Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Nurses Australia'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Nurses Australia.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Nurses Australia.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Tahghighi, Mozhdeh. "Resilience in Nurses Working Shift Work in Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69326.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of shift work on resilience and associated mental health and professional quality of life of nurses. Overall, this study found nurse shift workers had significantly lower levels of compassion satisfaction compared to non-shift workers, and they are coping with unique stressors that are in addition to the general stress all nurses are facing.
2
Vafeas, Caroline J. "Migration matters : the experience of United Kingdom registered nurses migrating to Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/703.
Full textAbstract:
This qualitative study uses heuristic inquiry to investigate the unique journey of 21 registered nurses (RN) who migrated from the United Kingdom (UK) to Perth in Western Australia (WA) between 2003 and 2008. The study explores the reasons for migration as well as the professional, social and psychological impact on each participant and their accompanying family during the first two years of settling in a new country.
In the contemporary climate of international nurse mobility, many employers are attempting to attract new employees, often with tantalising offers of an immediate visa and the enticement of a better climate and standard of living. Migration is costly financially and socially, with many nurses finding that the dream does not live up to the reality.
The purpose of this study is to search for the essence of the phenomenon of migration for RNs from the UK moving to WA, including the psychological and sociocultural adaptation experienced by the participants. With the focus being to capture the experience of UK migrant nurses in WA, heuristic inquiry was chosen as the research methodology, offering the researcher an opportunity to be included in the study due to personal experience as an RN migrating to WA in 2003.
The professional and personal challenges faced by the participants are examined in detail and offer an insight into the complicated and often frustrating process faced by UK nurses when migrating to WA. Three main themes were uncovered during the heuristic process: (a) making the move: finding a way; (b) new life: fitting in; and (c) here to stay. Heuristic inquiry encouraged the development of a creative synthesis to represent the whole experience and resulted in my distinctive representation, Nurse migration: A model for success. This model is underpinned by the theoretical framework used to support the research, the work of Kingma who identified the main push and pull factors affecting the decision of nurses to migrate.
Three main coping strategies identified in this study were: (a) developing resilience; (b) finding a new professional identity; and (c) having the ability to adapt to a new life. Feelings of belonging were found to be necessary to make the move a success, with the need for new friends and a replacement family being a high priority for all participants. This study also highlighted many issues that need to be considered by future UK migrant nurses before embarking on such a massive upheaval to their professional and personal life. Policy makers and Australian employers must consider the total impact of migration upon the nurses they employ and investigate how they can improve conditions that may allow them to “live the dream” both professionally and personally.
3
Zhou, Yunxian. "The experience of China-educated nurses working in Australia : a symbolic interactionist perspective." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2010. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/31866/1/Yunxian_Zhou_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Transnational nurse migration is a growing phenomenon. However, relatively little is known about the experiences of immigrant nurses and particularly about non-English speaking background nurses who work in more economically developed countries. Informed by a symbolic interactionist framework, this research explored the experience of China-educated nurses working in the Australian health care system. Using a modified constructivist grounded theory method, the main source of data were 46 face to face in-depth interviews with 28 China-educated nurses in two major cities in Australia. The key findings of this research are fourfold. First, the core category developed in this study is reconciling different realities, which inserts a theoretical understanding beyond the concepts of acculturation, assimilation, and integration. Second, in contrast to the dominant discourse which reduces the experience of immigrant nurses to language and culture, this research concludes that it was not just about language and nor was it simply about culture. Third, rather than focus on the negative aspects of difference as in the immigration literature and in the practice of nursing, this research points to the importance of recognising the social value of difference. Finally, the prevailing view that the experience of immigrant nurses is largely negative belies its complexities. This research concludes that it is naïve to define the experience as either good or bad. Rather, ambivalence was the essential feature of the experience and a more appropriate theoretical concept. This research produced a theoretical understanding of the experience of China-educated nurses working in Australia. The findings may not only inform Chinese nurses who wish to immigrate but also contribute to the implementation of more effective support services for immigrant nurses in Australian health care organisations.
4
Cope, Vicki. "Portraits of nursing resilience: Listening for a story." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2012. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/553.
Full textAbstract:
The nursing workforce in Australia is a workforce under pressure. Within in-patient settings, rapidly increasing turnover of more acutely ill or co-morbid patients, and staff retention issues, place those staff that remain under extra pressure to maintain a quality service. In nurse education settings the increasing imperative to recruit more students into the profession combined with financial cutbacks leading to staff retention issues creates a similar tension. Yet many Registered Nurses (RNs) do remain in their chosen work setting displaying tenacity and resilience despite well documented trials and tribulations.
A qualitative approach, Portraiture, was used to construct a collection of portraits which enabled an exploration of the ‘why’ that relates to the individual nurse’s remaining in a workplace often described as awful.
A narrative analysis of the portrait data allowed a meaningful interpretation based in current literature and contemporary experience in uncovering the individual’s resilience and motivation to continue. The portraits give an overarching insight of the nurse participant’s world view and why each continues in her work. The traits and attitudes uncovered have implications for educators and employers of nurses as well as for consumers of nursing care.
Several recommendations arose from the findings in relation to further research, education and policy making. These recommendations could contribute to enhance a satisfying professional milieu for the practising nurse; and to the education and ongoing professional development of nurses which acknowledges the changing socio-political and fiscal environment in which nursing service takes place.
5
Bakker, Susette. "Covert violence in nursing." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2003. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1296.
Full textAbstract:
There is no official avenue in nursing for the reporting of incidences of covert violence to staff and so they remain unrecorded and often stressful. This study sought to collect data from currently employed nurses concerning covert violence in their workplace, and to collate the information to obtain a valid assessment of this hidden problem. A qualitative methodology was used to report on the experiences of nurses in relation to covert violence directed at them by their peers, other health professionals, patients and patients' families. The participants were all registered nurses employed by a suburban health service. Each was given an open-ended questionnaire to: 1. establish the participant's position and professional experience within the Health Service, 2. request for incidences regarding the various forms of covert violence encountered by them in the workplace, 3. describe how they dealt with such episodes It is anticipated that this study will lead to an acknowledgement of, and interventions to prevent, such forms of violence. It is also anticipated that minimising the occurrence of covert violence will improve nursing productivity, provide greater job satisfaction for nurses, and promote savings in terms of less staff absenteeism, Workers' Compensation insurance claims and staff turnover.
6
Carville, Keryln. "The evolution and experience of stomal therapy nurses in Australia 1959-2000." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2003. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1488.
Full textAbstract:
In Australia, stomal therapy nurses are registered nurses who have undertaken an educational programme in the care, counselling and rehabilitation of persons-who have, or who could potentially have, a wound, an ostomy (that is an artificial opening into a body cavity) or incontinence of bodily waste. The genesis of stomal therapy nurses in Australia as a specialty group within the broader nursing profession was in 1971, when 11 founding members established an association for registered nurses with an interest in the care of patients with stomas. However, the serendipitous event that pre-empted the formation of this special interest group, can be traced to an individual nurse's first clinical experience of caring for a patient with a stoma in 1959. The purpose of this study was to uncover the historical events that led to the development and evolution of stomal therapy nurses in Australia, and to describe the lived experiences of stomal therapy nurses within that historical context. The study employed two different qualitative methodological approaches. Separate historical and phenomenological studies were conducted and the uniqueness and philosophical foundations of both methodologies were preserved. The two independent studies stand alone in their sample population, data collection, data analysis and findings. The historical study findings opened a window to the past and revealed the persons, events and forces, that were instrumental in the development and evolution of stomal therapy nurses and nursing in Australia. The phenomenological study findings revealed the essence of what it is to be a stomal therapy nurse in Australia and a member of the Australian association of Stomal Therapy Nurses. Comparative and contextual analysis of the historical and phenomenological findings was then conducted in order to enhance the understanding of the phenomena. This comparative and contextual analysis of historical and phenomenological findings has been termed histro-phenomenology and this approach has revealed the key findings of this study. These key findings revealed an exciting insight into the professional characteristics that define a Good nurse and-the behaviours and attitudes that reflect the essence of Good nursing.
7
Smedley, Alison. "Developing the nurse professional and nurse education for the 21st century." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2006. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/333.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this portfolio was to establish what educational strategies would enhance the professional education for the nurse of the future. Through an examination of various contemporary educational theorists' work. a conceptual framework was developed using the concepts of Hargreaves (2003) as an overarching model to establish the current positioning of nursing and nursing education in the knowledge society. The preparation ofa nurse who can function effectively and efficiently within a rapidly changing health workplace relies heavily on educational preparation that includes the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate for the role. This portfolio has examined critical aspects of nursing and nurse education in relation to the development of these necessary areas for future nurse professionals.
8
Blue, Ian A. "The professional working relationship of rural nurses and doctors : four South Australian case studies." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 2002. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phb6582.pdf.
