Fading vision: knowledge translation in the implementation of a public health policy intervention.

Background: In response to several high profile public health crises, public health renewal is underway in Canada. In the province of British Columbia, the Ministry of Health initiated a collaborative evidence-informed process involving a steering committee of representatives from the six health authorities. A Core Functions (CF) Framework was developed, identifying 21 core public health programs.

Doing the best I can do: moral distress in adolescent mental health nursing.

The purpose of this research was to explore the process used by mental health nurses working with adolescents to ameliorate the experience of moral distress. Using grounded theory methodology, a substantive theory was developed to explain the process. All the incidents that led to the experience of moral distress were related to safety and resulted in the nurses asking themselves the question, "Is this the best I can do?" Engaging in dialogue was the primary means nurses used to work through the experience of moral distress.

Keeping vigil over the profession: a grounded theory of the context of nurse anaesthesia practice.

Background: Nurse anaesthetists in the US have faced continued, repeated challenges to their profession. Regardless, they have met these challenges and have established themselves as major anaesthesia care providers. In this paper we address the research question: How do certified registered nurse anaesthetists (CRNAs) manage the socio-political context in which they provide care for their patients?

Methods: Grounded theory was used to explore how nurse anaesthetists protect and promote their profession.

The tyranny of consensus: implications for nursing education.

The egalitarian appeal of decision making based on consensus has been valued as a strong alternative to other decision making approaches such as voting. In this paper, we identify some of the challenges inherent in this view, and suggest consideration of alternative decision making approaches needed at times to help nurse educators in their work with students and colleagues. As nurse educators, we have a responsibility to educate students about the meanings of consensus, to encourage open discussion about implicit values underlying behaviors, and help them appreciate the importance of dissent in a democratic society.