Abstract: The authors report a survey of all nurses working in hospitals included in the International Hospital Outcomes Study of staffing and patient outcomes in New Zealand's secondary and tertiary hospitals from 1988-2001. The survey examines the way in which the hospitals have been restructured and analyses patient outcomes. Research has identified links between how nursing is organised in a hospital and that hospital's patient outcomes.

Abstract: This study, which is undertaken in the Southland area, explores the effect of the increasing specialisation of nursing services in what is a rural/urban environment. It is indicated in the literature that systemic changes in health, such as the health reforms, and the increase in the use of technology have meant that nurses are required to function in disease oriented roles rather than according to their more traditional generalist roots. A significant event, which also affected nursing scope of practice, was the transfer of nurse education to the tertiary education institutions environment from the hospitals in the mid 1970s. The traditional nursing hierarchy and its nurse leadership role disappeared and the adoption of specialist nurse titles increased, and identified with a disease or disorder, for example 'diabetes' nurse. The increase in specialist categories for patients contributed to the nurse shortage by reducing the available numbers of nurses in the generalist nursing pool. The nurses in this rural/urban environment require generalist nurse skills to deliver their nursing services because of the geographical vastness of the area being a barrier to specialist nurses. Workforce planning for nurses in the rural/urban then must focus on how to reshape the nursing scope of practice to utilise the existing resources. This study explores how key areas of health services could be enhanced by reclaiming the nurse role in its holistic approach, in mental health, public health, geriatric services and psychiatric services.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore how young people make career choices and why young people choose or reject nursing as a career choice. This study has highlighted the complexity of this decision-making process, and the importance of making positive connections and offering appropriate support during this process. It seems that many young people are well equipped to make career decisions when given support.
The need to recruit people from minority cultures into nursing is a global issue. This study also highlights the need for an inter-sectoral approach to raise the profile of nursing and make a career that is attractive to young people.

Abstract: This study examines the communication strategies used by nurses on the ward in one aspect of the job, namely the ways that they describe health procedures to patients. The data used in this project was collected by nurses on a busy hospital ward as part of Victoria University's Language in the Workplace Project. Three nurses carried minidisc recorders as they went about their normal working day, recording their conversations with patients, visitors, and other staff. The data was collected in a women's hospital ward. All patients, nurses, cleaners and ward clerks were female; two doctors were female and two were male. Twenty three instances where nurses described procedures to patients were identified in the data set. The analysis identified several typical components; indicated there was no fixed order of components; and demonstrated that all except the core component of describing the procedure were optional rather than obligatory elements. The researchers note this is qualitative and exploratory research. The findings demonstrate the benefit of discourse analysis within a sociolinguistic framework for the analysis of nurse-patient interaction. The results indicate that health discourse is not one-sided, nor is it as straightforward as many nursing textbooks suggest.

Abstract: This thesis describes an exploratory study of registered nurses within a local district health board which pursued 'if' and 'how' professional practice frameworks assisted nurses in their individual professional practice. Self assessment and performance appraisal are identified as critical elements of professional development by the Nursing Council of New Zealand, and this became the focus of the author's research. A qualitative descriptive framework was utilised to explore the research question, where experiences of registered nurses employed within inpatient adult medical and surgical settings were collected through questionnaire. Analysis of the data was through general inductive thematic approach. Eight themes arose, of which, two have sub-themes. The first four themes relate to self assessment and performance appraisal and the second four themes relate to professional practice. The findings from the participant's perspective provide an understanding of how participants' utilised self assessment and performance appraisal to inform their professional practice. There are significant implications for professional practice within the findings of this study, which are presented along with recommendations for future practice, and future avenues for research.

Abstract: Identifies how rural nurse specialists (RNS) working in South Westland (SW) perceiver their personal safety in a rural environment as compared with an urban one. Uses a focus group to explore RNS responses and to identify the following themes related to safety in isolated environments: community, pressure to perform, and luck versus planning for safety. Suggests recommendations for future practice.

Abstract: Explores how patient safety is described from the perspective of clinicians and organisational managers in a NZ acute-care hospital, using embedded case study design. Conducts three interviews with health-care managers and 6 focus groups, comprising 19 doctors and 19 nurses. Develops the theoretical concept of safety capability: the ability to provide safe patient care based on resilient culture, anticipation and vigilance, along a continuum of safety levels.

Abstract: This literature review presents evidence on health professionals' practice in hand washing. The research was primarily quantitative and consistently showed that health professionals did not have a lack of knowledge, but that hand washing was not always done. More qualitative research is required to investigate reasons for this and possible interventions.