Full text
9
Kay, Kate. "(Mis)powered practice: A critical investigation of nurses' manual handling experiences in Australia." Thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2015. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/aff5b143120e868cfdd79daf383dab498e97e6fac3ebbd7dd71abf81dea54ac3/3386211/201502_Kate_Kay.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Inherent in the nursing role are manual handling activities required for the provision of patient care. The physical demands upon nurses have resulted in high rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) within the profession. Despite the development of programs intended to reduce MSDs, sustainable solutions have remained elusive. Nurses continue to be disproportionately represented in the statistics for injuries arising from manual handling. Over 95% of nurses are likely to incur at least one MSD during their professional lifetime. The scholarly literature provides little evidence of the inclusion of nurses in the manual handling dialogue, despite their intimate knowledge of the healthcare environment. This thesis reports on a study of nurses speaking about their perspectives on current manual handling practices and their experiences of participation in injury prevention programs. The research explored nurses' experiences of manual handling within acute and aged care health facilities in two Australian states, with the intent to make explicit the assumptions underlying contemporary approaches to manual handling issues. The overall aim of this research was to explore nurses' manual handling experiences in the specific context of healthcare organisations. An improved understanding of manual handling from the perspectives of nurses has the potential to explicate aspects of manual handling not previously considered in the development of programs to reduce injuries. The overarching intention of this study was to give nurses the opportunity to verbalise and examine their manual handling experiences and perceptions, with an aim to explore any possible transformative practices.
10
Suppiah, Dall Veronica-Ann. "Factors influencing nurses’ attitudes towards information technology in nursing practice in Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1589.
Full textAbstract:
To understand factors that influence Western Australian nurses’ attitudes towards using information technology in nursing practice, a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. A questionnaire was responded to by 134 registered nurses and this was followed by interviews with selected participants. Various barriers that hampered nurses’ embracing computers and information technology were identified.
11
Osborne, Sonya Ranee, and n/a. "Compliance with standard precautions and occupational exposure reporting among operating room nurses in Australia." University of Canberra. Nursing, 2002. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060823.161225.
Full textAbstract:
Occupational exposures of healthcare workers tend to occur because of
inconsistent compliance with standard precautions. Also, incidence of occupational
exposure is underreported among operating room personnel. The purpose of this
project was to develop national estimates for compliance with standard precautions
and occupational exposure reporting practices among operating room nurses in
Australia. Data was obtained utilizing a 96-item self-report survey. The Standard
Precautions and Occupational Exposure Reporting survey was distributed
anonymously to 500 members of the Australian College of Operating Room Nurses.
The Health Belief Model was the theoretical framework used to guide the analysis of
data. Data was analysed to examine relationships between specific constructs of the
Health Belief Model to identify factors that might influence the operating room nurse
to undertake particular health behaviours to comply with standard precautions and
occupational exposure reporting. Results of the study revealed compliance rates of
55.6% with double gloving, 59.1% with announcing sharps transfers, 71.9% with
using a hands-free sharps pass technique, 81.9% with no needle recapping and 92.0%
with adequate eye protection. Although 31.6% of respondents indicated receiving an
occupational exposure in the past 12 months, only 82.6% of them reported their
exposures. The results of this study provide national estimates of compliance with
standard precautions and occupational exposure reporting among operating room
nurses in Australia. These estimates can now be used as support for the development
and implementation of measures to improve practices in order to reduce occupational
exposures and, ultimately, disease transmission rates among this high-risk group.
12
Osborne, Sonya. "Compliance with standard precautions and occupational exposure reporting among operating room nurses in Australia." Thesis, University of Canberra, 2002. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/66689/1/Osborne_2002_SP_and_OER_UC_Masters_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Occupational exposures of healthcare workers tend to occur because of inconsistent compliance with standard precautions. Also, incidence of occupational exposure is underreported among operating room personnel. The purpose of this project was to develop national estimates for compliance with standard precautions and occupational exposure reporting practices among operating room nurses in Australia. Data was obtained utilizing a 96-item self-report survey. The Standard Precautions and Occupational Exposure Reporting survey was distributed anonymously to 500 members of the Australian College of Operating Room Nurses. The Health Belief Model was the theoretical framework used to guide the analysis of data. Data was analysed to examine relationships between specific constructs of the Health Belief Model to identify factors that might influence the operating room nurse to undertake particular health behaviours to comply with standard precautions and occupational exposure reporting. Results of the study revealed compliance rates of 55.6% with double gloving, 59.1% with announcing sharps transfers, 71.9% with using a hands-free sharps pass technique, 81.9% with no needle recapping and 92.0% with adequate eye protection. Although 31.6% of respondents indicated receiving an occupational exposure in the past 12 months, only 82.6% of them reported their exposures. The results of this study provide national estimates of compliance with standard precautions and occupational exposure reporting among operating room nurses in Australia. These estimates can now be used as support for the development and implementation of measures to improve practices in order to reduce occupational exposures and, ultimately, disease transmission rates among this high-risk group.
13
Hense, Sibasis. "Intention to migrate to Australia: a mixed-method study of Indian physicians and nurses." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/96241/4/Sibasis_Hense_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
International migration of physicians and nurses is a growing concern in India as it is linked to skill and staff shortages in the Indian health system. This research investigated the migration intention of Indian physicians and nurses internationally with a special focus on Australia. The research employed a mixed methods approach, involving surveys and interviews with physicians, nurses and key informants. The conceptual framework driving the analysis employed a push-pull framework of migration. The study has both policy and practical implications for retention of physicians and nurses in India and in relation to the regulatory environment of skilled migration in Australia.
14
Seaton-Sykes, Philippa, and n/a. "Teaching and Learning in Internet Environments in Australian Nursing Education." Griffith University. School of Nursing, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20040218.122119.
Full textAbstract:
Since the introduction of the Internet, there has been an increase in the adoption of this technology for educational purposes. This development and widespread availability of Internet technologies, alterations in the needs of clinical practice and the characteristics of students, have all inspired changes in nursing education (Mallow & Gilje, 1999). In response, nursing education has embraced the opportunity this communication medium offers to the diverse groups of students in nursing. These students may be studying at a distance, or due to other constraints such as time or professional commitments, studying in flexible ways where students may or may not be in the classroom. In other instances, Internet technologies are being used with the aim of enriching learning in nursing. However, despite widespread development and implementation of these innovations, the effects on nursing education have not been extensively researched (Cheek, Gilham & Mills, 1998; Gillham, 2002; Mallow & Gilje, 1999) and little is known about how the Internet contributes to teaching and learning, what learning outcomes are, or what support is required by teachers and students (Billings, 2000). At this time of rapid development of Internet-based and Internet-supported courses in the Australian nursing education system, there is a need to ensure such courses are educationally effective, clinically relevant, and that resources are appropriately assigned. This exploratory study aimed to contribute to effective discipline-specific use of internet learning environments through increased understanding of students and academics experiences of teaching practices and learning processes. There were two phases to this mixed-method study, a survey of course coordinators, and secondly, interviews with eleven students and sixteen academics. The survey of diverse schools of nursing across Australia provided foundational information about the ways the Internet was integrated into nursing education, and the preparation and supports that were offered to students for Internet-based or Internet-supported learning. Guided by a constructivist theoretical framework, and analysed thematically, the key findings of this study were drawn from the academics and students experiences in a variety of nursing courses in universities located across Australia. The Internet was employed in these courses in a variety of ways. At the time of data collection for both the survey and the interviews, more courses were Internet-supported than Internet-based. A variety of Internet information and communication features were used in courses. The survey findings provided both a context for the interview findings, and a degree of confirmation of these findings. The context reported was diverse, consistent with an emergent educational environment that has few precedents to guide its implementation. The academics experiences revealed that teaching in online environments was vastly different to face-to-face teaching and required different practices of teaching and learning that took into consideration the separation of teachers from learners, and learners from each other. While often enthusiastic about the new environment, many teachers needed specific preparation, support, and adequate resources to teach in this new environment. Similarly, students experienced a dislocation from the learning environments to which they were accustomed. Significant shifts were apparent in the students constructions of both individual and collaborative learning that were contingent upon the separation of teachers and learners, and the necessity of communicating in a written medium. Both teachers and learners revealed how, consequent upon their dislocation, they were relocating to a new interpretation of time, place and relationships in Internet learning environments, and were reconstructing teaching and learning. The reconstructions of learning included ways of relating that built learning communities predicated on a shift in focus from teaching to learning. These included both a shift in individual students learning, and a constructed understanding that arose variously from shaping a fundamental comprehension or challenging thinking, to expand comprehension in the group. Through new understandings and practices, the participants were beginning to construct a place for students and teachers to realise the possibilities for enriched learning that online communities can provide. The findings of this study are discussed in terms of the possibilities for teaching and learning in nursing education, and recommendations are made.
15
McConigley, Ruth. "Providing education and support for rural palliative care nurses in Western Australia: An intervention study." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2004. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1655.
Full textAbstract:
Rural palliative care nurses (RPCNs) in Western Australia (WA) are a small population, who have embraced the specialist palliative care role since the first palliative care service in rural WA began in 1990. However, there are some challenges involved with being a specialist nurse in a generalist health care setting. fu particular, there is a suggestion in the literature that RPCNs may be professionally isolated, may be prone to burnout, and may therefore experience decreased job satisfaction and may consider leaving the palliative care field.
