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Rydon, S. E., Rolleston, A., & Mackie, J. (2008). Graduates and initial employment. Nurse Education Today, 28(5), 610–619.
Abstract: This research project was undertaken to inform nurse educators in the Department of Nursing and Health Studies of Manukau Institute of Technology of the employment opportunities for new graduate nurses emerging from the three year degree and registration programme. Graduates from the programme for the previous three years were surveyed for their experiences in gaining employment. 89.8% of graduates were successful in gaining employment in the first three months post registration. The number of graduates employed within a district health board declined across the three years but there were no significant differences between cohorts. Overall, 73% of graduates were employed into new graduate positions. The majority of graduates felt that their nursing education prepared them well for their role as a registered nurse. The findings of the qualitative data identified a strong need for science throughout the degree; longer clinical blocks; increased hands on experience; more practice with skills and less theory in relation to practical experience.
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McDonald, S. (2009). Graduate nurses' experience of postgraduate education within a nursing entry to practice programme. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 25(3), 17–26.
Abstract: Explores graduate nurses' experiences of postgraduate education embedded within a Nursing Entry-to-Practice (NETP) programme, a programme aimed at socialising new nursing graduates into their new role and work environment during their first year of practice.
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Horsburgh, M. (1987). Graduate nurses' adjustment to initial employment (Vol. 14). Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: An ethnographic study which attempts to understand what initial employment means to graduates from a comprehensive nursing course. The researcher participated in the first 3-4 months of the nurses' employment in general hospital settings. Five major themes emerge from the study indicating that the rhetoric practice of the school of nursing is different from the rhetoric and practice within general hospital settings. The reality of initial employment for the new graduated conflicts with the values and ideals of nursing promulgated by the comprehensive nursing course. The educational program stressed patient centred nursing, where nurses accepted responsibility for the continuing care of individuals. In contrast the hospital settings stress nursing as management of tasks across different patients. This conflict was a major source of frustration for the 'beginning' nurses. Ultimately they accept the reality of nursing as the management of tasks, but not without some personal cost. Orientation programs and the early employment period focus on 'fitting in to the system'. A significant determinant of the practice of new graduates are context effects such the time of their shift and the availability of experienced nurses. A number of management practices foster and maintain a beginning level of practice and new graduates have no opportunity to practice as autonomous nurses within a multi disciplinary health care team. Beginning practice is identified in new graduates through their difficulties in coping with unplanned or unexpected events. The initial employment period is dominated by shift work, resulting tiredness and adjustment to social activities.It is argued that management practices which support the ideals of comprehensive nursing courses and totally qualified nursing workforce have yet to occur. There are implications in this study for nursing education and nursing practice
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McDonald, S., Willis, G., Fourie, W., & Hedgecock, B. (2007). Graduate nurses and their experience of postgraduate education within a Graduate Nurse programme (Vol. (Monograph Series 2/2007)). Manukau: Manukau Institute of Technology.
Abstract: The authors note that the literature identifies that the transition from tertiary based training to the realities of industry expectations can be a stressful period for graduates. Various District Health Boards offer postgraduate papers within their graduate nursing programmes, resulting in graduates being expected to perform the role of a beginning practitioner as well as embark on postgraduate education during this first year. As yet, the authors note, there is little evidence available to substantiate the efficacy and impact of such papers. The purpose of this study was to explore graduate nurse's experience of postgraduate education within the Graduate Nurse Programme. The report contains the results of a survey of nurses within the Programme. This report details the results of that survey and make recommendations for consideration.
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Mitchell, P. (2007). Grade-1 pressure ulcer: Review of prevention evidence for “at risk” patients in an acute environment. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This dissertation is a review of evidence underpinning the recommendations for pressure ulcer prevention from four national guidelines frequently used as a foundation for best practice. The focus is on grade-1 pressure ulcer prevention for “at risk” patients, in the acute environment. Rationale: Prevention is better than cure. While preventive strategies maybe effective are they supported by evidence? Results: The strongest evidence for best practice appears to be limited to an established fact that standard hospital mattresses should at least be replaced by high specification foam, pressure reducing mattresses for patients “at risk” or vulnerable to pressure ulcer development. Repositioning, skin assessment, skin protection and maintenance, traditionally the basis of pressure ulcer prevention, appear to have a paucity of strong supportive evidence. Further evidence is emerging on clinically important areas such as erythema and mattresses. Implications for Nursing: The organisational or ministerial support for education of the multidisciplinary team, especially nurses in risk assessment and prevention strategies. This support is required both in release time and finances for education and in adequate funding for preventive strategies. The author concludes that strong evidence to support the recommendations of the guidelines appears to remain limited, particularly in the acute environment. Expert opinion would appear to remain the basis for current best practice for pressure ulcer prevention. The volume and consistency of this evidence worldwide is substantial and adds validity to the recommendations. Best practice includes firstly risk assessment, skin assessment, maintenance of skin temperature, moisture, and condition, and the importance of repositioning, in conjunction with an appropriate support surface. However gaps remain in the supportive evidence in many of these fields. Advances in practice include pressure relief or reduction considerations for all surfaces the patients encounter. There appears to be no gold standard for prevention of pressure ulcer development.
