Abstract: Since 1991, nursing profession in New Zealand has primarily been through a three year programme. The purpose of this study was to explore the issues faced by a group of degree graduates in their first year of registered nurse practice and to identify if the degree graduatesoutcomes (such as critical thinking, problem solving, reflection on practice, research, independent learning, and using cultural safety knowledge) had mediated this transposition process. Purpose sampling was used to invite five female graduates to take part in two focusgroups, one held at months and the other at 9 months after starting work. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured questions and the taped interviews were analysed for themes. Five themes were identified: accepting responsibility, accepting their level of knowledge, becoming a team member, professional standards, and workplace conditions. Graduates were using their cultural safety knowledge but they perceived their knowledge of research was linked to further academic. Their ability to critique their own practice was evident but they found it difficult to challenge their colleagues' practice and the wider agency culture. Implications of the study are discussed in relation to nursing education and preceptor programmes and areas for further research are indicated

Abstract: High stress and staff turnover in a multi-specialty paediatric area prompted this study that aimed to :1) measure the burnout level of nurses in a multi-specialty paediatric area2) identify and validate causes of stress3) identify new ways of preventing stress on the wardFifty four percent (n=14) of the paediatric nurses completed the questionnaire booklet that included demographic data, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Nursing Situations Questionnaire the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-21 the Ways of Coping Checklist and open ended questions about sources of stress and satisfaction at work. Results indicated levelsof burnout and distress comparable with larger studies. Conflict with doctors was the major source of stress followed by workload, inadequate preparation in dealing with the emotional needs of patients and their families and death and dying. Conflict with doctors has not previously been identified as the major source of stress. However workload and death and dying are commonly identified as sources in the literature. Suggestions for further research and the low response rate are discussed

Abstract: Two convenience samples of 90 NZ registered nurses responded to two structured questionnaires designed to explore nurses views of caring in nursing practice.The studies demonstrate that nurses see caring as a central concept in their practice. From the response the meaning of caring was found to be multi dimensional, consisting of six components: value, expressive, action, relationship, knowledge and purpose. The value dimension includes areas such as humanistic value and professional value. The expressive component consists of empathy, compassion, trust, concern, sharing and willingness. Action components are helping, comforting, being there, empowering, advocacy, nurturing, advising, touching and performing nursing procedures. The major relationship component is partnership. An important part of the knowledge component is clinical expertise and the purposive component of caring consists of meeting health needs and promoting healing and welfare. The meaning of caring begins to emerge from these studies. However, they do not provide full understanding of caring phenomena. A further in-depth study of actual nursing practice is still in progress