Experiences of overseas nurse educators teaching in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Education at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Globalisation and a shortage of registered nurses in New Zealand have caused an increase in the number of overseas registered nurses and nurse educators migrating to New Zealand. This phenomenological study explored the experiences of overseas nurse educators teaching in New Zealand using van Manen’s approach to hermeneutic phenomenology. The lived experiences of 17 overseas nurse educators were explored through in-depth interviews, and phenomenological analytical procedures were utilised to bring to light the hidden layers of meaning inherent within these experiences. The study revealed that overseas nurse educators initially experienced a sense of non-belonging in New Zealand, while their separation from their homeland and migration to a new country resulted in a sense of disorientation. They experienced both physical and emotional separation from their loved ones. Integration was the preferred method of adaptation to New Zealand among the study participants. However, they wanted to choose which aspects of the new culture they would adopt and to what extent they would adapt. A lack of preparation and a lack of suitable orientation programmes prolonged the adaptation process of overseas nurse educators. Time was a crucial factor for overseas nurse educators’ adjustment to the New Zealand setting. Adjustment problems were greatest at the start. However, their lives improved over time as they overcame the challenges they faced. Positive relationships had a positive impact on overseas nurse educators’ adaptation to New Zealand. Adjustment was dependent on the quality and quantity of the support received

The (not-so) green shoots of recovery

Today saw the announcement of 0.6 per cent GDP growth for the second quarter of this year, leading the Chancellor, George Osborne, to claim that the economy is now ‘on the mend’. John Van Reenen takes a close look at these claims, finding that the UK’s economic indicators are by no means in the best of health. A dislocated financial sector and the UK and Eurozone’s austerity policies mean that the UK is in the midst of the longest depression in a century. He argues that for the UK to get back on the path to sustainable growth, there needs to be greater investment in public infrastructure and structural reforms to raise the UK’s productivity and increase investment

Structural Vibrations Laboratory Demonstrator

The primary objective of this project was to develop a laboratory demonstrator of structural vibrations. When the ground moves under a structure the effect on that structure is dependent upon the relationship between the frequency of the ground motion and the natural frequency of the structure. As this relationship, the frequency ratio, approaches one (1) the effect is at its most extreme. Mass, height, density of materials, modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s Ratio, damping, and bracing are variables that dictate a structure’s natural frequency. Comprehending the effects of these variables on a structure’s natural frequency and subsequently the effects on have worked problems on paper and come up with numbers but do not have a conceptual understanding. This demonstrator illustrates those effects. In the simplest of terms, this demonstrator simulates an earthquake. A two story structures of aluminum framing and plywood flooring has been built for demonstrations. The demonstrations can be useful to several classes: Static and Dynamics – two junior year courses required for all engineering disciplines; Mechanics of Materials – a required course for civil engineers; Structural Design and Structural Analysis – two required courses for civil engineers. The initial demonstration was performed with an audience and video taped. The video is available through the Department of Engineering for viewing. The project will become a permanent piece of equipment in the structural testing lab of the engineering department. It will be available for future demonstration. Additionally, it will be a tremendous stepping-stone for other student in the engineering department. For example, if a student or group of students wanted to do research on a new method for earthquake damage prevention for their senior project, it would be a valuable asset

Animation Courseware as a Learning Aid for Student ofC Language Research on "The Suitability of Multimedia Component Combinations Towards Effective Learning"

This research is developed in conjunction with the development of Animation Courseware as a Learning Aid for Student of C Language. The title of this research "The Suitability of Multimedia Component Combinations Towards Effective Learning" derived from the development of Graphical User Interface (GUI), in which merging the concept of Computer-based Learning (CBL) into the current educational trend. The development of this animation courseware would give a new dimension in developing educational software since it is planned to use animations. This animations environment is a better way in learning especially when the target subject is programming-based and the target users are among the students. The primary objective is to introduce C Language lesson in multimedia learning applications and the scope is specified in the range of the multimedia components, the user interface design and the interactive multimedia learning application. The author has narrowed the scope to just the chapter of functions due to the time constraint. In order to develop this animation courseware, there are some research methodologies being used. The main resources during the development of this animation courseware would be the lecturer of multimedia as well as the lecturer of c programming. This courseware would be a system that is fully required these days due to its fulfillment in interactive needs today. Living in a fast lane in the world today, this is very precious indeed. For people that are in the run, manual old-fashioned approach in big fuzz. Therefore, learning interactively can save time thus having understood the same as attending conventional classes, sometimes more

