Carolyn Mackintosh

Reflection: a flawed strategy forthe nursing profession

The meaning and process of reflection and reflective practice appear to be currently accepted and institutionalized within the nursing profession. This paper, through use of a literature review, attempts to question the value that is consequently placed on this strategy and argues that on closer examination, reflection has no clear or universal definition, an uncertain framework for implementation, and is of unproven benefit to the professional practice of nurses. Given this evidence, the author concludes that reflection is a fundamentally flawed strategy that must be of limited benefit to the nursing profession.

A phenomenological study of pain following fractured shaft of femur.

• There is very little work that discusses the pain experience following fractured shaft of femur. Therefore, an exploratory phenomenological study of the individual experience of pain following a traumatic fracture of the shaft of femur was conducted. • Two key themes emerged: the injury experience and the pain experience, both linked to the need to maintain physical integrity. • The findings underline the highly complex nature of the pain experience and illustrate the range of experiences that individuals with traumatic fractures are exposed to. • The findings have implications for the nursing and medical management of patients following long bone fracture.

“Is there a place for “care” within nursing?”

This paper explores the assumption that care and nursing are both interchangeable and symbiotic concepts, and argues through exploration of the literature on the nature of care, its relationship to nursing, the socialisation process, and the personal human difficulties nurses experience when carrying out their daily role, that this assumption needs serious reconsideration. This has major implications for the nursing profession when attempting to define its roles and boundaries, as current views appear inconsistent with each other and in conflict with the actual process of nursing, and need to be resolved to reflect the actual practice of nursing and work of the nurse.

A phenomenological investigation of the individuals experience of pain following a fractured shaft of femur

• There is very little work that discusses the pain experience following fractured shaft of femur. Therefore, an exploratory phenomenological study of the individual experience of pain following a traumatic fracture of the shaft of femur was conducted. • Two key themes emerged: the injury experience and the pain experience, both linked to the need to maintain physical integrity. • The findings underline the highly complex nature of the pain experience and illustrate the range of experiences that individuals with traumatic fractures are exposed to. • The findings have implications for the nursing and medical management of patients following long bone fracture.