16
Bradshaw, Beverley. "An evaluation of a workshop on pain assessment and management for nurses." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1993. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1149.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess nurses’ knowledge of pain assessment and management, examine what change occurred immediately following a pain assessment and management workshop and examine whether any changes were retained one month later. Chin and Benne’s theory of change provided the theoretical framework for this study. Their approach to planned change involves assessing the existing structure, formulating and implementing a plan to change that structure, then evaluating the change. The following hypothesis was formulated for investigation: That nurses’ knowledge of pain assessment and management would increase after a workshop on the subject and be retained over one month. Based on the assumption that nurses’ demographic characteristics can influence their styles of learning and ability to disseminate knowledge, this study also examined whether changes in nurses’ knowledge were related to their demographic characteristics. To analyse this, the following were examined in relation to nurses’ knowledge of pain assessment and management: age, years of nursing, area of employment, level of practice, level of education and previous education in pain management. The design for this study was a one-group pretest-posttest-follow-up design. The subjects were 67 Registered and State Enrolled Nurses from country hospitals in Western Australia, involved in direct patient care, who voluntarily attended a pain assessment and management workshop. A questionnaire was adapted by the researcher and an expert nurse to measure nurses' knowledge. The results of the study support the main hypothesis that the workshop significantly increased nurses' pain assessment and management knowledge (ᵽ < .001), and that this knowledge was retained one month later. The remaining hypotheses related to demographic characteristics were not supported by this study (p > .05) with the following exceptions: Level Two Clinical Nurses (CNs) had more knowledge on the pretest, gained and retained more knowledge on the posttest and follow-up test than State Enrolled Nurses (ENs). Level One Registered Nurses (RNs) retained more knowledge on the follow-up test than ENs. In this study, each item on the questionnaire was analysed for each test. The value of this analysis was that it served to highlight where there was acceptance of or resistance to change in nurses' knowledge of pain assessment and management. Although generalisation of these results is inappropriate due to the convenience sample used, they support the opinion that a one day educational workshop can improve nurses' knowledge of pain assessment and management, and embrace the need for continued education related to this subject. An implication for nursing practice is that when nurses are prepared to learn new knowledge and change outdated concepts with the aim of improving patient care, this knowledge can be gained in relatively short courses of study.
17
Duffield, Patricia. "A Pilgrim's Tale : Travelling the landscape of rural and regional practice nursing." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/271.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is based on a model of critical feminist ethnography, designed to explore how practice nurses experience their daily work life in rural and regional general practice. Here, rural and regional practice includes small and large organisations based outside the metroploitan area that employ practice nurses, some in large regional centres and others in small regional communities. Ownership of the general practicioners, local government, regional health services, Aboriginal medical services, universities and private-for-profit businesses.
18
Walker, Helen M. "The experience of care assistants who care for residents in the final stage of life in residential aged care facilities." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/278.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis presents the results of a study that explores the experience of care assistants who care for residents in the final stages of life in residential aged care facilities in metropolitan Perth. Care assistants, with little formal training and no regulation, play a pivotal role in the direct care of dying residents in these facilities. Yet little was known about the palliative care role and the impact that caring for residents in the final stage of life has on this health care group. The literature relating to end of life care in residential aged care facilities revealed limited research in this area. In particular, there is a lack of studies that relate specifically to the care assistants' role and their experiences of end of life care. Research to date has focused on the context of palliative care in residential aged care facilities, the workplace environment, how to provide a dignified death, relationships and the central role of the care assistant. This study used a qualitative narrative inquiry research design.
19
Balnave, Nikola Robyn. "Industrial Welfarism in Australia 1890-1965." University of Sydney. Work and Organisational Studies, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/572.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines industrial welfarism in Australia from 1890 to 1965. This period witnessed the gradual spread of the welfarism movement throughout Australian industry as employers sought ways to increase productivity and control in the face of external challenges. Once reaching its peak in the immediate post-War period, the welfarism movement was gradually subsumed as part of the increasing formalisation of personnel management. Waves of interest in welfare provision coincided with periods of labour shortage and/or labour militancy in Australia, indicating its dual role in the management of labour. Firstly, by offering benefits and services beyond that made necessary by the law or industrial awards, welfarism was designed to create a pool of good quality workers for management to draw from. Secondly, managers sought to enhance their control over these workers and their productive effort, using welfarism as a technique to build worker consent to managerial authority. This could be achieved through subtle methods aimed at boosting loyalty and morale, or through more direct programs designed to increase worker dependency on the company. In both ways, individual and collective worker resistance could be minimised, thereby reinforcing managerial prerogative. Despite its adoption by a variety of companies, a number of economic, political and institutional factors limited the extent of industrial welfarism in Australia. These include the small-scale of most enterprises prior to the Second World War, state involvement in the area of industrial relations and welfare provision, and the strength of organised labour. While the welfarism movement did not reach the heights experienced overseas, it nonetheless provided an important contribution to the development of formal labour management in Australia.
20
Forrester, Kim, and n/a. "The Impact of Structural (Legislation and Policy), Professional and Process Factors on the Outcomes of Disciplinary Tribunals and Committees in Cases of Sexual Misconduct and Incompetent or Unsafe Practice." Griffith University. School of Nursing, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20040615.144659.
Full textAbstract:
This study was conducted in the context of the regulation of professional nursing and midwifery practice in the Australian health care system. In this environment, professional regulatory authorities established by State and Territory legislation in all jurisdictions, regulate and control the work of health professionals. In Queensland, registered nurses, enrolled nurses and midwives are regulated by the Queensland Nursing Council, the statutory body created by the Nursing Act 1992 (Qld). Part of the regulatory role of this and other authorities is to discipline professionals whose conduct or behaviour falls short of appropriate and acceptable standards of practice. All regulated health professionals, including nurses and midwives, are potentially subject to professional disciplinary action if a complaint is lodged in relation to their conduct. This being an important issue in the management and delivery of health care, and an increased trend among health care consumers, the dearth of existing research into the disciplinary process is a major concern. This exploratory study examined the disciplinary role of the Queensland Nursing Council in adhering to its legislative mandate to ensure safe and competent nursing practice. The study focused on the extent to which structural (legislation and policy), professional, and process factors impacted on the outcomes of disciplinary Tribunals and Committees in cases of incompetent or unsafe practice and sexual misconduct. The study was situated within the interpretive paradigm using a case study approach. Specifically, it investigated cases of sexual misconduct by nurses and unsafe or incompetent practice by midwives. The study was guided by Donabedian's conceptual framework of structure-process-outcome. This framework was seen to be most suited to the aims of the study and provided a template for in-depth analysis of the data emerging from the two cases. The findings of this study provided insight into the factors underpinning the decisions of the disciplinary bodies in making determinations and formulating outcomes. There was found to be a lack of consistency and predictability in both the legislative frameworks and the interpretation of terms and concepts used to identify conduct warranting a disciplinary response from regulatory authorities. Although the processes of disciplinary proceedings are prescribed by both legislation and policy, their practical application was characterised by considerable challenges, which resulted in varying outcomes. The thesis reports this information so that it can be used as an initial basis to build a body of knowledge from practical experience with disciplinary proceedings that will inform future processes. Subsequent case studies in other contexts and systems will increase the level of knowledge available to nurses, other health care providers, health care institutions and regulatory authorities. The initial base of evidence suggests implications for practice, education and further research which are outlined in the final chapter of the thesis.
21
Graf, Amanda Clair. "A mixed method study on Nursing graduate support programs in rural and remote areas of Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2020. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2334.
Full textAbstract:
Aim: To determine if the current rural graduate programs in Western Australia adequately support new graduate nurses transitioning into rural and remote practice.
Background: Graduate nurse transition to employment is a time of significant change and challenges often results in periods of transition shock. These challenges are magnified in rural areas when graduates have limited rural nursing experience and move to commence their career. Supportive graduate nursing programs are essential for enabling nursing transition to practice and assist in reducing attrition rates. Graduate programs were developed to smooth the transition for university trained bachelor’s degree registered nurses into the workforce.
Design: A parallel convergent mixed method design which was informed by Duchscher’s Stages of Transition Theory, the conceptual framework chosen to guide the study.
Method: Through a purposive sample of graduate and senior nurse participants were invited from rural and remote Western Australia during 2015 to mid-2016. The quantitative tool was applied three times to new graduate registered nurses of which a total of 34 completed the survey. The survey was applied once to senior nurses, 40 of whom completed the survey. Semi structured interviews were conducted for both cohorts at three separate time intervals. Ten new graduate registered nurses and 15 senior nurses were interviewed throughout the 12-month timeframe. Braun and Clarke thematic analysis was applied to analyse the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyse the surveys.
Results: In the first three months new graduates cycled through both transition shock and honeymoon periods resulting in a high level of satisfaction overall, however less satisfaction with the preceptorship. The level of satisfaction dropped significantly at seven months resulting in transition crisis before the adjustment period began. The transition occurred in a linear manner over three distinct timeframes. Limited resources were highlighted as an obstacle to providing adequate support in the rural graduate programs.
Conclusion: Graduate programs need to be structured but flexible to allow for individual differences in graduates and clinical situations. The honeymoon stage coexisted with transition shock which may hide the need for adequate support to continue. Inadequate and/or a lack of preceptorship was evident throughout the Western Australian rural graduate programs.
