Abstract: Determines what mental health (MH) nurses understand the concept of self-management to mean in relation to patients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Interviews 10 MH nurses using a semi-structured format and analyses data using the general inductive approach, resulting in 26 sub-themes organised into three over-arching themes: self management is self-responsibility, self-management is self-awareness, self-management is maintaining safety.

Abstract: Uses an instrumental case study to explore the role of Advanced Choice of Employment (ACE) on the decision to enter the Nurse Entry to Specialised Practice (NESP). Examines the NESP programme in one DHB in which 14 participants who had accepted positions on NESP without specifying the specialty were given semi-structured interviews, as was the NESP coordinator about the employer experience of NESP. Suggests how education providers and DHBs can prepare ACE applicants for the recruitment process.

Abstract: Investigates wheether the impact of a co-located psychological service to which Primary Care Providers cn refer patients with mild to moderate mental health needs, would impact on the well-being of the providers at work. Describes Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) services delivered by psychologists working in a a large primary care practice in the lower North Island. Conducts interviews with GPs, nurse practitioners (NP) and registered nurses (RN), analysing the data using thematic analysis. Finds an inverse relationship between the FACT service and the well-being of staff.

Abstract: This research takes an autoethnographical approach to exploring the connections between being a nurse, doing nursing work, and experiencing a mental illness. Data is comprised of autoethnographical stories from 18 nurses. Drawing on Lyotard's (1988) postmodern philosophy of 'regimes of phrases' and 'genres of discourse,' the nurses' stories yielded three motifs: Nursing, Tangata Whaiora (people seeking wellness) and Bullying. Interpretation of the motifs was undertaken by identifying and exploring connected or dissenting aspects within and between the motifs.

Abstract: This aim of this thesis was to explore and describe registered nurses' experiences of undertaking the statutory role of Responsible Clinician under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. The role of Responsible Clinician has been available to nurses since 1992 yet to date there has been little research into nurses' experiences of undertaking this role. An exploratory descriptive approach was therefore used in this study. A convenience sample of four nurses who had been undertaking the role of Responsible Clinician was recruited. Their experiences were elicited through in-depth interviews. Analysis of the interview material revealed the themes of legitimacy, relationships, expanding practice, responsibility and accountability, approaches to care, nurses' responsiveness to the role and support of the role. The author points to this research being important to nurses who are working in the psychiatric mental health area so that they can understand the role more fully. In this way, more nurses may choose to undertake the role of Responsible Clinician.

Abstract: Therapeutic relationships are central to mental health nursing. The nurse's role in maintaining professional yet therapeutic boundaries within this relationship can be challenging. When therapeutic boundaries are breeched within the nurse adolescent relationship the adolescent's safety within this relationship is compromised. There is currently limited literature on how nurses are managing professional boundaries in relationships with adolescents in this setting. The adolescent's nature is to push boundaries; therefore the nurse needs to be acutely aware of this boundary pushing in everyday practice settings. For the safety of the adolescent and the nurse it is vital the nurse understands her role in managing the professional boundary. This thesis explores, through the use of narrative inquiry, four adolescent mental health nurses' experiences of assessing, understanding and maintaining therapeutic boundaries with adolescents in a mental health setting in New Zealand. The unique and specific implications for adolescent mental health nursing are discussed. Three key themes emerged from the analysis and findings: the importance of the nurse clarifying his/her role; the learning that occurs throughout the practice journey; and the role of the nurse in keeping the adolescent and the nurse safe. These findings highlight the importance of clinical supervision and open communication with senior nurses and mentors, which assist the nurse in monitoring practice. When nurses do not have sufficient knowledge of the fundamental principles of adolescent mental health nursing; such as knowledge and skills in both adolescent development and psychodynamic nursing, they are at risk of boundary crossings. Recommendations from this research include more emphasis on psychodynamic nursing principles in nursing education and nursing practice. There is a need for specialised education for nurses in child and adolescent mental health nursing. Nursing entry to practice programmes for new graduate nurses working in mental health, could assist in providing this. There is a call for further research into therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries in this complex nursing specialty.