Study on a Compact and High Speed 4-bit BCD Adder

Speed, simplicity and efficiency in data storage are the highlights of using binary data for arithmetic operations in computer systems. But it is an irony that human beings have preferred decimal as the number base for all calculations done by hand even with the advent of binary data. Commercial databases contain more decimal data and their consequent conversion to binary and then back to decimal when used with binary arithmetic hardware reiterates the need for a decimal arithmetic hardware support in financial and commercial applications. As the use of an adder circuit is indispensable in both platforms of binary and decimal we opt the Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) adder. Compactness of gadgets, speed and abating power consumption has turned out to be an inevitable aspect over a plethora of applications. Concentrating on reducing area here we analyze different 1-bit adder cells namely SERF adder, 10T adder, 8T adder, and 6T adder cells. Simulations were done in Cadence Virtuoso tool at 180nm and 90nm for technology independence. The 6T adder outperforms in terms of area, power and PDP and is implemented in 4-bit BCD adder estimating the delay and power consumed against the conventional design in 90nm technology. Simulation results estimate that the proposed BCD adder outperforms the conventional design in all design aspects of area, power, PDP and delay

The application of molecular tethers in controlling axial chirality

Atropisomeric biaryl compounds are an attractive target in organic chemistry due to their abundance in nature and their utility as ligands in catalysis. Among the methods available for their synthesis, the use of chiral tethers offers very high levels of stereocontrol. In this article, we review the application of molecular tethers in controlling axial chirality across a range of different ligands and natural products

Interventions to support risk and benefit understanding of disease-modifying drugs in Multiple Sclerosis patients:A systematic review

Objective: The present review evaluates interventions that have been designed to improve understanding of the complex risk-benefit profiles of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: A systematic search conducted using PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and PsycINFO identified 15 studies. Interventions which provided treatment information were present across a range of study designs. A narrative synthesis was conducted due to heterogeneity of research findings. Results: Interventions providing treatment information ranged from comprehensive education programmes to booklets of a few pages. MS patients favoured the interventions they received. Understanding of overall treatment information and treatment risks specifically, generally improved following interventions. Yet overestimation of treatment benefits persisted. There was no conclusive effect on DMD decisions. No superior intervention was identified. Conclusion: Interventions designed to improve understanding of DMD risk and benefit information are moderately successful. Practice implications: Additional support provided to MS patients beyond routine healthcare can generally improve understanding of the complex risk-benefit profiles of DMDs. Future interventions need to ensure that patients with symptoms that may confound understanding can also benefit from this additional information.</p

Multiple sclerosis patients' understanding and preferences for risks and benefits of disease-modifying drugs:A systematic review

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are faced with complex risk-benefit profiles of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) when making treatment decisions. For effective shared decision-making, MS patients should understand the risks and benefits of DMDs and make treatment decisions based on personal preferences. Methods: This is an inclusive systematic review to primarily assess current understanding of MS patients for information about DMDs provided during the standard healthcare system.The secondary aim assesses MS patients'preferences for specific risks and benefits of treatments. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed,Embase and Google Scholar. A total of 22 studies were reviewed across both aims. Relevant quantitative and qualitative data was extracted by two authors. A narrative synthesis was conducted due to heterogeneity of research findings. Results: There was a trend for DMD risks to be generally underestimated and DMD benefits to be generally overestimated by MS patients. Treatments that could potentially offer substantial symptom improvement, delay in disease progression, or reduction in relapses were preferred even at the expense of higher risks. Conclusions: Many patients' experience of information during the standard healthcare system does not provide satisfactory understanding of the risks and benefits of DMDs. Effective ways to communicate risk and benefit DMD information when making shared treatment decisions needs to be identified. Patient preferences of DMD risks and benefits should also be taken into accoun