Relevance to clinical practice: Graduate programs need to be structured but flexible to allow for individual differences in graduates and clinical situations. New graduate nurses would benefit from a break midway through their transition year to assist and overcome the transition crisis stage. Development of the preceptor role through education is required to deliver adequate support to graduate nurses and decrease transition shock. Emphasis on the transition journey is required in undergraduate final semesters to help better prepare new graduates to manage the change from students to registered nurse.
22
Mukasa, Jean Pilirani. "'Worlds apart': Patients' and nurses' perspectives of factors that impact on nursing care of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Australia and Malawi." Thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2012. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/fc018e7aaf8bea1b3787852904e248d8985aca3a07a5274fd6dd7709ae4250ed/4969590/Mukasa_2012_Worlds_apart_patients_and_nurses_perspectives.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health threat, which is affecting a third of the world’s population and is reportedly the second most common illness causing death worldwide, secondary to HIV/AIDS. The developing world is mostly vulnerable, with factors like poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, poor access to healthcare services, impact of HIV/AIDS and limited or lack of diagnostic facilities and trained healthcare personnel — all compounding the extent of this global epidemiology. This research was an exploratory enquiry on patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of factors that impact on TB care in Australia and Malawi. The main aim of this research was to investigate the factors that enhance and/or impinge on the provision of nursing care to TB patients from the perspectives of patients and nurses. A secondary aim was to develop a model of TB care to improve patients’ outcomes. This research design was cross-sectional utilising a mixed methods approach. The conceptual framework was primary health care. The methodological framework was critical paradigm. There were five methods, one quantitative and four qualitative. The largest research method was survey questionnaire. The qualitative methods were open-ended survey questionnaire comments, interviews, field notes/reflective journaling and photography. Patient data was collected from 44 participants in Australia and a further 150 in Malawi. Nurses’ data was collected from 26 participants in Australia and a further 20 in Malawi. Convenient sampling was applied. Descriptive and inferential statistics including multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to assess predictors of dissatisfaction from patients. The overall quantitative and qualitative results indicated that patients and nurses were dissatisfied with TB care in Australia and Malawi. Dissatisfaction was predominant throughout all components of care: healthcare systems, patients and nurses. Dissatisfaction has 4 embedded components: insensitivity and judgmental attitudes, inadequate resources, lack of knowledge and experience and nurses are ‘victims’. The results also revealed a second minor theme of satisfaction experienced by a minority of patients and nurses, primarily in Malawi. The quantitative results revealed there were no statistical significant differences in the demographic characteristics of Australian and Malawian patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis controlled for covariates such as age, gender, marital status, employment status, being inpatient or outpatient, physical and mental wellbeing. Being inpatient and altered physical and mental health were the major variables that predicted dissatisfaction. Again, there were no statistical significant differences between the Australian and Malawian nurses in terms of their demographic characteristics. The level of education, qualifications, specialty of practice, duration of practice and infection control practices showed statistical significant differences. Based on the results and recommendations to improve care, a TB model of nursing care was developed. The model incorporates primary health care and health promotion principles. The model aims to give a voice to patients and change the status quo of this ‘marginalised’ group. It will therefore assist healthcare professionals to improve the health of TB patients.
23
McCullough, Kylie. "The delivery of Primary Health Care in remote Australian communities: A Grounded Theory study of the perspective of nurses." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2018. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2153.
Full textAbstract:
Around 85% of Australia’s landmass is remote and sparsely populated. Across these vast areas of desert, wilderness and tropical islands, nurses provide the majority of health care services. The residents of Australia’s remote communities have poorer health status than their metropolitan counterparts. The proportion of Indigenous people is high and health and social disadvantage is widespread. The characteristics of each remote community are unique and often reflect challenges associated with distance to tertiary health services and limited health resources. As a result, nursing practice within this context is very different to other nursing contexts. Despite recognition of Primary Health Care (PHC) as a comprehensive model of acute and preventative care well suited to areas of high health and social need, there is little known about how nurses use the PHC model in practice and research pertaining to this nursing context is limited.
This study was conducted from a Constructivist Grounded Theory perspective to generate a substantive theory. Data were collected through 23 telephone interviews and an expert reference group.
This study adds previously unknown information to the body of work about remote area nursing. The context of providing PHC in a remote setting was described as social with a focus on illness prevention and equality of care. Participants described personal satisfaction as a feeling of making a difference to the health and wellbeing of the community. However, the core issue participants faced was the inability to provide PHC. Four conditions that impacted on the core issue, were described as: understanding of the social world of the remote community, availability of resources, clinical knowledge and skill and, shared understanding and support. The process labelled doing the best you can with what you have emerged as the way participants dealt with the inability to provide PHC. The process involved four primary activities: facilitating access to health care, continually learning, seeking understanding, and home‐making in a work environment. The outcome of this process was considered to be making compromises to provide PHC.
This study proposes a substantive theory to understand and explain Australian remote nursing practice. Recommendations include further exploration, testing and refinement of the substantive theory. The implications for practice include development of education and support programs and the findings promote the case for providing additional resources to health services in remote areas in order to support nurses in providing PHC.
24
Oliver, Kim. "An assessment of nurses’ experiences of work related stress through self-reporting and hair cortisol analysis, in a metropolitan hospital in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2017. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2002.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to assess how years of experience and practice area influence work related stress amongst 1,200 nurses employed in a metropolitan hospital environment in Western Australia. A combination of self-administered questionnaires and hair cortisol, an objective stress biomarker, was utilised to measure stress levels and to relate these to practice area, age and experience. Questionnaire results indicated that there was a higher level of perceived stress for 40% of this cohort of nurses; the study methodology was able to unearth noteworthy factors within a local WA nursing population that impacted on their perceived stress. These being; inexperienced nurses suffer more work-related stress than the more experienced nurse. Leadership demands are a source of stress for nurse managers; and age and generational differences’ were also noted. Contrary to hypothesis two, this study could not determine a statistically significant effect relating to the practice area in which the nurses’ worked. Despite a weak correlation found between the hair cortisol level and results of the written questionnaires it is considered when used in conjunction with a stress questionnaire, that hair cortisol testing provides an effective diagnostic tool with adequate sensitivity to detect stress. The ‘curvilinear effect’ as reported by Wells’ (2014) postulated to be due to the physiology of the individuals coping mechanisms was replicated in this study, and therefore determined to be real. It is therefore considered that hair cortisol is a valid screening tool for stress in the occupational environment
25
Baker, Melanie Jane. "The application of evidence based practice in the acute care hospital setting: A grounded theory study of the perspective of nurses in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2020. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2377.
Full textAbstract:
Evidence based practice (EBP) in nursing is an important part of care provision, both in Australia and globally. The experience of applying evidence in practice presents many challenges for nurses. This study focused on the application of EBP in the acute care hospital setting. Grounded Theory methodology was used and 21 semi-structured recorded interviews with Registered Nurses from two acute care hospitals were conducted. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method.
A substantive theory was developed, Traversing the EBP Conundrum, as the process used to manage the core issue: The Challenge of Applying EBP. Time Constraints, Nurses’ Inherent Traits, and The Organisation Talking the Talk but not Walking the Walk, were conditions affecting the nurses’ daily practice. These conditions resulted in a discrepancy between the ideal mandated by the nursing profession and organisations, and the reality of working in a context of Consideration for Quality and Safety. In applying the process, nurses were found to Survive the Conundrum: Navigating Alternative Pathways; by Getting Lost in the Bush: Going Their Own Way; by Scaling New Heights Working Over and Above to Optimise Outcomes.
This study raises questions regarding the quality and safety of patient care, as well as the wellbeing of nurses, and the ideal of EBP which is mandated by professional bodies. The findings lead to recommendations including: further research into the reality of EBP for nurses and its impact upon patient outcomes, safety, nurses job satisfaction and nurse retention; consideration by the professional body as to how realistic professional and organisational expectations of EBP are in nursing; and a review of decision making by leaders in relationship to EBP, therefore quality and safety.
26
Baker, Melanie Jane. "The application of evidence based practice in the acute care hospital setting: A Grounded Theory study of the perspective of nurses in Western Australia." Thesis, Baker, Melanie Jane (2020) The application of evidence based practice in the acute care hospital setting: A Grounded Theory study of the perspective of nurses in Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2020. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/59140/.
Full textAbstract:
Evidence based practice (EBP) in nursing is an important part of care provision, both in Australia and globally. The experience of applying evidence in practice presents many challenges for nurses. This study focused on the application of EBP in the acute care hospital setting. Grounded Theory methodology was used and 21 semi-structured recorded interviews with Registered Nurses from two acute care hospitals were conducted. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method.
A substantive theory was developed, Traversing the EBP Conundrum, as the process used to manage the core issue: The Challenge of Applying EBP. Time Constraints, Nurses’ Inherent Traits, and The Organisation Talking the Talk but not Walking the Walk, were conditions affecting the nurses’ daily practice. These conditions resulted in a discrepancy between the ideal mandated by the nursing profession and organisations, and the reality of working in a context of Consideration for Quality and Safety. In applying the process, nurses were found to Survive the Conundrum: Navigating Alternative Pathways; by Getting Lost in the Bush: Going Their Own Way; by Scaling New Heights Working Over and Above to Optimise Outcomes.
