A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the experience of eight registered nurses and two hospital play specialists who care for children hospitalised with burn injuries. The research participants were recruited from a paediatric ward that offers centralised specialty care to children with burns. Collected through face-to-face interviews, the participants' stories were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim using a process for analysis informed by van Manen, (1997b).Emerging out of the data was the over-arching theme of 'passionate dedication' that shows the nurses and hospital play specialists genuine compassion and commitment to meet the needs of the children with burns. The findings of the study reveal that the participant's dedication is shaped and determined by a dynamic process that involves having professional integrity and in-depth knowledge of caring for children and burn management. The nurses and the hospital play specialists have a common understanding of what their role entails and the skills required to provide quality care and support to the children and the children's family. On a personal and professional level the participants encounter several challenges in this care context that are physically and emotionally overwhelming. Despite becoming overwhelmed the participants are revealed as being resourceful and resilient in their aptitude to find ways that enable them to cope and get through.This study supports international literature that suggests that caring for children with burns is equally rewarding, as much as it is physically and emotionally demanding. The implication in this study for the organisation is to seriously consider issues regarding productivity and efficiency of the workforce with acknowledgement that nurses and hospital play specialists cannot do this emotional work without effective systems of support in place. With the help of team leaders, managers and educators, the organisation will need to consider ways to monitor the job satisfaction of their staff. Furthermore, reinforce existing comprehensive measures, such as mentorship and clinical supervision programmes to encourage the retention and well-being of all staff, at all stages of their career on the children's burn ward.

This research primarily examines the trends of changing characteristics of corporate boards within New Zealand listed firms. Expressing in a quantitative framework, this research provides an insight of how board compositions have changed over the past decade, within which two major corporate governance legislative reforms have occurred. These two reforms are known as the Companies Act in 1993 and the New Zealand Corporate Governance Best Practice Code in 2003. This study aims to cover a full range of board characteristics mentioned in previous related literatures in order to give a more complete view. Sixteen variables are selected and examined: board size, board independence, multiple directorships, CEO compensation, chair and director fees, CEO duality, gender diversity, staggered board, directors' ownership, director tenure, directors' experience, committee existence, committee independence, CEO involvement on board committees, board and committee Meetings, directors' educational and industrial background. Within the above variables, board size, board independence and CEO duality receives the most attention from New Zealand investors and regulators. Tendencies of movements regarding these characteristics appear to collaborate with public expectations. Board size has decreased while independence has increased throughout the periods examined. CEO duality phenomenon sharply reduced during the periods after 2003 legislative reform. Committee independence has also grown according to the public recognition, especially for audit committees. CEO involvements on board committees are less than before. Boards within New Zealand listed firms desire more diversification of both gender and backgrounds of directors. These findings fill the gap of the evolution of corporate boards’ characteristics of New Zealand listed firms over the past decade.

A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the experience of eight registered nurses and two hospital play specialists who care for children hospitalised with burn injuries. The research participants were recruited from a paediatric ward that offers centralised specialty care to children with burns. Collected through face-to-face interviews, the participants' stories were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim using a process for analysis informed by van Manen, (1997b).Emerging out of the data was the over-arching theme of 'passionate dedication' that shows the nurses and hospital play specialists genuine compassion and commitment to meet the needs of the children with burns. The findings of the study reveal that the participant's dedication is shaped and determined by a dynamic process that involves having professional integrity and in-depth knowledge of caring for children and burn management. The nurses and the hospital play specialists have a common understanding of what their role entails and the skills required to provide quality care and support to the children and the children's family. On a personal and professional level the participants encounter several challenges in this care context that are physically and emotionally overwhelming. Despite becoming overwhelmed the participants are revealed as being resourceful and resilient in their aptitude to find ways that enable them to cope and get through.This study supports international literature that suggests that caring for children with burns is equally rewarding, as much as it is physically and emotionally demanding. The implication in this study for the organisation is to seriously consider issues regarding productivity and efficiency of the workforce with acknowledgement that nurses and hospital play specialists cannot do this emotional work without effective systems of support in place. With the help of team leaders, managers and educators, the organisation will need to consider ways to monitor the job satisfaction of their staff. Furthermore, reinforce existing comprehensive measures, such as mentorship and clinical supervision programmes to encourage the retention and well-being of all staff, at all stages of their career on the children's burn ward.