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Bigwood, S. (2007). Got to be a soldier: Mental health nurses experiences of physically restraining patients. Ph.D. thesis, , .
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Alcorn, G. (2001). Giving voice to school nursing as a primary health care specialty. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to give voice to school nursing as a primary health care specialty, and to promote the development of school nursing in New Zealand. School nursing is an invisible practice specialty that is largely funded from within the education sector, to address the health needs of student clients. School nursing is a significant primary health care initiative that can positively influence student health outcomes. The author presents her own school nursing practice experience and philosophy, prior to reflecting upon the history of school nursing, and the health concerns present within the student population. The work then moves to review and critique school nursing literature from New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This thesis highlights the need for collaborative policy and practice development initiatives including a legislative requirement for school nurses, school nursing competencies and standards, school nurse to student ratios, postgraduate training, professional liaison, practice funding, and research. A discourse on the reflective topical autobiographical method introduces autobiographical poetry from school nursing practice and reflective inquiry, as the central research endeavour of this thesis. Autobiographical poetry is offered as a window to this specialty practice, and accompanying reflections allow access to a further layer of practice knowledge.
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Tuffnell, C. (1987). Giving patient lifting a lift. New Zealand Nursing Journal, 80(4), 10–12.
Abstract: This is an action study where 298 patient lifts were observed and analysed according to environmental patient and nurse activity factors, frequency of different types of lifts were also recorded and Nursing lifting loads estimated. Findings showed lack of planning in preparation for lifts, a tendency for Nurses to perform lifts without help and lifting loads and lift types which put Nurses at increased risk of injury. Suggestions are made for giving patient lifting a lift. These require action at individual nurse and organisational levels
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Therkleson, T. (2010). Ginger compress therapy for adults with osteoarthritis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(10), 2225?2233.
Abstract: Abstract
Aim. This paper is a report of a study to explicate the phenomenon of ginger
compresses for people with osteoarthritis.
Background. Osteoarthritis is claimed to be the leading cause of musculoskeletal
pain and disability in Western society. Management ideally combines non-pharmacological
strategies, including complementary therapies and pain-relieving
medication. Ginger has been applied externally for over a thousand years in China
to manage arthritis symptoms.
Method. Husserlian phenomenological methodology was used and the data were
collected in 2007. Ten purposively selected adults who had suffered osteoarthritis
for at least a year kept daily diaries and made drawings, and follow-up interviews
and telephone conversations were conducted.
Findings. Seven themes were identified in the data: (1) Meditative-like stillness
and relaxation of thoughts; (2) Constant penetrating warmth throughout the
body; (3) Positive change in outlook; (4) Increased energy and interest in the
world; (5) Deeply relaxed state that progressed to a gradual shift in pain and
increased interest in others; (6) Increased suppleness within the body and (7)
More comfortable, flexible joint mobility. The essential experience of ginger
compresses exposed the unique qualities of heat, stimulation, anti-inflammation
and analgesia.
Conclusion. Nurses could consider this therapy as part of a holistic treatment for
people with osteoarthritis symptoms. Controlled research is needed with larger
numbers of older people to explore further the effects of the ginger compress
therapy.
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Doole, P. L. (1996). Getting on with life: the lived experience of four adults with cystic fibrosis. Ph.D. thesis, , .
