title: Identifying an appropriate science curriculum for undergraduate nursing in New Zealand

authors: Fenton, Christine Dunnington

subjects: Nursing education

abstract: The depth and breadth of science knowledge that is required to educate registered nurses has been the subject of much debate, both nationally and internationally. Central to the debate is the lack of clarity on what science is required for nursing. Nursing students world-wide report anxieties and difficulties with learning science within nursing programmes. It has not been established if science is required for nursing, nor has it been established how science is used by nurses engaged in clinical practice. This research was aimed at examining the use of science in nursing practice and therefore identifying an appropriate undergraduate nursing science curriculum for New Zealand nursing schools. To achieve this aim, a mixed method, interpretive, naturalistic approach has been employed involving interviews, surveys, observation studies and document analysis. The research had four phases; interviews with nine nurse educators and lecturers, written surveys undertaken by 71 registered nurses, observation and in-depth interviews with 17 registered nurses’ in practice across the central and lower North Island, and document analysis. Nurse educators and lecturers were interviewed to gain their perspectives of the role of science in nursing. A Science Attitude and Self-Efficacy (SASE) survey included sections that focused on nurses’ attitudes towards their nursing science courses, attitudes towards science in nursing, and probed their confidence in their own ability to use science in practice. Observations of nurses in their clinical practice were conducted over several hours and the nurses interviewed about their observed actions. The observed nursing actions and espoused science knowledge that were extracted from clinical practice were categorised into science and science-related topics which frame the breadth of content used in nursing practice, and the depth was ascertained by the level of complexity the nurse was able to articulate. Document analysis of curriculum information as well as Nursing Council of New Zealand standards for education, competencies and scopes of practice was also performed to ascertain the importance and relevance of science to nursing practice. Nursing Council documents state that science is important for all levels of nursing practice, from patient observation, to clinical decision-making. Science knowledge assists the nurse when conducting risk analyses and when performing nursing care and assessment. A competent nurse needs to provide advocacy and education for a patient. To be effective at this, a nurse needs to be able to read, critique, understand and translate scientific information and be able to effectively communicate with other health professionals. The majority of nurses in practice felt that science knowledge was the foundation for nursing practice, and that nurses require an in-depth knowledge of science. Nurses who had passed Level 3 secondary school science were more likely to have found studying nursing science courses easy, and had a positive attitude towards using science-in-practice. Those nurses who had a positive attitude towards science were more likely to use in-depth science knowledge in their nursing practice. Nurses who practice in areas where their decision-making is independent and autonomous were more likely to use more in-depth science to inform their practice. Nurses that had a less positive attitude towards science were more likely to have experienced difficulty studying science courses as a student, and were more likely to apply shallow science in their nursing practice. The curriculum design processes within nursing schools may contribute to devaluation of science in nursing. Nursing lecturers were more likely to have a less positive attitude of science’s relevance to nursing practice than nurses in practice. Some aspects of science’s contribution to nursing were unrecognised and may explain why aspects of science-based knowledge and skills that were observed in clinical practice were not represented formally in the reviewed curricula. Nursing science curricula are often represented as discrete packages of science information, whereas in nursing practice, science is entirely integrated. As such, nursing science education needs to become integrated, but explicit within nursing, and its contribution and relevance to nursing more emphasised. Trends in healthcare indicate that the nursing workplace of the future will require nurses to engage in more independent and autonomous practice in the community. This will require nurses who can engage with scientific material, as well be able to innovate and advance nursing practice, which has implications for nursing education. This thesis identifies an appropriate science curriculum for undergraduate nursing in New Zealand and contains recommendations for its implementation.