Objective: Chronic disease comorbidities, on the rise in the U.S. and Virginia, represent a new challenge to the way medicine is practiced and prescribed. This descriptive study uses Virginia hospital discharge data to describe the prevalence and trends of chronic disease comorbidities present in the state's over-45 population during the years 2001 and 2004.Methods: Data collected by Virginia Health Information was utilized. Adults over the age of 45 years and who selected for race and location were included in this analysis, with an aggregate sample size of 813,336 (N=458,593 [2001]; N=364,743 [2004]). Pearson chi-square analyses determined significant sample population differences with respect to age, race, sex, location, number of diagnoses (up to 9) and number of chronic comorbid conditions (up to 7). Binary logistic regression predicted odds ratios (ORs) for these comorbid conditions across demographic variables. SPSS 13.0 was used for all analysis. Results: Chronic comorbidities and their component conditions increased in Virginia's inpatient population from 2001 to 2004. Chronic cardiovascular disease (CCV), chronic liver disease (CLV), chronic renal disease (CRN), chronic pulmonary disease (COP), and cerebrovascular degeneration (CCE) comorbidities all increased in diagnoses prevalence (0.3% -1.8%), while comorbid cancer (CCA) remained constant at 7.4% and comorbid diabetes (CDI) decreased 0.6%. Mean comorbid diagnoses increased with age. Demographic factors (race, sex, age and location) as well as certain constituent conditions were predictive of one or more comorbidities. Conclusions: In general, the findings of this report complement current chronic disease monitoring data for the Commonwealth of Virginia. While expected comorbidities did exist (e.g. obesity with diabetes), unpredicted findings such as the highly-comorbid "fluid and electrolyte disorders" or the highly-comorbid "deficiency anemias" were also noted.

The population of people experiencing homelessness has decreased less than 15% in the last ten years, but issues like mental illness and substance use are rising. There are many misconceptions about race, gender, location and age of people experiencing homelessness. Music therapy research about the homeless population is minimal and often focused on just one setting or treatment location. The purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between music therapists and people experiencing homelessness. A survey of 365 music therapists in the United States revealed just under half of working clinicians provide services to people experiencing homelessness. Results from the survey revealed the most common settings where music therapists provided service to people experiencing homelessness were mental health, medical, and school systems. Additionally, the results discussed people experiencing homelessness’ demographic differences in clinician’s experiences versus annual reports. Results are not to be generalized but to be used as a tool to better understand people experiencing homelessness.

Family centred care is a concept espoused to be fundamental to achieving excellence in paediatric nursing. Although it is recognised that family centred care includes the child's rights to self determination the focus of this study is parental participation in the decision making and care of their hospitalised child at a partnership level. This is based on negotiation and requires frequent, effective communication between parents and nurses and for each to respect the other's knowledge and appreciate the other has something to offer in the relationship which will benefit the child. The purpose of this study was to identify whether family centred care was occurring in paediatric settings in rural Western Australia and explored parents' and nurses' perceptions of the concept. A questionnaire was designed based on the literature and common themes identified from focus groups. Convenience sampling was used and 15 rural hospitals facilitated participation of 243 parents who had a child under ten years of age hospitalised and 108 nurses who cared for children. Exploratory factor analysis identified four subscales from the parents' questionnaire and three subscales from the nurses' questionnaire which measured separate concepts of family centred care. Descriptive statistics were generated for each subscale, and independent t-tests, ANOVA and correlations were examined between independent variables and subscales of family centred care. There was a statistically significant difference in scores for parents' perceptions of `child friendly environment' between regional and district hospitals. Those parents who did not have social support scored a statistically significantly lower mean score for `respect as parent'. Nurses in district hospitals generated statistically significantly higher mean scores for `family focussed hospital' than those who worked in regional hospitals. / Parents and nurses both perceived that parents wanted to continue parenting their hospitalised child, however parents wanted to provide more nursing care than was perceived by nurses. Nurses' perceptions of delivering family centred care were greater than the perceptions of parents receiving it, however they were consistent in items that were scored low. Nurses did ask parents about the amount of participation they wanted in their child's care on admission however, it was not done on a regular basis. Parents perceived that nurses were unaware of other things that parents needed to attend to while their child was hospitalised and therefore did not enable parents to attend to these needs. More frequent negotiation of roles between parents and nurses by communicating each shift, or at least daily, could narrow the gap between differing perceptions in care provision and also enable parents to attend to their other roles thereby reducing their levels of physical and emotional stress.

