Tony Welch

The extension of Colaizzi’s method of phenomenological enquiry

Abstract Aim: Originating from unfunded research undertaken in 2007, this paper offers an overview of Colaizzi’s method of phenomenological analysis and proposes an extension to the original seven step approach enhancing rigour and, expanding information sources to enhance in-depth descriptions of phenomena for study. Background: The focus on human experience emanates from the human sciences in which the everyday lived world of humans constitutes the ontological and epistemological focus of enquiry – understanding of human experiences. Since the emergence of phenomenology as a method of enquiry, advances in phenomenological thought and research methods have emerged. Method: Colaizzi’s phenomenological method of enquiry was used as the basis of enquiry in this study. Findings: The extension to Colaizzi’s method of analysis emanated from recent research conducted by the authors to allow participants to express their experiences through everyday language. These ‘expressions of life’ included – art, music, poetry, metaphor as symbolic representations – as a vehicle for participants’ to explicate their experiences. Conclusion: The additional step proposed as an extension to Colaizzi’s seven step analysis offers researchers using Colaizzi’s method greater access to implicit and explicit meanings embedded in participant descriptions by utilising ‘expressions of life’ – art, music, poetry, metaphor as symbolic representations – as articulated by the participants in explicating their experience of the phenomenon.

Doctoral graduates in mental health nursing in Victoria, Australia: the doctoral experience and contribution to scholarship.

The last decade has seen a substantial increase in the number of psychiatric or mental health nurses in Victoria, Australia who hold doctoral qualifications. The literature refers to the importance of scholarship for the professional development and recognition of nursing as a discipline. However, there is a paucity of literature addressing the contribution of nursing doctoral graduates to scholarship in mental health nursing or indeed the broader nursing profession. This paper presents the findings from a survey of psychiatric nurse doctoral graduates currently residing in the State of Victoria. A questionnaire was developed by the authors and distributed to the known doctoral graduates. The main findings demonstrate considerable variation in the discipline and topic of inquiry and in the extent to which doctoral studies had led to dissemination of research findings and engagement in further scholarly activity. The strengthening of mental health nursing knowledge requires scholarship and doctoral graduates are expected to make a major contribution, through research and the dissemination of findings. This paper presents a descriptive overview of doctoral graduates in one State of Australia with a particular focus on research and scholarship.

Back to the future: A practice led transition program from Assistant in Nursing to Enrolled Nurse

Continuing professional development is an essential element in professional nursing practice. In our Hospital and Health service, a gap in existing nursing pathways was identified for Assistants in Nursing (AINs), who wished to further their career in nursing and progress to Enrolled Nurse (EN). There is also little in the literature that addresses Assistants in Nursing wishing to progress their career to Enrolled Nurses. This article describes a quality improvement project designed to address this gap. The project was a collaborative venture between a Queensland Hospital and Health Service and an Institute of Tertiary and Further Education (TAFE). The focus was on creating a flexible career path for Assistants in Nursing, wishing to become Enrolled Nurses. The project resulted in the Diploma of Nursing program (theory and practice) being delivered within the hospital setting by nurse educators and clinical nurse consultants. This is unusual in that the program is normally delivered in the tertiary setting, by academic staff from the Institute of Further Education. Program implementation is described along with the challenges encountered. Outcomes from the project were: 78% completion rate; 100% employment on completion of their course of study; and 18% progressing to further their education such as Advance Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse. Student satisfaction regarding the program was also positive. The initiative established a local career path for Assistants in Nursing wishing to progress to Enrolled Nurse. This quality project demonstrates that collaborative ventures between the tertiary sector and hospital and health services, can create innovative flexible solutions for staff wishing to further their career in nursing.