract: Use of health assessment skills is undeniably part of everyday nursing practice, guiding nursing decisions and a part of facilitating patient outcomes. Undergraduate nursing education in New Zealand includes the use of health assessment skills within the context of nursing practice. The registered nurse working in their first year of practice is required to use effective assessment skills to identify potential risks to a patient's health, while learning to adjust to the many other demands of practice, but little research has explored these experiences. The purpose of this research study was to describe the experience of using health assessment skills within the first year of practice as a registered nurse. Using a qualitative descriptive method, informed by phenomenology, interviews were conducted with six newly graduated registered nurses working within a New Zealand setting. Findings of this study revealed that graduates endeavour to incorporate the skills of health assessment taught at undergraduate level into their practice. Six main themes of health assessment philosophy; tuning in; mobilising health assessment skills; recognition; anxiety; and identification and facilitation of outcomes can be aligned with Benner's (1984) model of skill acquisition. The author suggests that these research findings are useful to inform nursing education, clinical practice and further research. An awareness of these graduate experiences provides opportunities for nurses in both clinical practice and education to facilitate and support graduate nurses' of health assessment within their nursing practice.

Abstract: The purpose of this dissertation is to consider the potential role of nurse practitioners within the Family Planning Association using the “participatory, evidence-based, patient focused process for advanced practice nursing” framework. The existing model of care meets the needs of most Family Planning Association clients well in family planning and sexual and reproductive health care. Some population groups, for example, Maori, Pacific Island people and males are currently underserved particularly in areas of sexual and reproductive health. Consideration is given to how the Family Planning Association could incorporate nurse practitioner expertise to complement existing care and utilising innovative and cost effective ways of reaching some underserved population groups. The integration of the nurse practitioner role into the current staffing mix has the potential to enhance the current model of care, freeing medical officers to deal with more complex medical issues and providing a clinical career path for Family Planning Association nurses.

Abstract: The aims of this study were to illuminate the joint constructions of exemplary nurses and their lived experiences of being and becoming one. Inherent in being 'exemplary' was the notion of 'becoming', which involved the integration of knowledge and experiences through reflecting on the day-to-day of 'being a nurse'. Being exemplary was not about perfection but learning from every experience and integrating these into becoming. The author developed a creative qualitative and participatory method. Ten exemplary nurses were recruited and interviewed three times. They also provided supplementary data such as photos, poetry and writings. Analysis occurred through first and second level categorising and the use of writing as method. Writing became a way of knowing – assisting discovery and allowing reflection on the data in order to connect the categories and themes together in a coherent and workable whole. The author reports that the above method led to the following emergent findings. The pivotal construct was Authentic Being, through living a reflective life, surrounded by the major constructs of Love of Nursing, Making a Difference, Critical Friends, Walking the Talk and Backpack patients. These constructs directed a specific and comprehensive review of both the philosophical and nursing literature. This review was not used to expand or enlarge the findings but to enlighten, illuminate and clarify. Significant philosophical ideas were extended, developed and synthesised with the findings. The author suggests that the new knowledge that emerged from this research has profound implications for everyday nursing practice, undergraduate and post graduate nursing education, and for Charge Nurses and Senior Nurses, who are of vital importance as role models, mentors and critical friends. The results are significant and are important for nurses and the nursing profession and contribute to, and advance, nursing knowledge.

Abstract: This research paper reports on the findings of a literature review conducted to establish and analyse the international magnitude, context and effectiveness of nurse-led heart failure initiatives. The research revealed that the underlying philosophy in establishing nurse-led disease management programmes of care is that, by treating chronic heart failure as a continuum, it is possible to decrease exacerbations and improve patient outcomes. Regardless of the type of heart failure management programme, critical components of care include a collaborative supportive approach that educates and empowers the patient (including family/whanau) to recognise the early indicators of exacerbation, access expedient care, and to adhere to evidence based treatments. The author points to significant evidence to support the establishment of nurse-led heart failure programmes. The positive outcomes associated with this model of care delivery include decreased readmissions, reduction in mortality, and cost efficiencies. However, the organisational model of care, or programme components that are the most effective in optimising patient outcomes, need to be selected on the basis of local healthcare infrastructure, services and resources. The author suggests that New Zealand has a unique opportunity to encompass the recent emergence of the Nurse Practitioner role in facilitating, coordinating and monitoring of heart failure programmes across the continuum of care. The delivery of evidence-based, cost effective, heart failure programmes is a prerequisite to improving the delivery of optimal treatment and ensuring that heart failure patients have the opportunity to attain quality care outcomes.

Abstract: This research explored the relationship between entry criteria and academic performance in the first and second year bioscience papers at Otago Polytechnic School of Nursing. The School's inclusion of a bioscience requirement varies from the Nursing Council criteria for acceptance into undergraduate nursing programmes. Six hundred and nineteen academic records of 1994-2002 graduates were sampled. Chi-square and correlational analyses found a relationship between entry qualifications and students' academic performance in the two papers. The entry criteria had a stronger relationship with the students' performance in the first year bioscience paper than the second year paper. Performance in the first year was predicative of second year performance. Age was also found to be a useful predictor of grades. These findings support the School's Bioscience entry criteria and provide important information for admission committees.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to conduct research to inform the development of standards for nurse practitioner education in Australia and New Zealand and to contribute to the international debate on nurse practitioner practice. The research was conducted in all states of Australia where the nurse practitioner is authorised, and in New Zealand. The research was informed by multiple data sources including nurse practitioner programme curricula documents from relevant universities in Australia and New Zealand, interviews with academic convenors of these programmes and interviews with nurse practitioners. Findings include support for masters level of education as preparation for the nurse practitioner. These programs need to have a strong clinical learning component and in-depth education for the sciences of specialty practice. Additionally an important aspect of education for the nurse practitioner is the centrality of student directed and flexible learning models. This approach is well supported by the literature on capability.

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: Nursing shortages, technology, advances in genetics and the knowledge explosion are trends that have an influence on the nursing profession in the future. This article will examine these trends and give an overview of what it may be like to nurse in an acute-care hospital in the year 2020. The impact of leadership, management and political influences will also be discussed. The American concept of 'Magnet' hospitals will be described as one possible solution to the issues that affect the nursing profession in New Zealand.