Abstract: This action research inquiry explores communication and nursing practice in an effort to improve practice and enhance patient care. Action research is a critical reflective process that involves spirals or cycles of planning, acting, reflecting/evaluating and replanning the next cycle. Using ear syringing as a procedure, in the general practice setting and at two separate surgeries, the author and another practice nurse co-researched this study during working hours. Twelve people consented to participate in the research that involved the audiotaping of each ear syringing interaction. Following each transcription of the recording, the researchers read their own and then each other's transcripts, and listened to the recordings. They discussed and reflected on their findings and planned the next cycle. Throughout the process, the researchers found a number of areas of practice to change or enhance. Changes included the use of technical language such as “contraindications” and “auditory meatus”, the side effects of syringing, improvements in communicating situations where ear syringing is not recommended and the options available, and post procedure information. These changes became a significant challenge, for example when both researchers forgot the changes, thus repeating previous errors and omissions. This factor highlighted the need to practise any changes prior to interactions, and to have a cue card on hand to facilitate recollection and to cement improvements into practice. Although time constraints limited this inquiry to three cycles, at the final meeting the researchers agreed to continue the reflective process they had begun to explore their practice.

Abstract: The question explored in this research project is: What are inpatient registered nurses' perceptions of the factors which influence therapeutic relationship development? The literature reviewed for this project includes the history of interpersonal relationships in nursing; therapeutic relationships; what constitutes these relationships. Also discussed is literature about phenomenology as the underlying theoretical and philosophical position that informs the research method. To answer the research question a single focus group was used to gather data from a group of registered nurses practising in inpatient mental health units. Focus groups as a data collection method produce data and insights that would not be accessible without the group interaction. The key themes to emerge from the data analysis were; time, environment, knowing / self-awareness, compassion and power imbalance / empowerment. These key themes are discussed in relation to the literature and the wider context of the mental health care environment. The contribution this research makes to nursing includes a list of recommendations to nurses, nurse leaders and managers who aim to provide therapeutic mental health unit environments.

Abstract: This literature review critically examines contributing factors to the current nursing shortage in New Zealand, centering on recruitment and retention of registered nurses. There is a dramatic widening between the supply of registered nurses and the demand for their services. All regions in New Zealand are reporting difficulty in hiring experienced and specialty nurses, and recruiting time is lengthening. This report suggests that the shortage is closely linked to factors in the nursing care environment. As a result of multiple factors during the centralising, cost-containing, acuity-increasing decade of the 1990s, the care environment has driven practising nurses out of acute care settings and discouraged new students from entering the profession. The availability of numerous alternative career opportunities has heightened the effect. Continuing causes to the non-selection of nursing as a profession are the influences of wage compression and limited career progression over the lifetime of the nurse, and insufficient orientation and mentoring of new nurses. Recent changes in the health care system have gone unevaluated and without oversight by nursing regulatory agencies – a situation not in the best interests of patients or nurses. A number of both literature-supported and resourceful approaches, including recommendations towards addressing the nursing shortage are proposed in this review.

Abstract: In this report, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) releases the findings from its first-ever members' employment survey. The questionnaire, based on the United Kingdom?s Royal College of Nurse?s annual survey (which has been running for 21 years) covered core employment issues: employment agreements, hours, pay, job change, along with demographic details, as well as questions around plans for and perceptions of working life for over 800 NZNO members.

Abstract: The author has taken a broad approach to this research to explore the views of Generation Y New Zealand Registered Nurses towards the nursing profession, the work itself and their career plans. This study arose out of the author?s interest in health care workforce planning for nursing and in particular the retention of young nurses given the current national and global shortage of nurses. Because of the broad and descriptive nature of the research, a wide variety of topics are included in the literature reviewed.
Chapter one provides background to the study and an overview of generational cohorts.
Chapter two explores selected literature relevant to the concept of work and the characteristics of the Generation Y workforce.
Other topics included in this chapter include Herzberg?s work motivation hygiene/maintenance theory and a selection of literature about key workforce recruitment and retention issues.
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences

Abstract: Explores emergency nurses? perspectives and practices about the quality, importance and value of emergency nursing documentation in relation to their personal beliefs, past experiences and preferred systems of documentation; the practical and contextual factors that influence documentation practices within an emergency department (ED); their interests in documentation tools or systems; and their interests in relation to further development of documentation practices and systems. Conducts a qualitative descriptive study in which ten emergency nurses from one ED in New Zealand were interviewed using interactive interview methods, and asked to complete a Likert scale to identify the relevance of internationally- recognised general influences on documentation to their own practices in the context of an ED. Includes recommended routes to development through partnership, participation and process engagement, and strategies including document development, knowledge advancement and support.

Abstract: Offers a NZ perspective on direction and delegation, a professional competency required of all NZ nurses. Explores nurses' perceptions about their direction and delegation experiences using a narrative approach, reflecting the importance of story in nursing. Uses the methodology and methods of narrative research to uncover how Enrolled and Registered Nurses understand the knowledge, skills and attitudes required during delegation interactions and how they applied this understanding to their communication. Identifies eight patterns, presented as eight narratives, that emerged from interviews with Enrolled and Registered Nurses, and the implications for nursing practice, research, policy design, and nursing education.