Abstract: A thesis submitted to the Otago Polytechnic Dunedin, in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Midwifery.

Abstract: The second, biennial survey of NZNO members based on the RCN longitudinal survey. A snapshot of the employment, views and morale of the New Zealand Nursing workforce.
Comparisons with the 2009 survey show an increase in job insecurity, experience of restructuring, and continuing differences in wages and turnover in the different sectors of the workforce.
The Enrolled Nurse membership in particular is in the midst of change, opportunity and disquiet. While the profession continues to be in good heart, there are some concerns about loss of senior nursing positions, and lack of suitable posts for new graduates.

Abstract: The NZNO Younger Nurse survey examined the characteristics of younger nurse members of NZNO (aged under 30) in order to identify potential recruitment and retention strategies for these nurses, and provide information on how best to support younger members to become involved in NZNO activities.
The findings indicate that while most younger nurses enjoy their work and find it rewarding, they also face a range of challenges in the workplace due to their age ?including bullying and poor choice of shifts. Many younger nurses do not feel appropriately paid for the work they do and believe there are insufficient nurses to provide safe care. Over 10% of younger nurses are considering leaving the nursing profession. Many younger nurses feel the emotional challenge of nursing was more than they anticipated and that their education did not prepare them well to manage this.
A range of recommendations are made including the need to improve undergraduate curriculum content on managing the emotional challenges of nursing, the need to implement clinical supervision for all nurses but particularly for those under 30, the need to develop and implement activities to address bullying in the workplace, and the need to improve pay progression scales in employment contracts.
Further research is required to explore why there is a discrepancy between female and male nurses?postgraduate qualifications by age, the particular needs of younger Indian and South East Asian nurses, the discrepancy between younger nurses and older nurses perceptions of insufficient nurses, and what type of emotional stress younger nurses find most challenging.

Abstract: Critical care outreach is part of a new approach to manage all critically ill patients, regardless of where they are located in the hospital. It is the complete process of care that focuses on individual patients needs rather than on beds and buildings. There has been a proliferation of research literature since critical care outreach teams were introduced and subsequently required to provide robust evidence in the form of research to prove the effectiveness of their service. The research conducted by nurses has largely focused on phenomenological inquiry and has utilised methodologies such as questionnaires and interviews.

Abstract: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand. June 2007
This study used an interpretive descriptive method to gain insight into and
explore key issues for rural nurses working and living in the same
community. Four Rural Nurse Specialists were recruited as participants. The
nurses had lived and nursed in the same rural community for a minimum of
12 months. Participants were interviewed face to face and their transcribed
interviews underwent thematic analysis.
The meta-theme was: the distinctive nature of rural nursing. The themes
identified were: interwoven professional and personal roles; complex role of
rural nurses and relationships with the community. A conceptual model was
developed to capture the relationship between the meta-theme and the
themes. A definition for rural nursing was developed from the findings.
This research identified some points of difference in this group of rural
nurses from the available rural nursing literature. It also provides a better
understanding of the supports Rural Nurse Specialists need to be successful
in their roles, particularly around the recruitment and retention of the rural
nursing workforce.

Abstract: Uses a post-positivist mixed-methods convergent-parallel design to explore nurse practitioner diagnostic reasoning and compare it to that of registrars. Includes 30 nurse practitioners and 16 registrars in a case scenario. Outlines nurse practitioner practice in NZ and how the NZ title of nurse practitioner differs from that used internationally.

Abstract: Examines the lived experiences of adults with myasthenia gravis(MG). Uses an interpretive phenomenological approach applying the research methodology of van Manen (1990). Interviews seven people living with MG and records their experiences of the disease. Poses broadly-worded questions about various topics related to MG, that include diagnosis, symptoms, treatments and coping strategies, guided by individual experiences. Reveals by means of thematic analysis that MG affects every aspect of a person?s ?lifeworld?: their sense of time, body, and space and their relationships with others. Highlights three main themes embedded in the data experienced by a person with MG: living with uncertainty, living with weakness and living with change.