Abstract: The aim of the study was to explore how practice nurses perceive engagement in Peer Learning and Review Groups impacts personally and professionally on their clinical practice. An anonymous self-administered postal questionnaire was completed by 55 practice nurses who attend Peer Learning and Review Groups in the South Island. A mixed method design was utilised to obtain both qualitative and quantitative data. Practice nurses considered group attendance was important for professional development with the majority perceiving that their attendance had a positive effect on their clinical practice. The nurses perceived clear linkages between the significant learning that occurred in the groups and changes in delivery of patient care. Additional benefits included improved collegial relationships, professional awareness and personal growth. The author concludes that, together, these findings underline the importance of Peer Learning and Review Groups as an effective tool for ongoing personal and professional development within nursing.

Abstract: This paper reports the three-stage development of a professional practice audit questionnaire for mental health nursing in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In Study 1, clinical indicator statements (n = 99) generated from focus group data, which were considered to be unobservable in the nursing documentation in consumer case notes, were included in a three-round Delphi process. Consensus of ratings occurred for the mental health nurse and academic participants (n = 7) on 83 clinical indicator statements. In Study 2, the clinical indicator statements (n = 67) that met importance and consensus criteria were incorporated into a questionnaire, which was piloted at a New Zealand mental health service. The questionnaire was then modified for use in a national field study. In Study 3, the national field study, registered mental health nurses (n = 422) from 11 New Zealand district health board mental health services completed the questionnaire. Five categories of nursing practice were identified: professional and evidence-based practice; consumer focus and reflective practice; professional development and integration; ethically and legally safe practice; and culturally safe practice. Analyses revealed little difference in the perceptions of nurses from different backgrounds regarding the regularity of the nursing practices. Further research is needed to calibrate the scores on each clinical indicator statement with behaviour in clinical practice.

Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to examine why postgraduate education has become so important, to examine some of the issues around mandatory continuing education and the practical effect of this on a nursing career. Four strategies from the Ministry of Health, designed to facilitate changing nurse education, are discussed. The importance of Professional Development Recognition programmes is discussed along with the need for strong nursing leadership.

Abstract: Conducts an exploratory case study investigating the experiences of third-year undergraduate nursing students in simulations, collecting stories about their experiences in the clinical environment, and highlighting the potential use of simulation as an alternate learning environment to foster the development of clinical judgement in nursing students. Considers two research questions: how do nursing students experience simulation as an environment for learning, and how do nursing students' learning experiences in simulation and clinical practice influence their development of clinical judgement skills? Conducts one-to-one interviews and observes simulations in the course of an exploratory case study.

Abstract: The authors defines health assessment and argue that it is a tool nurses should be using as a means of improving health outcomes for clients. The skills involved in health assessments are analysed, and four levels of data gathering are identified. The authors present an historical perspective, tracing the development of these skills as they have been incorporated in nursing practice in North America and Australia.

Abstract: This nursing study seeks to understand the experience of one group of people with chronic renal failure using renal replacement therapy, Pakeha men living on home haemodialysis. It is based on the assumptions that people living on dialysis have distinctive experiences that are characterised by common concerns reflecting their shared position as subjects of renal illness and therapy. In order to understand the experience of people living on dialysis, this study develops a critical interpretive approach, seeking the participant's own interpretation of their individual experiences. The experiences are then reinterpreted them from a critical standpoint, recognising that they can only be adequately understood by contextualising them. This enables the researcher to discern the common perspective underlying them in contrast to the dominant professional viewpoint in the renal setting. The concerns identified include symptoms from chronic renal failure and dialysis, limitations resulting from the negotiation of the therapeutic regime into their lifestyle, their sense of ongoingness and uncertainty of living on dialysis, and the altered interrelationship between autonomy and dependence inherent in living on dialysis. The study suggests that the individual accounts can be understood as resulting from the interaction of the various dimensions of their own personal social locations, including their gender and ethnicity, with the concerns of client discourse, reflecting their common position as people living on dialysis. The author concludes that one implication of this understanding is that the role of nursing in the renal setting can be articulated as a response to the experience of the person living on dialysis. The nurse can support the renal client in seeking to integrate the requirements of the therapeutic regime into their personal situation.

Abstract: This study aimed to identify how graduates perceived their clinical performance during their first year of practice. A convenience sample of 30 graduates was surveyed after 3 months and 7 months in practice, using an adapted form of a questionnaire devised by Ryan and Hodson (1992). The results showed that over time, graduates generally required less direction in all areas of clinical competence. After 7 months in practice, the majority of the graduates rated their performance in nursing skills, communication skills, and professionalism at the expected level or above. However, some still required direction with using theory and research in practice, with meeting client's psychosocial needs and with teaching clients. In the leadership competency, after 7 months, most graduates saw themselves functioning at the expected level related to client care and needed less direction in unit management skills. However, many of the unit management skills were rated as 'not applicable' indicating that new graduates are not initially placed in a management role. Implications for nursing education and limitations of the research are discussed.

Abstract: Examines nurses' attitudes to activities that promote career progression as well as training and education. Identifies demographic characteristics of nurses who are, respectively, most and least positive about career progression and training/education. Analyses existing data from the NZNO Employment Survey 2015, using quantitative methods to describe and compare responses with those from nurses registered with the Nursing Council of NZ. Investigates the relationship between nurses' attitudes about career progression and training/education and their experiences of participation in some of those activities.