This study raises questions regarding the quality and safety of patient care, as well as the wellbeing of nurses, and the ideal of EBP which is mandated by professional bodies. The findings lead to recommendations including: further research into the reality of EBP for nurses and its impact upon patient outcomes, safety, nurses job satisfaction and nurse retention; consideration by the professional body as to how realistic professional and organisational expectations of EBP are in nursing; and a review of decision making by leaders in relationship to EBP, therefore quality and safety.
27
Smith, Zaneta. "Hiding behind a mask : a grounded theory study of perioperative nurses’ experiences of participating in multi-organ procurement surgery." Thesis, Curtin University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1831.
Full textAbstract:
Multi-organ procurement surgical procedures are undertaken on donors who have consented at the time of their death to donate multiple organs, body parts or tissues. These donors fulfil the criteria for donation by either being certified as brain dead as a result of an injury or via a donation after cardiac death (DCD) pathway. Worldwide multi-organ procurement surgery has made a huge impact in both extending and enhancing the quality of life for recipient patients who have received organs from donors. Perioperative nurses working in surgical teams play a vital role in procuring organs from both paediatric and adult cadaver organ donors. The nature of the surgical procedure used for procuring organs, the urgency of coordinating surgical procurement teams and the removal of organs for urgent transplantation to awaiting recipients is fast paced and technical. The experience has been reported to evoke emotions which traumatically impact on perioperative nurses when assisting in these surgical procedures. There is currently a dearth of research examining the experiences of Australian perioperative nurses assisting within multi-organ procurement surgery.The objective of this study was to describe and gain a greater understanding of the personal experiences nurses encountered as part of their professional roles when involved in these surgical procedures. This thesis presents the substantive theory which has used a grounded theory methodology to describe the experiences of 35 perioperative nurses working within multi-organ procurement surgical teams from metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals in both New South Wales and Western Australia. The qualitative data from in-depth interviews were simultaneously collected and analysed to develop the substantive theory. The study findings draw attention to the complexities that exist for perioperative nurses to participate in these surgical procedures.The basic social psychological problem of hiding behind a mask was found to be a fundamental shared concern that the majority of perioperative nurses in this study faced when participating in multi-organ procurement surgery. The problem of hiding behind a mask was comprised of three stages: being unprepared, being overwhelmed and hiding the burden. The first stage, conceptualised as being unprepared, consisted of not knowing what to expect during the surgical procedure when they lacked prior knowledge and experience and felt unprepared for being exposed to death by operating on a cadaver donor and managing DCD donors within the operating room. Moreover participants were unprepared for witnessing the circumstances of each donor patient in addition to dealing with the grieving family.During the second stage participants described being overwhelmed with fears of facilitating death of the donor when they lacked understanding of the process of brain death diagnosis. They reported being overwhelmed at also having to witness the graphic nature of the procurement process and feeling overwhelmed by their own emotional responses to the donor’s death which they tried to hide and contain from their work colleagues through hiding behind a mask. Lastly the third stage of hiding behind a mask was identified as hiding the burden where participants were forced to contain their own personal beliefs and attitudes towards these surgical procedures whilst undertaking their professional roles. They reported hiding behind a mask when suppressing personal beliefs, hiding an objection to participate, not disclosing their own views or attitudes on death and spiritual ‘afterlife’ beliefs and lastly hiding not being able to cope when participating in these surgical procedures. The majority of the participants in this study articulated that various conditions influenced and directly contributed towards their experiences of hiding behind a mask. Three conditions were identified and these were reported as: work conditions, levels of knowledge and experience and levels of support.In an attempt to overcome the problem of hiding behind a mask, the data revealed that participants had to reach a turning point which was labelled as taking control. The turning point of taking control was described by participants as taking control of their own internal turmoil and rationalising the situation they were placed in whilst also changing their attitudes and thoughts towards their participation in the procedure. Once they had passed through the turning point of taking control participants were able to move beyond this point into the basic social psychological process of finding meaning.The basic social psychological process of finding meaning comprised of three stages: pushing through; preserving self and coming to terms. The first stage of finding meaning was conceptualised as pushing through. For many of the study participants in pushing through they dissociated themselves from their internal feelings and conflicts by focusing on the importance of their role and professional contributions towards the surgical procedure. The second stage of the basic social psychological process of finding meaning was conceptualised as preserving self, this saw participants implement strategies to protect themselves from both the traumatic experiences of procurement surgery and the tragic circumstances of the donors they came in contact with. Three aspects of preserving self were identified: being resilient; nurse self care and seeking personal support. The third and final stage of the basic social psychological process of finding meaning was conceptualised as coming to terms. During this stage participants were able to gain some understanding from their experiences by placing their participation role into perspective, honouring the donation wish and assisting in preserving life for the greater good when focusing on the needs of recipient patients requiring the organs they were assisting to procure. Conditions influencing the basic social psychological process of finding meaning encompassed: work conditions, levels of knowledge and experience and levels of support. Participants articulated these as positive influencing conditions such as a changing work environment, feeling less isolated and being supported by their work organisations.Throughout this thesis pertinent scientific literature has been woven into the research findings to illustrate the relevance of the newly developed theory and to place the substantive theory within the context of other findings and related theories to further support the trustworthiness of the current study data and the newly developed theory. The findings detailed in the substantive theory illustrate new contributions to the knowledge and understanding of the Australian perioperative nurses experiences when undertaking multi-organ procurement surgical procedures which will have relevance both nationally and internationally. The findings have implications and recommendations directed towards perioperative nurses, health services, perioperative organisations, government and policy makers.
28
Hutchinson, Marie L. "Bullying in the workplace a study of Australian nurses /." View thesis, 2007. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/33181.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2007.A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, College of Business, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Includes bibliographies.
29
Nitschke, Monika. "Glutaraldehyde exposures and health effects among South Australian hospital nurses /." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 1997. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09MPM/09mpmn732.pdf.
Full text
30
Suiter, S. R. "Factors influencing Western Australian clinical registered nurses in discharge planning." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1995. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1166.
Full textAbstract:
A descriptive quantitative study was conducted to determine what factors nurses considered when discharge planning, and how these factors compared with factors identified in the literature as being effective in planning for discharge. This study was undertaken because with the intended Prospective Payment System (PPS) of funding to hospitals, it is essential that Western Australian Clinical Registered Nurses are able to prepare patients for discharge effectively to prevent the financial burden of cost outliers and re-admissions. Anderson and Steinberg ( 1984) in their studies of factors that influence the cost of hospital care for the elderly, found that the results of inappropriate and premature discharges resulted in a 22% readmission rate within 60 days of discharge for all Medicare hospitalisation. Their (1988) study of readmission rates of Medicare beneficiaries between 1974 and 1977 showed that the added costs associated readmissions cost the U.S. government more than US$2.5 billion per annum. It would seem probable that such a system introduced into the Australian health:care system will have the potential to produce similar effects for Western Australian patients, nurses and nursing.
31
Chan, Cheuk Bun. "Nurses’ attitudes toward family witnessed resuscitation in Western Australian emergency departments." Thesis, Curtin University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1162.
Full textAbstract:
Since 1982, healthcare institutions and professionals have been questioning whether family members should be allowed to enter resuscitation rooms during such critical period of treatment. A self-administered questionnaire is used in this research to investigate Western Australian emergency nurses’ attitudes towards family witnessed resuscitation and to explore possible factors influencing their attitudes.The findings of this work suggest that nurses, assuming a betwixt-between position, evaluate the costs and benefits of allowing family presence in the resuscitation room from patients, families and healthcare professionals’ perspectives. Nurses have an overwhelming agreement on the beneficial aspects of the practice, while also share concerns commonly reported in previous studies with an emphasis on a family member’s capability to cope with and comprehend the resuscitation procedures and a healthcare professional’s ability to handling pressure.Overall, the research suggests nurses are ambivalent in their attitude. Despite the nurses’ awareness of some family members’ desire to witness resuscitation and their reported benefits, in doing so, they are reluctant to initiate or formally incorporate this practice as a standard procedure. There is also a lack of consensus on the management of families’ presence, however, nurses agree on the need for preresuscitation assessment, support staff during resuscitation and post-resuscitation debriefing. Institutional factor is identified as a significant influence on nurses’ attitudes. This work will provide useful input in the future development of guidelines and will help stimulate discussion on this topic in Western Australia.
32
Rae, Ruth. "Jessie Tomlins an Australian army nurse - World War One /." Connect to full text, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/840.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2001."... The letters, postcards and photographs that Jessie, Fred and Will sent home to their mother and family, as well as Fred's fourteen diaries, form the foundation of this thesis..." -- p. 2. Title from title screen (viewed Apr. 23, 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Dept. of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing. Includes bibliography. Also available in print form.
33
Fulford, Sarah Margaret. "Training, ethos, camaraderie and endurance of World War: Two Australian POW nurses." Thesis, Curtin University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/48486.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines the ethos, camaraderie and resourcefulness of a group of Australian nurses who became prisoners of war to the Japanese during World War Two after their ship, the Vyner Brooke, was sunk on 14 February 1942 as it evacuated from Singapore. It investigates how their living-in-training and patient first mentality contributed to their survival during internment and after, with reference to characteristics attributed to Australian soldiers.
