Abstract: This thesis presents a study of a nursing 'practicum' from the perspectives of nursing students and staff 'buddies'. A grounded theory approach was used to interview six nursing students during their transition placement, the final practicum of their Diploma in Nursing programme. Five staff nurse buddies selected by the students were also interviewed. An informal, conversational interview was used and data was analysed from an experiential learning perspective.This study differs from others because it focuses on the clinical experience component of nursing education, 'practicum', and includess practitioners viewpoints. At present there is a re-evaluing of experience within nursing education with a new emphasis on practice-based learning. Experience-based learning is becoming increasingly acceptable within academia as a 'seamless' education system evolves.I identified three learning stages which students' experience during practicum – initiation, exploration and consolidation. The key stage for learning through experience was exploration. Learning during this stage was predominantly buddy-directed which contradicted the self-directed curriculum design. Students and staff nurses however agreed that communication between them during this stage enabled the development of 'competence'.The learning /teaching approach used by the students and staff nurses made it difficult for students to translate their 'all-round' competencies during practicum. It is argued that it is the useof such competencies during practicum which enable nursing students to become autonomous in the attitudinal and epistemological sense. The predominantly 'technical training' approach adopted was understood by students and staff nurses to be reinforced by 'silence' from tutors.Restructuring gives the opportunity for nursing to develop an ';investigative', enquiry-based approach in practice. There will increasingly be an emphasis on practice-based research as a result of the implementation of degree and post-graduate programmes in nursing. This study highlights some aspects of nursing education and it's relationship with practice which can assist the development of such an approach

Abstract: The aim of this qualitative study is to explore four clinical tutors' perceptions of their role on facilitating Bachelor of Nursing students' learning in the practice setting of the health sector in New Zealand. Participants were asked to share their personal experiences including the positive aspects and the difficulties and challenges they encountered when working with students.Contract clinical tutors, are employed because of their clinical experience and expertise to enable students to apply the knowledge learned in theory and the professional competencies learned in the laboratory into the reality of clinical practice. This requires that clinical tutors be familiar with the curriculum so that their role as supervisor, teacher, facilitator, guide ands mentor can assist the student in fulfilling their learning requirements when in clinical practice. They are not, however, involved in the development or the teaching of the theoretical component of the programme. The difficulties and challenges identified by the contract clinical tutors in this study, resulted in discussion concerning strategies that could be adapted by the faculty to support clinical tutors in their role of ensuring the students receive the best possible learning opportunities when assigned to the clinical areas.Focus groups interviews were chosen as a means of collecting data from four registered nurses currently or previously employed as contract clinical tutors to work with students from an undergraduate degree programme at a small polytechnic.A two hour focus group interview was held as a means of uncovering the shared thoughts and experiences of participants. A second focus group interview was conducted to qualify information and elaborate on some issues. From the data collected a number of recommendations were identified which if adopted by polytechnics will enhance quality teaching by contract clinical tutors.

Abstract: This thesis presents a grounded theory study following Glaser's methodological stance. It explores nursing of the 10-24 year old client through interviews with thirteen registered nurses. The participants worked in a variety of clinical settings including community, hospital and specific adolescent services. From the analysis of the data emerged the complexity of the nurses work with the chosen age group. The study identifies that the quality of the nurse/client encounter may enable the young person to feel accepted and to be empowered to make their own health choices.This thesis identifies how Having Attitude is seen by the nurse participants as critical in the care of the young person. Having Attitude is about the nurse balancing the dependence/independence needs of the young person with their family and peers, and about being acceptable to the client. This results from the work of the nurse which is characterised by the nurse being competent' and 'being supportive whilst taking into account all of the socio-political factors that effect the nurses working situation. The socio-political context impacts upon the young persons life in terms of the types of health issues they have, and the availability and affordability of appropriate health services. It also impacts on the environment in which the nurse works, in terms of the complexity of the concerns with which young people present, current health reforms and funding issues. The nurse needs to have a broad knowledge base and ability to work within a complex situation. Nurses believe they can make a difference to the young persons health experience when they are supportive, competent and have attitude