text: Identifying an appropriate science curriculum for undergraduate nursing in New Zealand The depth and breadth of science knowledge that is required to educate registered nurses has been the subject of much debate, both nationally and internationally. Central to the debate is the lack of clarity on what science is required for nursing. Nursing students world-wide report anxieties and difficulties with learning science within nursing programmes. It has not been established if science is required for nursing, nor has it been established how science is used by nurses engaged in clinical practice. This research was aimed at examining the use of science in nursing practice and therefore identifying an appropriate undergraduate nursing science curriculum for New Zealand nursing schools. To achieve this aim, a mixed method, interpretive, naturalistic approach has been employed involving interviews, surveys, observation studies and document analysis. The research had four phases; interviews with nine nurse educators and lecturers, written surveys undertaken by 71 registered nurses, observation and in-depth interviews with 17 registered nurses’ in practice across the central and lower North Island, and document analysis. Nurse educators and lecturers were interviewed to gain their perspectives of the role of science in nursing. A Science Attitude and Self-Efficacy (SASE) survey included sections that focused on nurses’ attitudes towards their nursing science courses, attitudes towards science in nursing, and probed their confidence in their own ability to use science in practice. Observations of nurses in their clinical practice were conducted over several hours and the nurses interviewed about their observed actions. The observed nursing actions and espoused science knowledge that were extracted from clinical practice were categorised into science and science-related topics which frame the breadth of content used in nursing practice, and the depth was ascertained by the level of complexity the nurse was able to articulate. Document analysis of curriculum information as well as Nursing Council of New Zealand standards for education, competencies and scopes of practice was also performed to ascertain the importance and relevance of science to nursing practice. Nursing Council documents state that science is important for all levels of nursing practice, from patient observation, to clinical decision-making. Science knowledge assists the nurse when conducting risk analyses and when performing nursing care and assessment. A competent nurse needs to provide advocacy and education for a patient. To be effective at this, a nurse needs to be able to read, critique, understand and translate scientific information and be able to effectively communicate with other health professionals. The majority of nurses in practice felt that science knowledge was the foundation for nursing practice, and that nurses require an in-depth knowledge of science. Nurses who had passed Level 3 secondary school science were more likely to have found studying nursing science courses easy, and had a positive attitude towards using science-in-practice. Those nurses who had a positive attitude towards science were more likely to use in-depth science knowledge in their nursing practice. Nurses who practice in areas where their decision-making is independent and autonomous were more likely to use more in-depth science to inform their practice. Nurses that had a less positive attitude towards science were more likely to have experienced difficulty studying science courses as a student, and were more likely to apply shallow science in their nursing practice. The curriculum design processes within nursing schools may contribute to devaluation of science in nursing. Nursing lecturers were more likely to have a less positive attitude of science’s relevance to nursing practice than nurses in practice. Some aspects of science’s contribution to nursing were unrecognised and may explain why aspects of science-based knowledge and skills that were observed in clinical practice were not represented formally in the reviewed curricula. Nursing science curricula are often represented as discrete packages of science information, whereas in nursing practice, science is entirely integrated. As such, nursing science education needs to become integrated, but explicit within nursing, and its contribution and relevance to nursing more emphasised. Trends in healthcare indicate that the nursing workplace of the future will require nurses to engage in more independent and autonomous practice in the community. This will require nurses who can engage with scientific material, as well be able to innovate and advance nursing practice, which has implications for nursing education. This thesis identifies an appropriate science curriculum for undergraduate nursing in New Zealand and contains recommendations for its implementation.

year: 2010

title: Adult dyslexia in New Zealand: The professional development needs of adult literacy educators

authors: van Lamoen, Annette

subjects: adult dyslexia

abstract: The needs of New Zealand adults with dyslexia are typically not sufficiently catered for in the tertiary education system (Rowan, 2010a; Tunmer & Greaney, 2010). In recent years efforts have been made to increase training opportunities for adult learners with literacy needs and to enhance the quality of teaching (Tertiary Education Commission, 2010b).  This challenge can only be met if New Zealand adult literacy educators are adequately prepared in teaching learners with dyslexia. Research suggests they are not (Benseman, Sutton & Lander, 2005b; Dymock & Nicholson, 2012; Leach, Zepke & Haworth; 2010).  

The purposes of the study were (a) to investigate the need among adult literacy educators in New Zealand to engage in training or professional development (PD) in order to improve their capability to cater for the needs of adult dyslexic learners; (b) to measure their perceived confidence as well as their perceived and actual knowledge levels in three areas: language, reading development, and dyslexia; and (c) to measure the effectiveness of targeted training and professional development. 

An online survey was conducted with 137 staff at tertiary organisations, including PTEs, ITPs and Wānanga. Post-survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 adult literacy educators. The online survey included a questionnaire and a knowledge assessment.  The questionnaire measured educators’ confidence levels in meeting the needs of dyslexic learners, their perceived training need, and their perceived levels of knowledge in the areas of language, reading development and dyslexia.  The knowledge assessment measured the actual levels of knowledge in these three areas.  