34
Piercey, Carol Ann. "Nurse education in Western Australia from 1962-1975: A historical perspective of influences and changes." Thesis, Curtin University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1886.
Full textAbstract:
National trends in nurse education have changed from the Nightingale system of on-the-job training to a professional preparation in institutions of higher learning. Western Australia was one of the first States in Australia to commence a professional preparation of nurses at an institution of higher education in 1975. Graduates of the program were presented with their Bachelor of Applied Science from the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University of Technology), in March 1979. This thesis seeks to answer the question concerning the genesis of such an event. The focus of the study is primarily to follow the progress of general nurse education in Western Australia and to highlight the accompanying influences that shaped its development. The purpose of this study was to explore, analyse, interpret and describe the history of nurse education in Western Australia from 1962-1975. The study used a pluralistic approach employing a variety of historical methods. The research commenced with broad questions and ideas developed from documents and people. The process of data collection, historical criticism and analysis took place simultaneously. The synthesis was written as a chronological narrative. The material of the study thus 'spoke' for itself by providing answers to questions raised during the investigation. The history of nurse education from 1962 to 1975 revealed visible milestones that represented nurse education reform. Beginning from the antecedents of the study these were the sanctioning of a review of nurse training in 1960 together with the commencement of the Western Australian Nursing Survey and the appointment of the Nurses Registration Board Education Officer. In 1962 the survey was completed.It exposed the deficits of nurse training which led to the development of a new Hospital Based Diploma curriculum and an Associate Diploma in Nursing in 1966. The establishment of the College of Nursing Australia Western Australian Branch in 1966 paved the way to solve the shortage of tutors to implement the Hospital Based Diploma. The Nurses Act in 1970 enhanced the plans for implementing the Hospital Based Diploma and conferred autonomy to the Nurses Registration Board. In 1973 the first independent school of nursing came into being. The Western Australian School of Nursing carried the hopes of a continuation of hospital nurse training. In 1974, however, the entry of students to the Western Australian Institute of Technology School of Nursing saw a turn of events that led to a degree for nurses in 1975 and a decision for the transfer of all nurse education in Western Australia to the Western Australian Institute of Technology. These milestones did not emerge as an accident of history. There were forces that facilitated and impeded the perceptibility of the reform landmarks. These were crucial in the shaping the history of nurse education in Western Australia from 1962-1975.
35
Rae, Ruth Lillian. "Jessie Tomlins: An Australian Army Nurse World War One." University of Sydney. Clinical Nursing, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/840.
Full textAbstract:
There is an abundance of historical and anecdotal material relating to the experiences of the Australian soldier during World War 1. These soldiers were conscious both during and after the war that their contribution was important and that it was recognised as such by Australian society at large. Conversely there is an almost total absence of historical or anecdotal material about the role of the Australian nurse who served during this same conflict. Whether these nurses had the same degree of consciousness, either during or after the war, that their contributions were valued or seen as important by Australian society remains, largely, unknown. This thesis attempts to redress, in part, this absence by telling the story of a nurse, Jessie Tomlins, who served in the Australian Army Nursing Service during this period. At the same time specific aspects of the historical events surrounding World War One will be explored. Jessie Tomlins served, first as a Staff Nurse and later as a Sister, in the 14th Australian General Hospital in Egypt during 1916. At the same time her brother, Fred Tomlins, was already serving in the 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment and spent the entire four years of World War 1 in Palestine and Egypt. At the end of 1916 their younger brother, Will Tomlins, also joined the Army and became a member of the Anzac Mounted Division. The letters, postcards and photographs that Jessie, Fred and Will sent home to their mother and family, as well as Fred's fourteen diaries, form the foundation of this thesis. This thesis provides a meaningful snapshot of one woman from rural Australia who completed her nurse training during the war and then served her country during one of the most brutal periods of humankind. Her own words clearly tell the story of her war time experiences whilst, at the same time, conveying her expectations, prior to, during and after, this event. The development of the Australian Army Nursing Service, as it affected Jessie, over this period is also considered. It will be demonstrated that whilst ordinary men, soldiers, were at the military front line so too were ordinary women, nurses. The thesis will provide support for the contention that the contribution of Australian nurses in World War One, especially that of the ordinary nurse caring for the ordinary soldier, has been poorly recorded and as a result remains under-valued.
36
Sayers, Jan Maree. "The role of the nurse educator in acute care hospitals Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/622.
Full textAbstract:
The health workforce is one of the critical issues facing contemporary Australian health care systems. Therefore carefully defining roles in the health care system is of great importance. The Role of the Nurse Educator in Australian Acute Care Hospitals study used a mixed-method research design to develop a performance self-assessment scale for nurse educators and describe instances of role ambiguity and conflict. These findings will facilitate comprehensive understanding and integration of nurse educator roles throughout healthcare and education.
37
Henderson, Anthony R. "The politics of nurse education in education in Australia 1961-1984." Thesis, Henderson, Anthony R. (1988) The politics of nurse education in education in Australia 1961-1984. Masters by Coursework thesis, Murdoch University, 1988. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/46067/.
Full textAbstract:
This paper examines the political activities of nurses in Australia, within the context of interest group theory and, in particular, the work of Gamson (1968) and Zeigler and Peak (1972). It spans 1961 to 1984 and takes into consideration the dynamics of both the nursing profession and the political systems during that time. The specific issue dealt with is the transfer of nurse education, from traditional hospital based schools of nursing to tertiary institutions. This transition involved the co-ordination of a national campaign by nurses in an attempt to influence policy makers at both state and federal level.
The dissertation is an historical and political analysis which required this writer to study the documents of professional nursing organisations, parliamentary debates and the print media. Interviews were also conducted with some of the key people involved in the transfer. In order to validate the information, and ensure its reliability, multiple methods of triangulation were used.
From 1961 to 1984, nursing organisations progressed through a number of stages before finally emerging in 1977 as a fully-fledged pressure group. Until 1983, they were viewed by those in authority as 'alienated' and consequently were unable to achieve any of their goals satisfactorily. However, nurses correctly perceived the political system generally, as being ambivalent to their demands. Gamson terms such ambivalence "neutrality", and hypothesises that when a pressure group identifies neutrality in a political system, it is highly likely to take action. This proved to be the case with nurses. Although their campaign lasted seven long years, it proved ultimately to be fairly successful. However, as will be demonstrated, an 'authority' will only concede to the demands of a particular pressure group to the extent that a counter group is not disadvantaged.
38
Kitchener, Betty Ann, and n/a. "Nurses' attitudes towards active voluntary euthanasia : a survey in the Australian Capital Territory." University of Canberra. Nursing, 1998. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060814.145314.
Full textAbstract:
In a country such as Australia which claims adherence to democratic values, it would
appear important that policies and laws on such a controversial and value laden issue
as active voluntary euthanasia (AVE), need to have at least some basis in public
opinion and in that of relevant professional groups. It has been argued that public
opinion may be of limited value due to the public's lack of experience and exposure to
this issue. The opinions of people with more exposure to and reflection on the ethical
issues surrounding euthanasia need to be ascertained. Nurses are one group who
have prolonged involvement with the care of dying or suffering people and their
families. Nurses in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) could be a particularly well
informed group because of the ongoing open debate resulting from four proposed
laws on AVE in this Territory since 1993. The overall purpose of this thesis was to
identify the attitudes of nurses in the ACT towards AVE.
This thesis was supported by a study which provided information on four aspects of
nurses' attitudes towards AVE. Firstly, the attitudes of registered nurses in the ACT
were compared to those of other nurses, medical practitioners and members of the
general public in Australia. Secondly, the associations between characteristics of the
nurses and their attitudes were investigated. Thirdly, the legal conditions which
nurses believe should be in a law allowing active voluntary euthanasia were identified.
Finally, the arguments nurses put forward to support their attitudes towards AVE
were analysed This thesis does not attempt to evaluate the ethical arguments
proposed, merely to reflect the views put forward.
A postal survey was carried out in late 1996 of 2000 randomly selected registered
nurses from the Australian Capital Territory. Responses were received from 1218
nurses (61%).
Attitudes of Nurses:
A majority of nurses who responded, supported AVE as "sometimes right", be it
homicide by request (72%) or physician assisted suicide (71%). A slightly smaller
majority of nurses believed the law should be changed to allow homicide by request
(69%) and physician assisted suicide (67%) under certain conditions. If AVE were
legal, 66% of the nurses indicated they were willing to be involved in the procedure.
Only 30% were willing to assist patients to give themselves the lethal dose, while 14%
were willing to administer the lethal dose to the patient. Comparing these results with
previous surveys, it appears that nurses are less in favour of AVE than the general
public but more in favour than medical practitioners.
Associations between Characteristics of Nurses and Attitudes:
Those nurses who were more likely to agree that the law should allow AVE, were
under the age of 40 years, agnostic, atheist or of the Anglican religion, to have less
contact with terminally ill patients, to work in the area of critical care or mental health,
and to take less interest in the issue of AVE. Palliative care nurses were the only
subgroup without a majority in favour (33%). There is other evidence in the
euthanasia literature indicating that nurses and doctors are less in favour of AVE than
the general public. Taken together with the present findings, it may be concluded that
attitudes towards AVE are more favourable in people who have less contact with the
terminally ill.
