Abstract: This research is about preceptorship in nursing. There is considerable emphasis placed on health care organisations to support newly appointed graduate nurses, and preceptorship is a recommended model. Despite this emphasis, the author suggests that little is known about how preceptorship partnerships work in practice. The primary focus of this exploratory descriptive qualitative study was to explore the perspectives that preceptors and preceptees, who had worked in partnership, had about how they established and sustained their respective roles. Three sets of registered nurses who had recently completed a preceptorship experience were interviewed about their partnership. Content and thematic analysis of this descriptive data revealed four main themes. The preceptorship relationship grows out of respect for each another and develops as a result of honest and open communication. Preceptees who have an initial positive experience into their new work area settle quickly and efficiently into their new role. Preceptees appreciate preceptors who are welcoming, supportive and willing to undertake the role, while preceptors are happy to undertake the role if the graduate displays an interest in learning and are willing to be guided. The preceptee learns what it means to be a registered nurse in the particular working context, while the preceptor learns how to support learning processes and evidence-based practices. The author goes on to say that further exploration and investigation of these themes and of the relationships that evolve during preceptorship partnerships is needed. By understanding these findings, organisations can prepare both the preceptor and preceptee as they begin to undertake their role to ensure future partnerships will be successful.

Abstract: This thesis is a philosophical inquiry that reflects a personal search for the meaning of ontological competency undertaken by the author after developing breast cancer. The text weaves together in creative synthesis, a collection of academic and personal writing undertaken during an MA (Applied) in Nursing degree process. Using the work of Dowling Singe (1999), Watson (1999), and Wilber (1985, 1990, 1991 & 2000), the thesis seeks, through the use of reflective autobiographical inquiry (Johnstone 1999a), to explore the personal meaning-making activities engaged in during this time to throw light upon the nature of nurse / nursing being. Exploring developmental schemata drawn from personal experience and illuminated by theory, nurses and nursing are challenged to become more self-reflective and self-aware. To facilitate the personal and professional growth that underpins notions of ontological competency, various aids in the form of maps and models are provided to support a transformative journey into awareness. From this position of expanding consciousness, the nurse / nursing is encouraged to reach beyond current paradigms, metaparadigms, epistemologies, and restrictive philosophies and to yield to the evolutionary imperative that seeks to prepare for a 21st century clinical practice where caring / healing becomes embodied enactment from “the Ground of All Being”.

Abstract: This article examines the concept of clinical supervision as “professional supervision”. Professional supervision contains many elements, is structured and not without effort. Fundamentally it is about being safe and professional. 'Reflective learning' and 'Live/tutorial' models are reviewed in different contexts for assisting nurses work through everyday issues, conflicts and problems of their role. The author concludes that regardless of which model is used there are benefits for safety and professionalism.

Abstract: Promotes the use of the SOAP(IE) framework for nursing documentation. Conducts action research to identify areas within cycles of planning, implementation, evaluation and reflection in need of improvement. Undertakes three cycles of action research using audits, surveys and a focus group interview with RNs in two DHB medical wards. Increases the uptake of SOAP through education sessions and tools, and nurse champions.

Abstract: Reports findings of an environmental scan undertaken as part of a larger study s to assess the current state of bariatric (extreme obesity) services within aged
residential care (ARC). Identifies bariatric-resident needs, and gaps in service provision to inform policy and service development.

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.

Abstract: This paper describes a discourse analysis of the process of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) in the recovery from depression. It demonstrates how IPT is an effective treatment strategy for mental health nurses to utilise in the treatment of depression. The discourse analysis highlights how the development of more meaningful subject positions enables one woman to recover from her depression. The process of recovery is underpinned by an understanding of women's depression as promoted by contemporary social and cultural expectations for detachment and reflexivity. This paper shows how IPT provides an opportunity for recovery from depression for one woman by facilitating a reconstruction of her subject positions in relation to others. The discourse analysis revealed that the therapist facilitated this through the use of a range of techniques: seeking information, exploring beliefs/values/assumptions, exploring communication patterns, exploring affective responses and exploring alternative subject positions.