The effect of tenofovir on renal function in HIV-positive pregnant women.

Introduction: Tenofovir is a commonly used component of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to reduce vertical transmission of HIV. Although systematic review of tenofovir use in pregnancy concluded it to be low risk for foetal abnormalities (1), data is limited on its impact on renal function in pregnant women. A recent South African study (2) concluded that renal dysfunction in HIV-infected pregnant women is significantly less common than in other HIV-infected adults, however there is currently no UK data.

Creating a 21st century nursing work force: designing a bachelor of nursing program in response to the health reform agenda.

This paper demonstrates the processes of designing a nursing curriculum that integrates health care and educational reforms, regulatory requirements and the needs of a modern nursing workforce. In particular, the paper illustrates the application of a curriculum design process. In 2008, the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of South Australia completed the challenging task of designing and implementing a Bachelor of Nursing curriculum to ensure that nursing graduates meet projected health care delivery needs within the Australian context.

Getting off to a good start? A multi-site study of orienting student nurses during aged care clinical placements.

Undergraduate nursing students rate residential aged care an unattractive career option. Some likely causes are beyond the control of the sector, others within or partly within its control. Addressing the problem - the aim of the modelling connections project - is important and urgent.

Making sure the residents get their tablets: medication administration in care homes for older people.

Aim: This paper reports an exploratory study of issues concerning the nursing practice of altering medication dose forms prior to administration of medicines to residents in homes for older people.

Background: Medication use and administration is a major issue in residential homes for older people. Research suggests that the alteration of medication dose forms in these homes is a widespread practice.

Virtual reality or real virtuality: the space of flows and nursing practice.

The use of virtual environments for the provision of health-care is on the increase, and with each new development brings debates about their impact on care, nursing and nursing practice. Such environments offer opportunities for extending care and improvements in communication. Others believe these developments threaten aspects of nursing they hold sacrosanct.

Co-operation and co-morbidity: managing dual diagnosis in rural South Australia.

This paper reports a small portion of the findings from a research study that explored how the use of the label 'dual diagnosis' impacts on service delivery to people with concurrent mental health and alcohol and/or other drug problems in rural South Australia. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with registered nurses from Rural Mental Health Services and Rural Drug and Alcohol Services. Using a form of discourse analysis we explored the interview data for descriptions of management of people with dual diagnosis.