Abstract: Investigates intensive care nurses' resilience levels and their association with personal factors and physical activity behaviour; physical work activity behaviour during a 12-hour shift; and clustered physical activity profiles and associations with resilience. Performs a cross-sectional study with intensive care nurses from four units at three hospitals in Auckland. Employs accelerometry to measure participants' physical activity during four days, two at work and two in their own time, and uses the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale to measure resilience levels.

Abstract: The author notes that it is widely accepted that there is a global shortage of nurses, and there are many studies in the health workforce literature about the negative aspects of nurse work environments, nursing workloads, decreased job satisfaction of nurses and the impact these have on patient health outcomes. In the past five years there has also been international and New Zealand-specific research into the effects of health restructuring on nursing leadership, retention of nurses, and on patient care. Much of this research has shown that countries with very different health care systems have similar problems, not only with retention of qualified nursing staff due to high levels of job dissatisfaction, but also with work design and the provision of good quality patient care in hospitals. This dissertation explores the many detrimental effects on nurses and nursing leadership, of extensive, and continuing, public health restructuring in New Zealand. The context of this dissertation is New Zealand public hospitals, with references pertaining to medical and surgical areas of nursing practice. Health reforms have negatively impacted on patient care delivery systems, patient health outcomes, and retention of educated nurses in the workforce. In order to resolve these issues, coordinated efforts are required in New Zealand district health boards to develop and sustain effective nursing leaders, who will promote and assist in the development of strong, healthy organisational cultures to retain and support professional nurses and the ways in which they wish to practise.

Abstract: Sheds light on the experiences of seven women who have suffered pelvic surgical mesh complications as a result of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Emphasises the existential impacts arising from disruption to the embodied self as experienced by the study participants. Discusses problems with biomedical research on pelvic surgical mesh, highlighting two key clinical studies, and a NZ study. Employs hermeneutic phenomenology and a questionnaire to survey the participants.

Abstract: Charts a detailed description and analysis of how aspects of the strategies of the Nurse Safe Staffing Project work in everyday hospital settings. Argues that nurses' situated knowledge and work are being organised and overridden by competing institutional knowledge and priorities in a competitive institutional environment. Demonstrates the consequences for nurses, patients and staffing strategies. Conducts 30 interviews with 26 participants, including frontline nurses and participants in safe staffing projects.

Abstract: Explores, through kaupapa Māori (Māori ideology) research principles, the fundamental concepts guiding ten Māori nurses working in end-of-life care settings. Identifies the concepts of whanaungatanga (establishing connections), manaakitanga (generosity and care for others), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) as central to the practice of these Māori nurses along with the ethical principles of tika (the right way), pono (honesty) and aroha (generosity of spirit). Describes how these concepts and principles shape how these Māori nurses cared for their Māori patients and whānau, and for themselves. Stresses the need for the health system to better understand the Maori world view on death and dying.

Abstract: Explores the role of the generic clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in order to provide clarity and guidance for an evolving Gynaecological Oncology CNS. Undertakes an integrative literature review to identify the generic components of a CNS role, the factors that impact on role development, and to establish what current literature states regarding the impact of the CNS role on patient outcomes. Highlights clinical expert, educator, consultant, researcher and care coordinator as generic components of a CNS role, with relational practice key to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Abstract: Identifies how rural nurse specialists (RNS) working in South Westland (SW) perceiver their personal safety in a rural environment as compared with an urban one. Uses a focus group to explore RNS responses and to identify the following themes related to safety in isolated environments: community, pressure to perform, and luck versus planning for safety. Suggests recommendations for future practice.

Abstract: Examines the tensions for Maori nurses that are involved in the integration of cultural priorities into clinical practice. Conducts semi-structured interviews with 12 Maori RNs and nurse practitioners to determine their professional practice experiences of delivering culturally-responsive care to iwi, hapu and whanau across health-care settings.