Abstract: The author contends that responses to cultural diversity in nursing need to consider the theory and practice developments of the profession, whilst also responding to broader social and historical process that prevent marginalised groups from utilising universal health services. A combination of approaches is suggested in this paper to meet these two imperatives. Cultural safety is one indigenous New Zealand nursing approach derived in response to inequalities for Maori, whereas cultural competence is an imported paradigm derived from a multicultural context. Furthermore, research and dialogue are required to examine points of complementarity and tension. This paper offers a beginning for this process.

Abstract: 'No suicide contracts' take the form of a 'guarantee of safety', along with a 'promise' to call specified persons if the suicidal ideation becomes unmanageable for the person concerned. They are commonly used in community crisis situations with suicidal people in New Zealand. This article describes and analyses the use of 'no suicide contracts' in these settings. It is argued that the theoretical base (transactional analysis) of the 'no suicide contract' is likely to be deleterious in the community crisis situation.

Abstract: The development of generic statutory roles in mental health care has been the subject of discussion by New Zealand nurses for the past decade. One such role is that of second health professional in judicial reviews of civil commitment. Issues identified by New Zealand nurses have also been raised in England, where it seems that nurses are likely to assume the role of Approved Mental Health Worker under English mental health law. A survey of mental health nurses found that few had received any preparation for the role of second health professional and 45% did not feel adequately prepared for the role. Some of these issues are reflected in a New Zealand inquiry which resulted in the Ministry of Health developing a written report form for second health professionals. However, the form has the potential to reduce the mental health nursing role to a narrow legal role. Statutory roles such as that of second health professional challenge mental health nurses to critically reflect on the conceptual and ethical basis of their practice. While traditional concepts such as therapeutic relationships and advocacy need to be reviewed in light of these changes, nurses need to be vigilant in articulating the moral and clinical basis of their roles. The development of guidelines for the second health professional role is suggested as a way of supporting clinical practice in this area.

Abstract: This article presents the findings of an interpretive study that explored and documented the meaning and impact of nurse participation in performance appraisal interviews. Data gleaned from nine New Zealand registered nurses employed by a single district health board provide evidence that nurses are often disappointed by the process of performance appraisal. Although they believe in the potential value of performance appraisal interviews, they seldom experience the feedback, direction, and encouragement necessary for an effective appraisal process. It is suggested that changes to the current professional development program and its accompanying performance appraisal will require skilled commitment on the part of nurses, managers, and the employing organisation to improve and develop the assessment and promotion of nursing practice.

Abstract: The aim of this research was to gain a more complete understanding of cigarette smoking and cessation during pregnancy by examining the men's role in supporting smoking cessation of their pregnant partners. A search of online databases was made for studies published in the last 10 years, in English, that included three phenomena; pregnancy, male partners, and cigarette smoking. Data were identified and organised according to theoretical, descriptive, and intervention methods of research. A growing body of literature indicates an interaction between pregnancy, male partners, and smoking behaviors. Explicating relationships between these phenomena is necessary for understanding and encouraging behaviours that promote maternal, child, and family health. The researchers conclude that current research highlights a need to further investigate the potential relationships, interactions, and health consequences of smoking behaviours of men and women during pregnancy.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether hospital-based, home care, and district nurses identify a core set of organisational attributes in the nursing work environment that they value as important to the support of professional practice. Survey data, collected in 2002 2003 from 403 home care nurses in the United States and 320 district nurses in New Zealand, were pooled with an existing data set of 669 hospital-based nurses to conduct this descriptive, nonexperimental study. The importance of organisational attributes in the nursing work environment was measured using the Nursing Work Index-Revised (NWI-R). The authors found that at least 80% of hospital-based, home care, and district nurses either agreed or strongly agreed that 47 of the 49 items comprising the NWI-R represented organisational attributes they considered important to the support of their professional nursing practice. Mean importance scores among home care nurses, however, were significantly lower than were those of the other two groups. The authors conclude that the overall, hospital-based, home care, and district nurses had a high level of agreement regarding the importance of organisational traits to the support of their professional practice. The intensity of the attributes' importance was less among home care nurses. Further research is needed to determine whether this set of organisational traits, measured using the NWI-R, is associated with positive nurse and patient outcomes in home care and district nursing practice, as has been shown in acute care settings.

Abstract: In this article, the author integrates literature pertaining to the implementation of kawa whakaruruhau, or cultural safety, with the findings of a hermeneutic project that described the experience of nursing people from cultures other than one's own. It is argued that the Gadamerian notions of “horizon,” “prejudice,” and “play” can be used to facilitate understanding of the tensions and contradictions inherent in cross-cultural practice. Strategies are recommended that enable students to explore the prejudices, paradoxes, and possibilities experienced personally and professionally.

Abstract: This article describes the findings of a research study on the experience of teaching cultural safety. As a teacher of cultural safety, the first author was interested in exploring the experience of teaching the topic with other cultural safety teachers. A qualitative approach situated in a critical theory paradigm was used for the study. The study was informed by the ideas of Foucault and feminist theory. Fourteen women between ages 20 and 60 were interviewed about their experience of teaching cultural safety. Five women were Maori and 9 were Pakeha. Following data analysis, three major themes were identified: that the Treaty of Waitangi provides for an examination of power in cultural safety education; that the broad concept of difference influences the experience of teaching cultural safety; and that the experience of teaching cultural safety has personal, professional, and political dimensions. These dimensions were experienced differently by Maori and Pakeha teachers.