Legal Conditions in an AVE Law:
The conditions most strongly supported in any future AVE law were "second
doctor's opinion" (85%), "cooling off period" (81%), "patient must have unbearable
protracted suffering" (80%), "doctor must inform patient about illness and treatment"
(78%) and "patient must be terminally ill" (63%). There was only minority support
for "patient not suffering from treatable depression" (42%), "patient administers or
assists to administer, the fatal dose themselves" (32%) and "patient over a certain
age" (7%). Support for a change in the law to allow AVE was 38% for a young man
with AIDS, 39% for an elderly man with early stage Alzheimer's disease, 44% for a
young woman who had become quadriplegic and 71 % for a middle aged woman with
metastases from breast cancer.
Arguments Supporting AVE Attitudes:
The most common argument in support of AVE was that people should have the right
to control their own lives and thus be able to decide for themselves when and how
they wanted to die. The most common argument against AVE was that of the slippery
slope in which it is feared that the boundaries which society puts on killing will be
extended.
Conclusions:
This inquiry pinpoints the discordance between attitudes towards AVE and the legal
status of AVE. Parliamentary representatives need to consider the current attitudes of
their constituents, and especially those of relevant health care professionals towards
AVE. It is important that a nursing perspective is represented in any law legalising
AVE and that the role of the nurse is clearly described in relevant legal acts. Future
research would also be beneficial to investigate further the association between the
experience of nurses working in a palliative care setting and AVE attitudes. There
needs to be further debate about the legal conditions required in any future AVE bills.
given the lack of support from nurses for some conditions which have been included
in proposed AVE laws. Furthermore, it would be valuable to carry out surveys of the
opinions of other health practitioners in order to inform legislators. These results
form a baseline to examine the changes in attitudes towards AVE over time and
change in the legal status of AVE.
39
Langridge, Miriam E. "A deconstruction and reconstruction of advanced nurse specialisation and education." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2002. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/709.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to present issues and the paradoxes surrounding advanced nurse specialisation (ANS) and education, This study was conducted in two parts. Part A examined the prospective experiences of 13 registered nurses (RNs) who were advancing in an area of special is III ion: they were working in a specialist area of practice and studying in II course specific 10 their specialisation. Two rounds of interviews were completed over six-month intervals. Part B examined the data gathered from a focus group interview and follow-up feedback from 10 nurse executives as stakeholders. The intersubjective data from this group of nurses expanded on the political, economic, and social complexities surrounding the same phenomenon of interest.
40
While, Eileen, and n/a. "Female registered nurses and stress : a quantitative analysis." University of Canberra. Professional & Community Education, 1996. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20061110.130058.
Full textAbstract:
This study examines the perceived causes of occupational stress amongst female
Registered Nurses working in the clinical setting at both Calvary Public and Calvary
Private Hospitals ACT Incorporated.
A modified Gray-Toft, Anderson Nursing Stress Scale (1981) was used as the instrument
for the research. The questionnaire was modified by the addition of six questions.
The questionnaire was distributed to seventy female Registered Nurses. Twenty
questionnaires were distributed to staff working within the Private Hospital and fifty to
staff in the Public Hospital.
Relevant data dating back to 1956 was examined regarding stress and burnout amongst
nurses and allied health professionals.
The results of this study, not surprisingly, supported the finding of Gray-Toft, Anderson.
That is that nursing remains an inherently stressful occupation. Respondents working in
both public and private hospitals indicated that Lack of Funding and Death and Dying
were considered to be major sources of perceived stress.
Registered Nurses working in the Public Hospital perceive higher levels of stress than do
those Registered Nurses working within the Private Hospital with respect to relative
staffing levels, workload and funding.
Comparisons by age group indicated a generally higher reported level for the youngest age
group. Comparison of full time versus part time staff indicated a significantly higher level
of perceived stress from full time staff. Analysis of reported stress by ward type indicated
that staff working in the "medical" groupings experienced higher perceived levels of stress
than those working in the "surgical" groupings.
41
Ardern, Rachel. "The function of competencies in the Australian nursing sector: A critical exploration." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/235389/1/Rachel%2BArdern%2BThesis%282%29.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
By the end of the 20th century, hospital-based nurse training was replaced by nursing university programs with a greater focus on theoretically informed practice. This move coincided with the appearance of the competency movement across industries. Nursing competencies were primarily associated with political interests of increasing the flexibility through the demonstration of generic skills that could effectively increased scopes of practice. This flexibility created a blurring between RNs/ENs that contributed to an environment where neither role had clearly defined disciplinary boundaries. Competencies provided financial rewards for the organisation while increasing the workload of ENs and limiting the functions of RNs.
42
Walker, Annette Clare, of Western Sydney Nepean University, and Faculty of Nursing and Health Studies. "Nurse and patient work: comfort and the medical-surgical patient." THESIS_FNHS_XXX_Walker_ A.xml, 1996. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/286.
Full textAbstract:
This grounded theory study investigates the experiences and perceptions of comfort and discomfort of hospital patients admitted for medical-surgical conditions, with a focus on the post-accute stage of hospitalisation. In-depth post-discharge interviews were conducted with seventeen English speaking adults who had been admitted to nine Australian hospitals. A substantive theory of finding comfort and of managing discomfort was generated. Processes of self-talk (anticipating, interpreting, accepting, making allowances and maintaining perspective) and self-care (self-help and seeking help, which involved accommodating to the level and type of help available through deferring, avoiding, persisting or desisting) were used to find comfort and to manage discomfort. The study has implications for nursign practice, management, research and education. Existing practice in the areas of assessment, communication, individualised care planning and the management of discomfort need to be strengthened if nursing care is to make a difference for this category of patient. The study revealed that integrated caring by nurses perceived by informants as 'experts', contributed most to the experience of finding comfort and managing discomfort in this group of informantsDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
43
Lee, Irene University of Ballarat. "An Investigation into the experiences of occupational stress of graduate nurses in Hong Kong." University of Ballarat, 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/12749.
Full textAbstract:
"The major criticism by hospital trained clinical nurses is that university graduates are perceived as not being competent practioners as a result of limited time spent in clinical areas. This lack of clinical experience is thought to contribute to new graduates' sense of occupational stress."--leaf xii.Doctor of Philosophy
44
Lee, Irene. "An Investigation into the experiences of occupational stress of graduate nurses in Hong Kong." University of Ballarat, 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/14588.
Full textAbstract:
"The major criticism by hospital trained clinical nurses is that university graduates are perceived as not being competent practioners as a result of limited time spent in clinical areas. This lack of clinical experience is thought to contribute to new graduates' sense of occupational stress."--leaf xii.Doctor of Philosophy
45
Wright, Trudy, and n/a. "Primary health care : the health care system and nurse education in Australia, 1985-1990." University of Canberra. Education, 1994. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20061110.171759.
Full textAbstract:
Primary health care as a model for the provision of health services was
introduced by the World Health Organization In the mid 1970s. Initially
viewed as a means of health promotion and advancement of wellness in
developing countries., it was soon to be adopted by industrialised countries to
assist in relieving the demand on acute care services. This was to be achieved
through education of the community towards good health practices and the
preparation of nurses to practice in the community, outside of the acute care
environment Australian nurses were slow to respond to this philosophy of
health care and this study has sought to examine why this is so. It has been
found that there are a multitude of reasons for the lack of action In the decade
or more following the Declaration of Alma Ata and the major Issues have been
identified and elaborated.
Some of the major reports of the time that were associated with and had some
Influence on health care and nurse education have been examined to identify
recommendations and how much they support the ethos of primary health
care. These include the Sax committee report of 1978 and a submission by
the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations In 1987.
As part of the investigation, nursing curricula from around Australia in the
mid 1980s have been examined to determine the degree of the primary health
care content according to guidelines recommended by the World Health
Organization. It was found that generally at that time, there was a deficit In
the preparation of undergraduate students of nursing for practice In the area
of primary health care when the world, including industrialised nations, was
making moves towards this model of health care delivery.
Factors Influencing the slow response of nursing have been examined and
finally recommendations for further studies have been put forward.
46
Sands, Jaynie E. "A reflective analysis of burn wound care: The Australian burns nurse' perspective." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1996. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/940.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this historiographical nursing study was to explore Australian Burn Wound Care from a nursing perspective, at two periods of time. It was the intention of the author to explore practices at the inception of specialised burns units, from the 1950's, presenting an historical perspective, and at the present time, May 1995. Eleven burns units across Australia participated in the study. There were 22 participants in the research sample. Each burns unit identified the first Charge Nurse (n =11) and the current Clinical Nurse Specialist (n =11), to be involved in the data collection process. The conceptual framework for this study incorporates the Reflective Cycle (Gibbs, 1988) succinctly incorporating the 'who', 'where', 'why', 'when' and 'what' aspects of the historical method of inquiry. An interview guide, used in conjunction with three photographs depicting burn wounds, provided interview structure for the data collection. A variety of historical data were gathered and analysed. These included scientific medical and nursing texts, foundation minutes, reports and conference papers of Australian and New Zealand Bums Association, to gain perspective of Australian Bum Wound Care. However, the data collated from 1950 to 1996 uncovered no written material on bum wound care. The information available was obtained exclusively from the indepth interviews. The data collated for the current perspective included hospital/ burns unit protocols and indepth interviews with key nursing personnel. A field trip facilitated the data collection, enabling semi-structured, audiotaped interviews in person and the opportunity to visit hospital libraries. The findings of the study have been organised to show bum wound care practices endorsed by Australian burns units, at the inception of specialised facilities, and at the present time.
