Abstract: The author examines the complexities surrounding non-Maori nurse researchers working on Maori issues. She suggests that as long as respect and observation of Maori processes is shown, and work is undertaken collaboratively with Maori, then such a role is appropriate.

Abstract: This inquiry is an in-depth exploration of one middle aged woman's experience of strife in chronic illness and her nursing care involving four nurses (including the author) in a community context over a three-year period. The study is praxiological in that the understanding achieved is derived from practice within a 'research as praxis' methodology positioned in the disciplinary perspective of nursing as a practical human science. Five methodological premises inform the research processes: reflexivity, dialogue, moral comportment, re-presentation in narrative and critique. They emanate from an eclectic ontological praxiology based on the research framework constructed from Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics, components of other philosophical praxiologies evolved from an exploration of the practical discourse in philosophy and my preferred health and nursing assumptions. The research processes include researcher journalling, a summary of Sarah's nursing record and dialogical meetings with Sarah and the nurse co-participants. Using the research material a narrative is then co-constructed. The narrative is structured around what Sarah viewed as the overall nursing contribution to her care; the 'sharing of her burden of illness'. This, she maintained, enabled her to live safely in the community. Finally there occurs a critique of the narrative within a discursive framework. Three themes, embedded in particular discourses, emerged from the narrative both in Sarah's and the nurses' experience; paradox, moral meaning and metaphor. Sarah's experience is interpreted as taking place in the 'in-between space' of the disease and health-illness discourses. Two main concepts which depict the tension experienced in this space are the 'the ontological assault of illness' and 'entrapment in the disease discourse'. The nurses, in this instance, 'pushed the boundaries' to create a space for the nursing as a caring practice discourse on the margins of nursing as a functional service discourse. The author notes that, within the nursing as a caring practice space, many 'fine lines' were walked with Sarah. Walking the 'fine line' of an 'intense relationship' was seen as advanced nursing practice. The research highlights important implications for a person and/or families who live with chronic illness and practice and educational issues for advanced nurse practitioners. Further, it promotes praxiological methodologies as advantageous for expanding nursing knowledge.

Abstract: Presents findings of a study comparing student nurse attitudes towards older people before and after an introductory nursing paper that included gerontology theory and clinical practice in an aged-care setting. Administers The Kogan Attitudes Towards Old People Scale to 56 nursing studies students at the beginning and end of the semester of study.

Abstract: This research explores why and how nurse educators teach for social change. Critical feminist educators provide a useful framework for theorising about teaching for change that addresses issues of hegemony, agency, praxis, individual voice, difference, justice and equity. Six women Pakeha/Tauiwi nurse educators from throughout New Zealand volunteered to participate in this research and share their lived experiences of teaching for social change. In-depth conversations over two years unfolded new and rich material about how and why these six women continue to teach the evaded subjects, like mental health, women's health, community development and cultural safety. All teach in counter-hegemonic ways, opening students' eyes to the unseen and unspoken. Among the significant things to emerge during the research was the metaphorical construct of shape-shifting as an active process in teaching for social change. It revealed the connectedness and integrity between life as lived and the moral imperative that motivates the participants to teach for difference. Shape-shifting was also reflected in other key findings of the study. As change agents, the participants have had significant shape-shifting experiences in their lives; they live and work as shape-shifters within complex social and political structures and processes to achieve social justice; and, they deal with areas of health practice where clients are socially and politically displaced. The research also generated new methods for gathering life-stories and new processes for analysis and interpretation of life-stories. It is hoped that this research will open pathways for other nurse educators to become shape-shifters teaching for social change.

Abstract: Presents the results of a small study aimed at eliciting the beliefs and attitudes of a group of senior nurses with respect to the concept of cultural safety, and their perception of its role in clinical practice.

Abstract: This study explores the experience of being an orthopaedic nurse. As an orthopaedic nurse the author had concerns that the validity of orthopaedic nursing as a unique scope of practice was being questioned. In this thesis, the case for orthopaedic nursing is argued, by showing it as a specialty in its own right. A qualitative approach informed by the author's interpretation of philosophical hermeneutics as articulated by Heidegger (1927/1962) and Gadamer (1976; 1989) was undertaken. Phenomenology seeks to uncover 'taken-for granted' meanings in everyday experience and hermeneutic research recognises that the historical and cultural horizons of participants and researcher influence the interpretation. Eight nurses working in various orthopaedic settings were interviewed. Data was analysed using the interpretive thematic approach described by van Manen (1990). The nurses' stories from practice yielded two essential themes, 'being part', and 'gaining and maintaining integrity'. The author concludes that these themes interrelate and together reveal meanings and insights about being an orthopaedic nurse. 'Being part', shows the essential nature of relationships between orthopaedic nurses and others. 'Gaining and maintaining integrity' describes the embodied nature of the phenomenon. The overall thematic finding 'seeing the world through orthopaedic eyes' reveals the nature of orthopaedic nursing as a unique scope of practice.

Abstract: This study was developed to explore the use of seclusion in an acute in-patient unit for people with mental illnesses. Investigation into this issue was considered important due to an identified large increase in seclusion use over the previous two years. The study used a qualitative research methodology with a descriptive and interpretive approach. Data collection included a retrospective file audit of patients who had been secluded over the past seven years, and one-to-one staff interviews. It also includes the author's personal reflections of seclusion events. The principle reason for using seclusion was violence and aggression in the context of mental illness. It was also used for people who were at risk of, or who had previously absconded from the unit. A recovery approach and the use of the strengths model was fundamental to nurses' way of working with patients in the unit. Nurses believed that the strengths process should be adapted to the person's level of acuity and to their ability to engage in this approach in a tangible way. Seclusion continues to be a clinical management option in the unit that is the subject of this study. However, in many circumstances there are other options that could be explored so that the utmost consideration is given to the dignity, privacy and safety of that person.

Abstract: The focus for this research was nursing culture satisfaction and intent to remain working within a secondary hospital in the New Zealand public healthcare system. A specific group of 117 registered and enrolled nurses were surveyed to identify what issues would encourage them to remain working within the organisation. Descriptive data derived from the Nursing Culture Satisfaction Questionnaire found higher levels of job satisfaction and intention to stay from the staff in operating theatre, compared to other surveyed areas. Factors reported as contributing to job satisfaction included supportive, friendly staff, teamwork, and organisation size. Important issues regarding recruitment and retention include pay parity, personal satisfaction, conditions of employment, the valuing of staff and poor nurse patient ratios. Findings suggest that hospital management should foster positive work environments and respect, to promote job satisfaction and discourage nurses leaving the organisation. While pay parity was a large issue at the time of the questionnaire, the inclusion of the district health board in the nurse Multi Employer Collective Agreement may have reduced this as a contributing factor.