Are they really Cinderellas? Exploring residential aged care nursing in New Zealand
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Authors
Lessells, Alison
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Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2015
Supervisors
Thompson, Shona
Hantler, Alexa
Hantler, Alexa
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
aged care nursing
residential care
older people
history
aged care nursing
residential care
older people
history
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Lessells, A. (2015). Are they really Cinderellas? Exploring residential aged care nursing in New Zealand. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing). Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), New Zealand.
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to explore nursing in residential aged care in New Zealand since 1901. The aim was to identify the continuities and changes that occurred during this time. An initial literature review indicated that this was an area not previously researched. Nursing in residential aged care was described as challenging, rewarding and complex. However, perceptions were often of hard work, poor pay and conditions in an area of nursing often considered to be of a lower status. Continuing care for the elderly was identified as the second largest practice area for registered nurses in New Zealand. This is an employment area likely to grow with the rapidly ageing population.
Historical research was the methodology used. Historical research is used to identify patterns and changes in society and how these informed the present. New Zealand nursing publications Kai Tiaki, Nursing Praxis New Zealand and Nursing Review were used as the primary source material. Analysis of the data highlighted a variety of factors that impacted on nursing in residential aged care. These factors included ageism, cultural views on ageing, paradigms of health care provision and financing, workforce issues, development of the nursing profession and aged care as a specialty area of practice.
In analyses of the findings the term Cinderella was frequently found to be used to describe the situation of alleged under-resourcing of the residential aged care sector and the perceived lower status of nurses working in this area, which were associated with ongoing workforce concerns. A primary concern for nurses was the quality of care for clients. In response to this, new modes of care were introduced, post-basic education grew, a specialty area of practice was recognised and nurses working in residential aged care developed a political voice in joining older adults and their advocacy groups to raise awareness of policy decisions that impacted on the health care of the older person.
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