Farrow, T. (2003). 'No suicide contracts' in community crisis situations: A conceptual analysis. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 10(2), 199–202.
Abstract: 'No suicide contracts' take the form of a 'guarantee of safety', along with a 'promise' to call specified persons if the suicidal ideation becomes unmanageable for the person concerned. They are commonly used in community crisis situations with suicidal people in New Zealand. This article describes and analyses the use of 'no suicide contracts' in these settings. It is argued that the theoretical base (transactional analysis) of the 'no suicide contract' is likely to be deleterious in the community crisis situation.
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Pearson, J. R. (2003). A discussion of the principles of health promotion and their application to nursing. Whitireia Nursing Journal, 10, 23–34.
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Speed, G. (2003). Advanced nurse practice. Nursing dialogue: A Professional Journal for nurses, 10, 6–12.
Abstract: The concept and characteristics of advanced nursing practice in New Zealand and overseas is compared with the nurse practitioner role. There is an international debate over definitions of advanced nursing and the range of roles that have developed. The rationale for the nurse practitioner role in New Zealand is examined, along with the associated legislation currently before Parliament. Job titles and roles of nurses within the Waikato Hospital intensive care unit are discussed and ways of developing the role of nurse practitioner are presented.
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Booher, J. (2003). Care of the patient following coronary artery grafts. Available online from the Eastern Institute of Technology website, 10(16), 15–18.
Abstract: This case study outlines the care of Mr. M, a sixty-six year old ventilated patient admitted to an Intensive Care Unit for management following coronary artery grafts. Mr. M's health history and risk factors are explored, in particular how they contributed to his presentation. Mr. M's post operative problems are identified and the rationale for his management is discussed with emphasis on the nursing care provided.
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McCallin, A. (2003). Interdisciplinary team leadership: A revisionist approach for an old problem? Journal of Nursing Management, 11(6), 364–370.
Abstract: In this paper the author argues that the term interdisciplinary team leadership should be embraced cautiously. Preliminary research suggests that interdisciplinary team leadership is a model of shared leadership that requires more development if it is to become the cornerstone of interdisciplinary team practice in a radically reforming health sector. Stewardship is proposed as a potential philosophy for interdisciplinary team leadership, and a new, shared leadership role of practice leader is suggested.
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MacGeorge, J. M., & Nelson, K. (2003). The experience of the nurse at triage influences the timing of CPAP intervention. Accident & Emergency Nursing, 11(4), 234–238.
Abstract: This study used a non-experimental correlational design to research the relationship between the experience of the nurse, with the application of continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) to patients presenting to a metropolitan emergency department with cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (CPO), and to establish what difference, if any, CPAP made to outcomes. A retrospective audit of records was used to extract data on all 54 patients that received CPAP over a 12-month period. The primary outcome measures were off CPAP within two hours, transfer to intensive care unit or cardiac care unit, and secondary outcome measures were length of hospital stay and death. There was a trend towards more experienced nurses attending patients who required immediate treatment or treatment within 10 minutes. These patients were more likely to be recognised at triage as requiring CPAP therapy. The early application of CPAP reduced hospital mortality, length of stay, and the need for intubation and ventilation. Attention needs to be given on how best to educate nurses so that more patients presenting with acute respiratory failure can benefit from nurses' decision-making regarding the commencement of CPAP.
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Haywood, B. (2003). Pre-employment health screening: Is it useful? Available online from the Eastern Institute of Technology, 11(17), 10–14.
Abstract: The author, an occupational health nurse, examines rationale for and effectiveness of the pre-employment assessment, which has become an accepted practice. Reasons for doing assessments include the reduction of risk to the employer from lower accident rates and absenteeism, compliance with legislative requirements and the provision of baseline health measures for general health surveillance. The costs of the screening process, along with the benefits are weighed up, in conjunction with international research in the area. The author found little research on the process in New Zealand. The opportunity for primary health care and health promotion practice as an aspect of this screening is highlighted as an important, though underestimated, benefit. Regular auditing is recommended to ensure that the outcomes of the process meet the criteria required.
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Ellis, T. (2003). A multidimensional approach to caring for a patient with breast cancer: A case study. Available online from Eastern Institute of Technology, 11(17), 15–19.
Abstract: This story follows the nursing care of a woman in her mid forties, diagnosed with breast cancer. The case study follows her from the diagnosis and decision to undergo a mastectomy, and the requirements of nursing care through that process. It discusses the emotional and physical preparation necessary for surgery, perioperative care, multidisciplinary care, and issues around body image post-mastectomy.
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Mercer, C. (2003). Interpreting the phenomenology of out-of-town hospitalisation using a Heideggerian framework. Available online from Eastern Institute of Technology, 11(17), 20–25.
Abstract: This article is presented in two parts. In the first, an outline of Heidegger's approach to phenomenology is offered. A basic premise of hermeneutic phenomenology is that people make sense of the world through the narratives they tell to themselves and to others. When the researcher uses this philosophical approach, persons communicate their experiences; the researcher interprets the experience and communicates that understanding in writing. In the second part of the paper, the experiences of four people whose partners were hospitalised out of town is described.
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McKenna, B., Poole, S., Smith, N. A., Coverdale, J., & Gale, C. (2003). A survey of threats and violent behaviour by patients against registered nurses in their first year of practice (Vol. 12).
