New nurse graduates' understanding of competence.

This article describes the findings of a phenomenographic research approach used to understand the experiences of competence of new nurse graduates. The aim of phenomenography is to describe the qualitatively different ways in which people understand a phenomenon. Six new graduates, who had been employed in two paediatric metropolitan hospitals in Australia, participated in the research. The graduates were interviewed and asked to describe and draw their understanding of competence. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analysed according to accepted phenomenographic methods of analysis. The graduates described eight conceptions of competence: competence as safe practice; competence as limited independence; competence as utilization of resources; competence as management of time and workload; competence as ethical practice; competence as performance of clinical skills; competence as knowledge; and competence as evolving. The final outcome of identification of conceptions led to the development of an outcome space (a diagrammatic representation of the logical relations between conceptions). The outcome space depicted a three-level hierarchical relationship between the eight conceptions of competence experienced within a global framework of safety. The findings contribute to nursing knowledge by describing the meaning of competence from the perspective of the new nurse graduate. The need for support and assistance by employers of new graduates is confirmed from the findings. New nurse graduate experiences of competence provide suggestions for improving undergraduate education programmes as well as clarification of entry-level competency standards.

Performance of urinary catheterisation by mothers of children with spina bifida.

This paper describes a review of the practices related to the performance of catheterisation for obtaining residual volume of urine by mothers of children with spina bifida. Mothers of children, up to five years of age and attending an outpatient Specialist Clinic were requested to perform catheterisation once a month to obtain urine residuals. The procedure for catheterisation was taught to mothers in the Outpatient's Clinic. A review of clinical practice resulted in discontinuation of this procedure. Mothers (n = 16) reported varied reasons for feeling relieved that the procedure was discontinued.

Needs of parents of the child hospitalised with acquired brain damage.

This paper describes the findings of a descriptive study into needs of parents of children with Acquired Brain Damage during hospitalisation. Thirty four parents of 28 children treated at a tertiary referral pediatric hospital were interviewed. Parents described their experiences during their child's hospitalisation and identified needs which, when met, enabled them to care for their children and cope with the sudden illness and disabilities. Three themes were identified: services that optimised the child's recovery, services which supported parents cope with child's illness and services assisting in maintenance of family functioning and stability. An emerging model of parental needs and nursing interventions to meet these are identified.