A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the leadership experience of seven first line nurse managers working in the Cook Islands. For the purposes of this study first line nurse managers are those nurses working as a charge nurse in a hospital, nursing supervisors, chief public health nurse, and nurses working autonomously in the outer islands of the Cook Islands. Nurses in these roles are in key positions to influence the practice of others and set the standard of practice and culture of a unit. The participants were recruited if they were currently employed in any of these positions. The seven participants were all Cook Islands women who received their undergraduate nursing education in the Cook Islands. The purpose of the study was to describe their leadership experience, to raise an awareness of their role, and to make recommendations to support and improve the preparation of nurses for leadership roles in the Cook Islands. Through face-to-face interviews, the participants' stories were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Six of the seven transcripts required translation from Cook Islands Maori to English and this was conducted by the researcher who is fluent in both languages. Content and thematic analysis of the data revealed a spiritual, emotive and intuitive theme in the participants' leadership experience. The findings of the study revealed the self confidence of these nurses to manage in this role despite being challenged by management issues and the lack of preparedness for the role. The supportive network established within their staff, their family and the people around them has provided the impetus to continue to 'serve' their people. The findings also revealed that these nurses recognised the need to continue to learn and develop themselves and their staff. The findings of this study have significance for nurses aspiring to be nurse leaders in the Cook Islands or other Pacific Islands and rural communities. A key stakeholder in this study is the Cook Islands Ministry of Health, as insights and awareness gained can contribute to an appropriate preparation and support programme for nurses working in its organisation.

A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the leadership experience of seven first line nurse managers working in the Cook Islands. For the purposes of this study first line nurse managers are those nurses working as a charge nurse in a hospital, nursing supervisors, chief public health nurse, and nurses working autonomously in the outer islands of the Cook Islands. Nurses in these roles are in key positions to influence the practice of others and set the standard of practice and culture of a unit. The participants were recruited if they were currently employed in any of these positions. The seven participants were all Cook Islands women who received their undergraduate nursing education in the Cook Islands. The purpose of the study was to describe their leadership experience, to raise an awareness of their role, and to make recommendations to support and improve the preparation of nurses for leadership roles in the Cook Islands. Through face-to-face interviews, the participants' stories were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Six of the seven transcripts required translation from Cook Islands Maori to English and this was conducted by the researcher who is fluent in both languages. Content and thematic analysis of the data revealed a spiritual, emotive and intuitive theme in the participants' leadership experience. The findings of the study revealed the self confidence of these nurses to manage in this role despite being challenged by management issues and the lack of preparedness for the role. The supportive network established within their staff, their family and the people around them has provided the impetus to continue to 'serve' their people. The findings also revealed that these nurses recognised the need to continue to learn and develop themselves and their staff. The findings of this study have significance for nurses aspiring to be nurse leaders in the Cook Islands or other Pacific Islands and rural communities. A key stakeholder in this study is the Cook Islands Ministry of Health, as insights and awareness gained can contribute to an appropriate preparation and support programme for nurses working in its organisation.

