Abstract: On call emergency health services are becoming routinely provided by some rural nurses, predominantly within the South Island. Rural nurses have been advancing their practice to accommodate the limited availability of general practitioners in rural communities. Although this is becoming routine practice, the author has been providing a service such as this for the past 12 years. This dissertation describes this practice in relationship to the present social-political context, advancing nurse competencies and her experience of rural nursing in a rural town within the South Island. Particular significance for the rural nurse is the required independent practice and overall responsibility when remote from traditional medical oversight. Providing on call emergency care with the possibility of a broad spectrum of emergency situations while maintaining competence for the unpredictable frequency (or lack of frequency) of the rural emergency is the focus of this dissertation. The professional and personal risks are high for rural nurses when placed in situations they are not prepared for or unable to remain competent to manage. Implications resulting from the critique of the health service literature on this subject are identified. Firstly, rural nurses need to be insightful of their own emergency on call expertise and limitations. Secondly, rural nurses require ongoing education and thirdly that appropriate education is available and accessible to rural nurses. Lastly, rural nurses require maintenance of competency so these emergency skills are not lost. This dissertation and the resulting recommendations embrace Nursing Council of New Zealand Nurse Practitioner Competencies. The resulting outcomes fulfilling the rural nurse's need for maintenance of competency for emergency on call care, the community's need for safe appropriate emergency care and national legislation requirements.

Abstract: This study examines the practice world of twenty two registered nurses working in medical and surgical wards of an acute general hospital in New Zealand. It is argued that nursing practice is a complex, context-specific, activity and needs to be studied using methods that do not assume an objective, context-free reality.The work of Patricia Benner (1984) guided this study which utilized a qualitative research approach to enter the lived world of nursing practice. Through descriptions of work days and a sharing of clinical exemplars, an understanding of the broader context of nursing practice was gained, areas of skilled performance in nursing emerged, and the meaning of making a difference for the nurses in the study examined. The central role of mutual advice and support in facilitating significant incidents in practice was apparent.An examination of the types of experiences which challenge current practice and change it in some way provided insight into the importance of experience in developing clinical expertise and the vital role of local knowledge in facilitating practice. Nursing practice emerged as crucial to patient welfare and safety in the acute care setting

Abstract: This paper explores the reaction of the author's colleagues when she returned to work disabled after recovering from an injury. In order to understand the new experience of disability and discrimination and to help answer what changed the behaviour of colleagues, the author considered evidence from the published literature. After considering many different models of disability, the social model of disability helped clarify and frame her own experience. Reflecting on this literature and personal experience, she suggests that there is acknowledgement that society's attitudes are changing slowly through governmental action and the activism of the disabled. However, she goes on to say, it is only through progressing education, experiencing disability, and continuing emancipatory research that progress will be made to release people with disabilities from their bonds of prejudice and oppression.

Abstract: This research uses focus group methodology to examine the public health nursing practice with children living with a mentally ill parent. These children are often neglected, yet are at increased risk of developing mental illnesses themselves. The research data identified the burgeoning impact on public health nurses of such care, and found their role to be primarily assessment and advocacy.

Abstract: This paper critically examines the literature on mammography as a breast cancer screening modality. It looks at what the New Zealand consumer is being told about the scientific uncertainties about the effectiveness of mammography and the substantial risks involved with it. This literature review raises concerns about the lack of information available for healthy women to make a fully informed decision about mammography screening.

Abstract: Describes the behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia, including depression, agitation, psychosis, hallucinations, delusions and apathy. Employs an integrative review to investigate why care-givers resort to anti-psychotic medication in the first instance instead of non-pharmacological interventions to manage such symptoms. Identifies three themes: low staff-to-patient ratios, insufficient specialised staff; inadequate understanding of the manifestations of dementia.

Abstract: Examines how pressure injury prevention is managed in aged residential care (ARC). Using exploratory case study methodology, collects data from Clinical Managers, Regisered Nurses and Health Care Assistants working in two ARC facilities by means of semi-structured interviews. Identifies barriers and facilitators in the prevention of pressure injuries in the context of organisational culture and structure.