The results suggested that there is a high need among New Zealand adult literacy educators to engage in training or professional development in dyslexia, that they feel less than confident in meeting the needs of dyslexic learners, and have insufficient knowledge in areas relevant to the teaching of dyslexic learners.  Perceived knowledge levels exceeded actual knowledge levels, indicating unrealistic self-evaluations of knowledge. A comparison of the test results of educators who had and those who had not engaged in dyslexia training indicated that targeted training and professional development is effective in raising educators’ awareness and understanding of dyslexia.

Implications support the development and reform of training and PD opportunities in dyslexia to better prepare, inform and educate New Zealand adult literacy educators.

text: Adult dyslexia in New Zealand: The professional development needs of adult literacy educators The needs of New Zealand adults with dyslexia are typically not sufficiently catered for in the tertiary education system (Rowan, 2010a; Tunmer & Greaney, 2010). In recent years efforts have been made to increase training opportunities for adult learners with literacy needs and to enhance the quality of teaching (Tertiary Education Commission, 2010b).  This challenge can only be met if New Zealand adult literacy educators are adequately prepared in teaching learners with dyslexia. Research suggests they are not (Benseman, Sutton & Lander, 2005b; Dymock & Nicholson, 2012; Leach, Zepke & Haworth; 2010).  

The purposes of the study were (a) to investigate the need among adult literacy educators in New Zealand to engage in training or professional development (PD) in order to improve their capability to cater for the needs of adult dyslexic learners; (b) to measure their perceived confidence as well as their perceived and actual knowledge levels in three areas: language, reading development, and dyslexia; and (c) to measure the effectiveness of targeted training and professional development. 

An online survey was conducted with 137 staff at tertiary organisations, including PTEs, ITPs and Wānanga. Post-survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 adult literacy educators. The online survey included a questionnaire and a knowledge assessment.  The questionnaire measured educators’ confidence levels in meeting the needs of dyslexic learners, their perceived training need, and their perceived levels of knowledge in the areas of language, reading development and dyslexia.  The knowledge assessment measured the actual levels of knowledge in these three areas.  

The results suggested that there is a high need among New Zealand adult literacy educators to engage in training or professional development in dyslexia, that they feel less than confident in meeting the needs of dyslexic learners, and have insufficient knowledge in areas relevant to the teaching of dyslexic learners.  Perceived knowledge levels exceeded actual knowledge levels, indicating unrealistic self-evaluations of knowledge. A comparison of the test results of educators who had and those who had not engaged in dyslexia training indicated that targeted training and professional development is effective in raising educators’ awareness and understanding of dyslexia.

Implications support the development and reform of training and PD opportunities in dyslexia to better prepare, inform and educate New Zealand adult literacy educators.

year: 2013

title: The Rangatahi court

authors: Dickson, Matiu

abstract: It has become popular to use the marae setting as an alternative to the mainstream courts in dealing with young Māori offenders. The rationale is that taking young Māori offenders back to the marae to be dealt with in the youth justice system, encourages them to face up to their responsibilities and aids their rehabilitation back into the community. The expectation is that whānau will be present to support the young person and to help resolve his or her offending and bad behaviour. I supported this innovation when it was introduced but now I have second thoughts having seen that a marae that piloted this scheme was vandalised with graffiti painted on the marae buildings. In my view, when this happened the scheme to use marae should have ceased and an opportunity taken to rethink their use in this way. For a Māori the vandalism of their marae is like a physical assault on the person of their tupuna. This paper looks at the traditional role of marae in the Māori community and questions the use of marae as judicial settings. It suggests what needs to be done first to make this setting tika or appropriate.

text: The Rangatahi court It has become popular to use the marae setting as an alternative to the mainstream courts in dealing with young Māori offenders. The rationale is that taking young Māori offenders back to the marae to be dealt with in the youth justice system, encourages them to face up to their responsibilities and aids their rehabilitation back into the community. The expectation is that whānau will be present to support the young person and to help resolve his or her offending and bad behaviour. I supported this innovation when it was introduced but now I have second thoughts having seen that a marae that piloted this scheme was vandalised with graffiti painted on the marae buildings. In my view, when this happened the scheme to use marae should have ceased and an opportunity taken to rethink their use in this way. For a Māori the vandalism of their marae is like a physical assault on the person of their tupuna. This paper looks at the traditional role of marae in the Māori community and questions the use of marae as judicial settings. It suggests what needs to be done first to make this setting tika or appropriate.

year: 2011