47
Konno, Rie. "Lived experience of overseas-qualified nurses from non-English-speaking backgrounds in Australia." 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/41889.
Full textAbstract:
The globalisation of the world has facilitated the international movement of the nursing workforce. Along with other immigration destination countries, Australia is now accepting nurses from more diverse national and educational backgrounds than ever before, in order to secure adequate staffing for its nursing workforce. This thesis reports on a research project which investigated the lived experiences of overseas-qualified nurses (OQNs) from non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) in coming to, and working in, Australia. The study used a qualitative design informed by the philosophy of Hermeneutic Phenomenology of Heidegger and Gadamer. The researcher individually interviewed a total of 24 OQNs of NESB from all over the world using a semi-structured interview method. The data were analysed by the case studies and thematic analysis method. From the analysis, a total of four important themes emerged that structured the lived experiences of the OQNs from NESB. 1) From the Past to the Future is concerned with Heidegger's notion of temporality (lived time). The two sub-themes are: the Past which describes the cultural, social and linguistic backgrounds of the OQNs which brought them to their present experiences in Australia, and the Future, which refers to future possibilities which have been opened up by their experiences in Australia. The past and the future co-exist within the OQNs' understanding of their present moment. 2) New Environment is concerned with Spatiality (lived space). The OQNs’ felt working environment in Australia is described. 3) Living in the English Language considers the notion of ‘lived body’ in relation to English-learning when working as nurses in Australia. 4) Shared World is concerned with Heidegger's notion of Shared World; the OQNs from NESB’s needs for a supportive inter-subjective environment is described and discussed. By using Parse’s phenomenological synthesis method, these four themes were then conceptualised into a core structure of phenomena that describes the core nature of the participants: “The lived experience of OQNs from NESB working in Australia is the process of obtaining a new identity in the English language, while actively formulating reality through interplay with new surroundings”. In conclusion, recommendations for improved support for OQNs from NESB derived from the study are presented.Thesis(Ph.D.)-- School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2008
48
Konno, Rie. "Lived experience of overseas-qualified nurses from non-English-speaking backgrounds in Australia." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/41889.
Full textAbstract:
The globalisation of the world has facilitated the international movement of the nursing workforce. Along with other immigration destination countries, Australia is now accepting nurses from more diverse national and educational backgrounds than ever before, in order to secure adequate staffing for its nursing workforce. This thesis reports on a research project which investigated the lived experiences of overseas-qualified nurses (OQNs) from non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) in coming to, and working in, Australia. The study used a qualitative design informed by the philosophy of Hermeneutic Phenomenology of Heidegger and Gadamer. The researcher individually interviewed a total of 24 OQNs of NESB from all over the world using a semi-structured interview method. The data were analysed by the case studies and thematic analysis method. From the analysis, a total of four important themes emerged that structured the lived experiences of the OQNs from NESB. 1) From the Past to the Future is concerned with Heidegger's notion of temporality (lived time). The two sub-themes are: the Past which describes the cultural, social and linguistic backgrounds of the OQNs which brought them to their present experiences in Australia, and the Future, which refers to future possibilities which have been opened up by their experiences in Australia. The past and the future co-exist within the OQNs' understanding of their present moment. 2) New Environment is concerned with Spatiality (lived space). The OQNs’ felt working environment in Australia is described. 3) Living in the English Language considers the notion of ‘lived body’ in relation to English-learning when working as nurses in Australia. 4) Shared World is concerned with Heidegger's notion of Shared World; the OQNs from NESB’s needs for a supportive inter-subjective environment is described and discussed. By using Parse’s phenomenological synthesis method, these four themes were then conceptualised into a core structure of phenomena that describes the core nature of the participants: “The lived experience of OQNs from NESB working in Australia is the process of obtaining a new identity in the English language, while actively formulating reality through interplay with new surroundings”. In conclusion, recommendations for improved support for OQNs from NESB derived from the study are presented.Thesis(Ph.D.)-- School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2008
49
Eggert, Gunhild Marlene. "Rewarding care : a theory of nurses' care provision." Phd thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/150036.
Full textAbstract:
Australian nurses' job satisfaction has been investigated at intervals since the 1970s. From the year 2000 studies showed for the first time that nurses were dissatisfied with the quality of their care. In the preceding decade Australian State governments undertook reforms to significantly increase public hospitals' productivity. This thesis proposes that the definition of hospitals' product as 'discharged patients' contributed to changing hospitals' operations in such a way that nurses missed out on important job rewards. This thesis explores (1) the role nurses' satisfaction with their patient care plays in nurses' production function, (2) how the reforms instituted undermined nurses' ability to give the care they perceived as meeting professional standards, and (3) how restoring nurses' satisfaction with care returns double dividends to nurses' employers in terms of improved nursing productivity and better patient outcomes. The policy makers who designed the reforms to increase public hospitals' productivity understood hospitals' production function to be analogous to factories' production of goods. This conceptualisation overlooks that hospitals' mix of outputs consists mainly of services delivered directly to patients. It is difficult to gain efficiencies in the production of direct services through a reduction of labour inputs because (1) labour inputs become service outputs, and (2) services are produced and consumed simultaneously. Because nurses' product is the service of providing patient care, reductions in nurses' time and skill per patient frequently diminish the quality of nursing care, reducing nurses' job satisfaction. Nurses' job satisfaction results from the size of their aggregate rewards, both extrinsic and intrinsic to nursing work. Empirically, nurses' perceived quality of their care is shown to make the greatest contribution to nurses' job satisfaction. Nurses derive intrinsic job returns in terms of meaning and enjoyment gained from attending to their patients. Nurses' perceived drop in the quality of care reduces their intrinsic job rewards, explaining nurses' poor professional morale discovered by the studies undertaken from the year 2000. For hospital administrators, nurses' low levels of returns on their care giving are of concern because these intrinsic returns have an incentive effect on nurses' care performance. The more care a nurse gives, the more intrinsic returns she generates. Highly vocationally committed nurses earn the best care-giving returns. Sustaining committed nurses' care performance matters to employers because the care these nurses give informally sets high standards for their team. The incentive effect of nurses' care giving is of further significance to employers because nursing work is difficult to supervise and extrinsic motivators, such as monitoring, are very costly to apply. However, strategies to increase nursing productivity can be carefully designed to take account of the nature of nurses' care product and/or to decrease barriers to nurses' care giving. In this case employers can enjoy the double dividends of nurses' sustained high output of care and good patient outcomes. Other policy approaches to restoring nurses' intrinsic rewards include (1) the incremental improvement of quality of patient care, (2) giving nurses organisational voice, and (3) providing formal recognition for excellence in nursing care.
50
Hutchinson, Marie, University of Western Sydney, and College of Business. "Bullying in the workplace : a study of Australian nurses." 2007. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/33181.
Full textAbstract:
Over recent decades, there has been growing recognition that workplace bullying is a pervasive and harmful feature of modern workplaces. In the Australian nursing context, bullying is reported as a common form of aggression. While acknowledged as a concerning issue, there is little substantive data on the meaning of bullying or how it affects the private or professional lives of Australian nurses. The aim of this study was to address this gap by investigating the nature, extent and consequences of bullying in the Australian nursing workplace. A three-stage sequential mixed method design was adopted for the study. The first stage involved in-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 26 nurses with experience of workplace bullying. Content analysis of the interview transcripts using the NVivo software program identified four major categories, and a number of minor categories and sub-categories. These categories formed the basis of a survey instrument developed for use in the second stage of the study. The second stage of the study established the validity, reliability and factor structure of the newly developed instrument. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software identified seven coherent latent factors, which underpinned the experience, consequences, and organisational features associated with workplace bullying. The EFA identified reliable measures of the seven latent factors and two scales were refined entitled the Bullying Acts and Consequences Scale and the Organisational Processes Scale. The third stage of the study employed the survey instrument validated in the previous stage of the study with a cross-sectional randomised sample of the Australian nursing workforce. Analysis of the survey data identified that bullying occurred across all sectors of the nursing workforce, with no correlations between experiencing bullying and demographic and employment characteristics. In addition to describing the nature, extent and consequences of bullying, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used on the data from the national survey to further refine the scales developed in the previous stage of the study. These two scales were refined into one multidimensional scale entitled the Organisational Predictors and Consequences of Bullying Scale (OPCBS). The final step in the analysis of the national survey data involved structural equation modeling (SEM) using the AMOS software program. The modeling established that the four organisational factors measured in the study were associated with bullying and the measured consequences. The significant contributions of this study include the finding that organisational features rather than individual characteristics influence the experience of bullying in the nursing workplace, and the development of valid and reliable measures of bullying behaviours, associated organisational features and the consequences of bullying.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)