Baggrund: Pleje af borger med diabetes og demens kræver betydelig planlægning og gennemgang, og der skal foretages løbende vurdering af patientens egenomsorgsevne, som blandt andet fødeindtag, og evnen til at administrere medicinen på en forsvarlig måde. Diabetes og demens kan manifesteres samtidigt, hvor den ene er potentielt livstruende, mens den anden forårsager et alvorligt progressivt tab af hukommelse og kognitiv funktion. Ved tilstedeværelsen af begge diagnoser, udsættes sygeplejersken for udfordringer med hensyn til at udføre sit arbejde når det kommer til at yde sygepleje interventioner til patienter, der har mistet evnen til at yde egenomsorg. Formål: Studiets formål er at undersøge hjemmesyglejerskens erfaring i at yde sygepleje til ældre borger i eget hjem som er diagnoseret med diabetes og demens. Metode: Et beskrivende kvalitativ design, hvor data blev indsamlet med interviews (n=10) og transskriberede data blev analyseret ved hjælp af en kvalitativ indholdsanalyse.Resultat: Hjemmesygeplejersken arbejder opgavecenteret frem for personcentreret, hvor Sygeplejersken udtrykker at de er hverken fagligt eller personligt er klædt på til at kunne håndtere disse udfordringer, da retningslinjerne er for generelle og er ikke tilpasset den komplekse multisyge borger. Sygeplejerskerne efterlyser mere undervisning, mere forskning og flere specialiseret sygeplejersker på arbejdspladsen som er letter tilgængelig, hvor sygeplejersken kan henvende sig ved behov. Der understreges at der også er behov for kontinuitet i arbejde da de demente borger har brug for tid og trygge rammer. Konklusion: Sygeplejerskernes erfaring er at de dagligt udsættes for udfordringer, hvor sygeplejerskens kernekompetence og faglighed bliver sat på prøve. Sygeplejerskerne udtrykker at de er hverken fagligt eller personligt klædt på til at kunne håndtere udfordringerne i forhold til kost, medicin og forebyggelse af komplikationer. De efterlyser mere forskning, uddannelse inden for diabetes og demens. Sygeplejerskerne de mener at efteruddannelse vil løfte kompetencerne som vil være til gavne for disse borger. / Background: Care for patients with diabetes and dementia requires significant consideration and ongoing review. Continuous assessment of the patient's self-care must be carried out, not only with regards to food intake but also the ability to administer the medicine in an appropriate manner. Diabetes and dementia can manifest simultaneously; the first being potentially life threatening; the second causing a serious progressive loss of memory and cognitive function. In the presence of both diagnoses, the nurse is exposed to challenges in performing their work in providing nursing interventions to patients who have lost their ability to provide self-care. Aim: To gain insight into the home nurses’ experience in providing partially compensating nursing care to citizens with the diagnosis of Diabetes and dementia in their own home. Method: An interview study conducted with 10 home nurses in different municipalities in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Data was analyzed based on a qualitative content analysis. Result: The Danish Home nurse experience in providing nursing is expressed in how the nurse describes the citizen's ability to self-care in their own home, the nurses’ experience in working preventatively and experience in providing partially compensating nursing, and with the nurses’ experience in relation to daily nursing challenges. Conclusion: The nurse is experiencing daily challenges that expose the nurses’ core competence and professionalism to the test. The nurse expresses that they are neither professionally nor personally prepared to handle these challenges. They are looking for more research, better education, and more time to do their work.

To a student, postgraduate research is often characterised as a very emotional process, more often associated with negative emotion that may hinder successful and speedy completion of the postgraduate degree. The supervisory relationship may impact greatly on the emotion the student experiences. Emotional labour is the induction or suppression of emotion in order to sustain an outward appearance. Being bound in a professional and often subordinate relationship, the student may not be willing, or able to, outwardly display their emotions. Yet, the existence of, and experience of emotional labour on students in a postgraduate supervisory relationship have not been studied to date. The purpose of the study is to explore the meaning and existence of emotional labour within the postgraduate supervisory relationship from a student’s perspective. By using a qualitative, descriptive approach, in-depth information has been gathered by means of three focus groups. The focus groups consisted of students at different stages of the postgraduate supervisory process. The study resulted in the linking of a student’s perspective of the supervisory process to the emotional labour process. It was found that emotional labour is indeed present in the postgraduate supervisory process, but is dependent on the relationship between the supervisor and the student. Since emotional labour has limitedly been explored in the academic environment, it is believed that supervisors as well as students can benefit from this exploration in this fresh context. This linking of emotional labour to the supervisory process is only the first stage in this research and seeks only to describe the process. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted