Understanding the importance of collecting qualitative data creatively

IN ITS broadest sense, qualitative research encompasses any study that does not use statistical methods or quantify results (Strauss and Corbin 1990). Qualitative researchers undertake their work in the natural setting, attempting to understand or interpret phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them

The Australian Primary Care Nursing Workforce 2015

Abstract of a poster presented at he 2015 PHC Research Conference, 29-31 July, Adelaide, Australia

Practice nurses experiences of mentoring undergraduate nursing students in Australian general practice

Internationally, the delivery of health services has shifted from secondary to primary care, necessitating an exponential growth of the nursing workforce and expansion of the nursing role in general practice. This growth, and the subsequent need to develop this workforce, has created a need to expose undergraduate nurses to general practice nursing as a viable career option. Concurrently, universities are struggling to find sufficient clinical places for their undergraduate students to gain clinical experience. It is logical, therefore, to increase the number of undergraduate nursing student placements in general practice. Through qualitative research methods, this paper seeks to explore the experiences of practice nurses mentoring undergraduate students on clinical placements within the general practice setting. Findings are presented in the following three themes: (1) Promoting Practice Nursing: We really need to get students in, (2) Mentoring future co-workers: Patience and reassurance, and (3) Reciprocity in learning: It\u27s a bit of a two way street, which show the benefits of such placements. Clinical placements in general practice settings can be mutually beneficial in terms of providing quality teaching and learning experiences for students. Conversely, the experience provides an impetus for practice nurses to maintain currency of their clinical skills and knowledge through mentoring student nurses

Transitioning from acute to primary health care nursing: an integrative review of the literature

Aims and objectives This paper seeks to explore the transition experiences of acute care nurses entering employment in primary health care settings. Background Internationally the provision of care in primary health care settings is increasing. Nurses are moving from acute care settings to meet the growing demand for a primary health care workforce. While there is significant research relating to new graduate transition experiences, little is known about the transition experience from acute care into primary health care employment. Design An integrative review, guided by Whittemore and Knafl\u27s (2005) approach, was undertaken. Following a systematic literature search eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Methods Papers which met the study criteria were identified and assessed against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Papers were then subjected to methodological quality appraisal. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify key themes within the data. Results Eight papers met the selection criteria. All described nurses transitioning to either community or home nursing settings. Three themes were identified: (1) a conceptual understanding of transition, (2) role losses and gains and (3) barriers and enablers. Conclusion There is a lack of research specifically exploring the transitioning of acute care nurses to primary health care settings. To better understand this process, and to support the growth of the primary health care workforce there is an urgent need for further well-designed research. Relevance to clinical practice There is an increasing demand for the employment of nurses in primary health care settings. To recruit experienced nurses it is logical that many nurses will transition into primary health care from employment in the acute sector. To optimise retention and enhance the transition experience of these nurses it is important to understand the transition experience

An exploration of the experiences of Australian Grey Nomads travelling with chronic conditions

Internationally, the population is ageing and people are living well, longer. In Australia, extended travelling has gained popularity among older Grey Nomads due to time and opportunity post retirement. However, there is limited research available focusing on older Australians\u27 health while travelling. This paper reports the qualitative phase of a larger mixed-method project that explores the experience of Australian Grey Nomads travelling with chronic conditions. Eight Grey Nomads participated in telephone interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Two themes emerged, namely: continuity of care while travelling and experts on the road. Participants described encountering a fragmented health system, with challenges regarding finding health services; a lack of shared medical records; and difficulties accessing regular medications. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated health preparedness, an ability to accommodate health on the road, and were all travelling for their health. This study highlights key systems issues that challenge health care while travelling, and identifies opportunities for both usual practices and rural health services to enhance the care provided to this group

The development of professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses

Aims The aim of this study was to explore the current role of general practice nurses and the scope of nursing practice to inform the development of national professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses. Background Increasing numbers of nurses have been employed in Australian general practice to meet the growing demand for primary care services. This has brought significant changes to the nursing role. Competency standards for nurses working in general practice were first developed in Australia in 2005, but limited attention has been placed on articulating the contemporary scope of practice for nurses in this setting. Design Concurrent mixed methods design. Methods Data collection was conducted during 2013-2014 and involved two online surveys of Registered and Enrolled Nurses currently working in general practice, a series of 14 focus groups across Australia and a series of consultations with key experts. Findings Data collection enabled the development of 22 Practice Standards separated into four domains: (i) Professional Practice; (ii) Nursing Care; (iii) General Practice Environment and (iv) Collaborative Practice. To differentiate the variations in enacting these Standards, performance indicators for the Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse and Registered Nurse Advanced Practice are provided under each Standard. Conclusion The development of national professional practice standards for nurses working in Australian general practice will support ongoing workforce development. These Standards are also an important means of articulating the role and scope of the nurses\u27 practice for both consumers and other health professionals, as well as being a guide for curriculum development and measurement of performance

Lesbian women choosing motherhood: the journey to conception

Increasingly, lesbian women are choosing to have children in the context of a same-sex relationship, and their journey to conception and on to motherhood involves a range of decisions that are unique to lesbian couples. While creating a de novo family is burdened with decisions, choosing to be parents was a deliberate and conscious decision made by lesbian women participating in our study. The findings presented in this article focus on choosing which partner would be pregnant, donor decisions, as well as methods of conception used by lesbian women participating in a qualitative study that examined the experiences of lesbian mothers in Australia. This article is not intended to be interpretive, but rather a description of the processes engaged by participants

Experiences of registered nurses in a general practice-based new graduate program: A qualitative study

Nurses are increasingly needed in primary healthcare settings to support community-based healthcare delivery. Programs to facilitate transition of new graduate nurses are well established in acute care however, there are few similar programs reported in settings like general practice. This paper sought to explore the experiences of new graduate registered nurses and their registered nurse mentors in a new graduate program within Australian general practice. New graduates (n = 9) and their mentors participated in interviews before, during and at the conclusion of a 12-month new graduate program. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim before being analysed using thematic analysis. Eighteen new graduate and 10 mentor interviews were conducted, revealing four themes. Preparation and Opportunities describes the influence that pre-registration education had on preparing nurses for general practice employment. Exceeding Expectations highlights the positive experiences within the program. Program Challenges draws attention to the difficulties experienced by participants, and Future Career Intentions explores future career plans. This study highlights that a general practice new graduate nurse program has the potential to build the workforce. However, strengthening undergraduate preparation of nurses around primary health care and addressing funding issues in general practice, are important to promote the success of such programs

Exploring the General Practice Nurse\u27s Role in Delivering Primary Mental Health Care

Presentation from Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association National Conference, 10-12 May 2018, Brisbane, Australi

Bachelor of Nursing Honours Programs in Australia: current trends and key challenges

Background: To prepare nurses for a role in knowledge generation they need to engage in research training. Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) programs are a first step in this training. Developing a better understanding of current programs, their challenges and outcomes will provide an evidence base to inform curriculum development and policy making. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore current Australian Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) programs in terms of their composition, delivery and number of enrolments/graduates. Methods: Bachelor of Nursing Honours Coordinators or Heads of Schools of Nursing and Midwifery at Australian Universities were emailed an invitation to participate in an online survey. Findings: Of the 19 academics who responded to the survey, 15 (78.9%) reported currently offering a Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) program in their institution. A steady decline in mean enrolments was evident over recent years. There were clear differences in course delivery and assessment tasks between courses. Conclusion: This paper highlights the need to further explore Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) programs across Australia to ensure consistency in outcomes and to explore innovations in course delivery and project development. Such changes should incorporate feedback from students, supervisors, curriculum developers and professional stakeholders to ensure that programs address their various needs