Abstract: For this study, an anonymous survey was sent to registered nurses in their first year of practice. From the 1169 survey instruments that were distributed, 551 were returned completed (a response rate of 47%). The most common inappropriate behaviour by patients involved verbal threats, verbal sexual harassment, and physical intimidation. There were 22 incidents of assault requiring medical intervention and 21 incidents of participants being stalked by patients. Male graduates and younger nurses were especially vulnerable. Mental health was the service area most at risk. A most distressing incident was described by 123 (22%) of respondents. The level of distress caused by the incident was rated by 68 of the 123 respondents (55%) as moderate or severe. Only half of those who described a most distressing event indicated they had some undergraduate training in protecting against assault or in managing potentially violent incidents. After registration, 45 (37%) indicated they had received such training. The findings of this study indicate priorities for effective prevention programmes.
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Cowan, L. M., Deering, D., Crowe, M., Sellman, D., Futterman-Collier, A., & Adamson, S. (2003). Alcohol and drug treatment for women: Clinicians' beliefs and practice. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 12(1), 48–55.
Abstract: The present paper reports on the results of a telephone survey of 217 alcohol and drug treatment clinicians on their beliefs and practice, in relation to service provision for women. Nurses comprised the second largest professional group surveyed. Seventy-eight percent of clinicians believed that women's treatment needs differed from men's and 74% reported a range of approaches and interventions, such as assisting with parenting issues and referral to women-only programmes. Several differences emerged in relation to approaches and interventions used, depending on clinician gender, work setting and proportion of women on clinicians' caseload. Implications for mental health nursing include the need to more systematically incorporate gender-based treatment needs into practice and undergraduate and postgraduate education and training programmes.
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Fielden, J. (2003). Grief as a transformative experience: Weaving through different lifeworlds after a loved one has completed suicide. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 12(1), 74–85.
Abstract: This research is an exploration and interpretation of the lived experiences of family members since they lost a close family member to suicidal death. The findings have implications for nurses and counsellors working in the area of suicide bereavement. Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology was utilised and informed by van Manen's and Benner's work. Data from in-depth interviews with six participants, the researcher's journal entries and published literature were analysed. Findings gave rise to a grief model where suicide survivors moved through four modes of being-in-the-world characterized by 13 lifeworlds or themes. Surviving suicide was a transformative process that in time enabled survivors to discover new ways of understanding and relating to the world.
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Gaskin, C. J., O'Brien, A. P., & Hardy, D. J. (2003). The development of a professional practice audit questionnaire for mental health nursing in Aotearoa/New Zealand. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 12(4), 259–270.
Abstract: This paper reports the three-stage development of a professional practice audit questionnaire for mental health nursing in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In Study 1, clinical indicator statements (n = 99) generated from focus group data, which were considered to be unobservable in the nursing documentation in consumer case notes, were included in a three-round Delphi process. Consensus of ratings occurred for the mental health nurse and academic participants (n = 7) on 83 clinical indicator statements. In Study 2, the clinical indicator statements (n = 67) that met importance and consensus criteria were incorporated into a questionnaire, which was piloted at a New Zealand mental health service. The questionnaire was then modified for use in a national field study. In Study 3, the national field study, registered mental health nurses (n = 422) from 11 New Zealand district health board mental health services completed the questionnaire. Five categories of nursing practice were identified: professional and evidence-based practice; consumer focus and reflective practice; professional development and integration; ethically and legally safe practice; and culturally safe practice. Analyses revealed little difference in the perceptions of nurses from different backgrounds regarding the regularity of the nursing practices. Further research is needed to calibrate the scores on each clinical indicator statement with behaviour in clinical practice.
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Nolan, M., Featherston, J., & Nolan, J. (2003). Palliative care: Palliative care philosophy in care homes: Lessons from New Zealand. British Journal of Nursing, 12(16), 974–979.
Abstract: Drawing on data from a large convenience sample of caregivers in New Zealand, this article argues for a reappraisal of the way in which care homes view death and dying and advocates the more widespread adoption of a palliative care philosophy. Increasing numbers of people are dying in care homes yet little is known about the nature and quality of their deaths. The limited research available suggests that there is a need to promote a philosophy of palliative care that is not confined to the terminal phase of life. However, adopting such an approach appears to be inhibited by a lack of understanding, education and training, as well as continuing reluctance to discuss issues of death and dying in an open and honest way.
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Bishop, D., & Ford-Bruins, I. (2003). Nurses' perceptions of mental health assessment in an acute inpatient setting in New Zealand: A qualitative study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 12(3), 203–212.
Abstract: This qualitative study explores the perceptions of mental health nurses regarding assessment in an acute adult inpatient setting in Central Auckland. Fourteen mental health nurses took part in semi-structured interviews answering five open-ended questions. The analysis of data involved a general inductive approach, with key themes drawn out and grouped into four categories (roles, attitudes, skills and knowledge) in order to explore the meaning of information gathered. The outcome of the study acknowledged the importance of contextual factors such as the physical environment and bureaucratic systems, as well as values and beliefs present within the unit. The participants expressed concern that their input to assessment processes was limited, despite belief that 24-hour care and the nature of mental health nursing generally suggested that a crucial role should exist for nurses. In order for nurses to be established as central in the assessment process on the unit the study concludes that a nursing theoretical framework appropriate for this acute inpatient setting needs to be developed.
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