Abstract: ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Emergency nursing is a specialty concerned with the care of people of all ages, with either perceived or actual unwellness presenting to the emergency department(ED) for assessment, resuscitation, investigation, treatment and review of their illness or injury. Emergency nurses apply specialty knowledge and expertise in the provision, delivery and evaluation of emergency nursing care. Over recent decades social, political and professional changes have affected nursing care delivery and nursing education. In particular the 21st century has witnessed the development of state funded postgraduate nursing education programmes, developing nurses specialty or advanced nursing knowledge, quality patient/client care and nursing practice within the tertiary education system.
AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate emergency nurses? perceptions of the impact of postgraduate education on their practice in New Zealand (NZ).
METHODS: This study utilises critical social theory as the overarching framework, informed by the writing of Jürgen Habermas (b.1929- ). It is the three phases of
Habermas?s practical intent of critical social theory; namely enlightenment, empowerment and emancipation, that this study is concerned with. This descriptive research study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods and is therefore known as mixed-methods research. Data collection took place over 12 weeks, from August to November 2006, using a survey questionnaire obtained with permission from Ms Dianne Pelletier, Sydney, Australia. The sample included 105 emergency nurses from District Health Board (DHB) emergency departments in NZ, 10 respondents from this sample self-selected to be interviewed by telephone. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the University of Otago Ethics Committee for research involving human participants. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
RESULTS: Two main themes arose from the thematic analysis; these being positive and negative, these themes were further divided into 10 sub-themes. The results indicate that postgraduate study (PGS) has increased nurses? perception of their knowledge; leadership and understanding on the quality of patient care delivered, increased their academic and research skills and increased their confidence/self-esteem and recognition by their colleagues and team. Therefore the majority of respondents perceive postgraduate education has been an instrument of liberation and a process of empowerment and emancipation. A smaller percentage of respondents perceived that PGS had no effect on various aspects of patient care and another significantly smaller percentage of respondents reported negative results from PGS. This research identified similarities between this study and that of Pelletier and colleagues? (2003; , 2005; , 1998a; , 1998b) Australian study.
CONCLUSION: This study adds to the existing literature on postgraduate studies undertaken by nurses. No known study has previously investigated solely emergency nurses?perceptions of the effects of PGS, either nationally or internationally. The results of this study offer enlightening information regarding emergency nurses? perceptions of their PGS within NZ and offers a platform from which other studies may be undertaken. It also has the potential to inform nurses contemplating PGS and educators facilitating these programmes,as well as provide implications for policy development by the Nursing Council of NZ, NZ Universities, DHBs and the Ministry of Health.

Abstract: One proposed method for addressing concerns about a `theory-practice gap' in nurse education and perceived clinical shortcomings in beginning practitioners, is improved collaboration between education and practice. This paper is about a New Zealand nursing initiative to promote optimal learning outcomes for nursing students through supported hospital clinical experiences. It is implemented through a contractual partnership between Lakeland Health Limited in Rotorua, and Waiariki Institute of Technology. An associated “Clinical Nurse Educator Programme”, developed by lecturers at Waiariki's nursing school, prepares hospital nurses to be Clinical Nurse Educators. These “C.N.Es” replace and enhance the clinical role formerly provided by nursing lecturers, and short term contracted nurses. The programme is entering its fourth year with positive evaluations, and has extended into another hospital. Literature suggests that although educators are important, students may consider hospital nurses much more significant for their clinical learning and developing confidence 'in the real world'. These nurses are on hand, and generally have clinical credibility not afforded to academic staff. However, ward nurses, like contracted nurse teachers, have reported not having enough curriculum knowledge, nor teaching skills to optimise student learning. This C.N.E programme addresses these shortcomings through its selection of experienced nurses in current practice, and 50 hours of theoretical and practical course content, to prepare them for the role. This paper provides a clinical and personal perspective of the C.N.E programme, its beginnings, how it works locally, and process for its ongoing development. Not only does this programme provide a bridge between theory and practice for students during their clinical practicum placements, but communication, consultation and collaboration between education, practice and the workplace have also improved. Nurses in both sectors are confident that through the developing partnerships, students and future practice will benefit from the aim to provide students with 'the best of both worlds'.

Abstract: The nursing education environment is complex and varied, and is affected by both the education and health systems. This report backgrounds the funding systems that underwrite the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) processes. The two primary objectives that have guided this collation are: to stimulate awareness and discussion of the issues around funding nursing education in New Zealand; and to promote understanding of the complex funding structures currently in place in New Zealand by students, nurses, nurse educators and nurse managers.

Abstract: This article summarises the current level of knowledge regarding dietary effects on serum cholesterol. Information from a literature review was used to design a table that identifies how changes in diet and activity can alter components of a person's lipid profile. Nurses can use the resulting table as a simple tool to give clients targeted education based on their individual cholesterol results. This tool illustrates that not all dietary recommendations to the public are beneficial to serum cholesterol levels and it also explains why popular diets such as the Atkins, Mediterranean, and glycaemic index / load can produce more cardio-protective profiles than the traditional low fat diet.

Abstract: This paper continues presentation of the findings of a North Island based research project that explored the impact of clinically focused postgraduate education on advancing nursing practice. Like their international counterparts, increasing numbers of New Zealand nurses are enrolling in advanced practice programmes. Yet, despite international evidence supporting the usefulness of Masters level preparation for advancing clinical practice, questions about the need for such development persist. This paper argues that postgraduate education contributes to the development of courage and that this, in turn, is essential to overcoming the barriers that currently constrain the advancement of nursing practice.

Abstract: Within New Zealand nursing education there appears to be a widespread acceptance of problem-based learning and an assumption that the strategies it uses are unproblematic. A review of the literature however, reveals that problem-based learning has drawbacks that may inhibit the achievement of desired graduate outcomes. It seems timely for nurse educators to exercise caution in uncritically accepting problem-based learning approaches and using them as the predominant approach to teaching and learning. To this end, a two-part critique of this teaching and learning method is presented. Part one critiques the methods of problem-based learning, discussing self-directed learning, the group process, self-assessment, and content knowledge. Part two explores the philosophical underpinnings of problem-based learning, and the so-called 'fit' within nursing.