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King, S. L. J. (1999). Getting on top of pain: a critical analysis of surgical nurses' talk about their work with hospitalised patients reporting pain. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This thesis investigates the relationship between language, 'discourse' and professional knowledge and power in a specific context; that of surgical nurses' “talk” about their work managing pain in hospitalised patients. This thesis argues that the work of 'caring for' hospitalised surgical patients who report pain is influenced by discourses which are predicated on different readings/understandings of the body/patient, and from which different knowledge is constructed. Of interest to this thesis are the discourses of biomedicine and nursing, and their role in constructing a particular reality/ies which determine the ways in which surgical nurses talk about their work managing pain. Using the method of critical discourse analysis, the “texts” of transcribed audio-taped conversations with four registered nurses working in surgical specialties were analysed to uncover 'discourses of pain management'. The results of the analysis indicate that the biomedical construction of pain, and approaches to pain management, remain the dominant influence over surgical nurses' practice. There was evidence of nursing discourses with an emphasis on nurse-patient relationships also playing a role. These discourses were critically examined for what they reveal about relations of professional knowledge and power in this specific context of the nurses' practice. The implications for nursing and nursing research are considered significant because the study critically (re)presents a different perspective on, and reality for surgical nurses' pain management practices. In so doing, it elucidates an explanation for, and understanding of, why surgical nurses take care of patients reporting pain in particular ways.
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Thompson, S. A. (2000). Getting it right: An exploration of compulsive caregiving and helping profession syndrome. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This thesis is a theoretical exploration of the concepts of 'Compulsive caregiving' and 'helping profession syndrome' in relation to the choice of nursing as a career. These concepts are derived from Bowlby's attachment theory and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Both have evolved from psychoanalytic theory. The thesis explains Bowlby's development of compulsive caregiving in health professionals. The author notes that her life history and experience as a nurse educator and as a nurse practicing psychotherapy support this theoretical explanation. An argument is developed that the propensity towards compulsive caregiving is a strength in nurses. Nursing places high value on caring and many of the traits exhibited by compulsive caregivers are desirable in nurses. Nursing as a caring interpersonal process is explored with reference to the literature. However, nursing has been identified as a stressful occupation. Support strategies such as professional supervision and reflective practice are discussed. Thesis concludes with a suggestion for further research on compulsive caregiving and helping profession syndrome.
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Nicol, M. J. (2003). Genetics and nursing: Preparing for future health care development. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 19(2), 27–40.
Abstract: The author discusses the impact of 'new genetic knowledge' on society and how molecular and clinical genetics are having an increasing influence on routine health care. Increasingly, nurses will be exposed to this new genetic knowledge and challenged to integrate it into their clinical practice in order to ensure that patients and families receive the best health care available. The paper reports the percentage of undergraduate nursing curricula devoted to teaching about genetics and considers how the fundamental principles of molecular genetics and the clinically relevant areas of genetics can be incorporated into pre- or post-registration education.
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Mackay, B. (2003). General practitioners' perceptions of the nurse practitioner role: An exploratory study. Access is free to articles older than 6 months, and abstracts., 116(1170).
Abstract: This study explores perceptions of general practitioners in the Northland District Health Board (NDHB) regarding the nurse practitioner role, identifying their knowledge of and perceived problems with that role, and their experience of nurses in advanced practice. A purposive sample of all 108 general practitioners in NDHB was undertaken, with a response rate of 46.3%. General practitioners favourably viewed nurse practitioner functions traditionally associated with nursing, such as health teaching, home visiting, obtaining health histories, and taking part in evaluation of care, but less favourably viewed those functions associated with medicine, such as prescribing, ordering laboratory tests, and physical assessment. While expecting few problems with patient acceptance, the general practitioners felt that funding and doctors' acceptance would be problematic. Most general practitioners indicated they had knowledge of the nurse practitioner role and had experienced working with a nurse in advanced practice, but some uncertainty and lack of knowledge about the nurse practitioner role was evident. The author recommends more education and discussion with Northland general practitioners to ensure they are fully informed about the nurse practitioner role and its potential positioning in primary healthcare, to reduce uncertainty, minimise role confusion and promote collaboration between general practitioners and nurse practitioners.
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Phibbs, S., & Curtis, B. (2006). Gender, nursing and the PBRF. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 22(2), 4–11.
Abstract: The authors examine gender based disparities for academics with respect to remuneration, academic grading and Perfomance Based Research Fund (PBRF) scores, whereby women do less well than men in each of these areas. In this article individualised explanations for the failure of women to progress are set in the context of a critical exploration of the PBRF evaluation methodology. It is argued that both academia and the PBRF research assessment exercise embody a form of academic masculinity that systematically disadvantages women in general and nursing in particular.
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