Core components of the Rural Nurse Specialist role in New Zealand
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Other Title
Authors
Bell, Jennie
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2015
Supervisors
Crawford, Ruth
Holloway, Kathy
Holloway, Kathy
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
rural nurses
roles
interviews
rural nurses
roles
interviews
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Bell, J. (2015). Core components of the Rural Nurse Specialist role 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 (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing).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
New Zealand has a rural population with unique health needs which were traditionally provided by General Practitioners (GPs) practicing within a rural area (Goodyear & Janes, 2008). The Rural Nurse Specialist (RNS) role developed in response to a decline in GPs in rural areas. The RNS is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced nursing skills, enabling independent and autonomous practice. The RNS role has developed according to local needs leading to limited consistent information regarding the RNS. This thesis was undertaken to provide a description of the RNS role within New Zealand.
METHOD
A descriptive exploratory approach was taken for this study. Phase One involved a document analysis of five position descriptions of Rural Nurse Specialist or similar from district health boards. In Phase Two four RNSs from rural areas participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using categories from the Modified Strong Model of Advanced Practice (Gardner, Chang, & Duffield, 2007).
RESULTS
The RNS role is an advanced practice role which focusses on direct patient care, creating a specialist generalist role. RNSs have an advanced knowledge base to assess, treat and diagnose patients within nurse-led clinics, and to provide after-hours emergency services. Engaging in postgraduate education is a priority for the RNS. Lack of recognition of the RNS role affects effective collaboration with other health professionals.
CONCLUSIONS
RNSs provide independent patient care including assessment, diagnosis and treatment. In order to provide independent patient care it is important that RNSs have postgraduate education. RNSs perceive the NP role to be better recognised than the RNS role, and all were considering furthering their advanced practice by becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
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