Aims and objectives: To explore the contribution of family members in promoting and supporting the self-management of chronic conditions amongst adult family members.Background: The prevalence of chronic disease continues to grow globally. The role

Aim and objective: To critically review contemporary transition theories to determine how they apply to the newly qualified graduate registered nurse programmes. Background: Graduate nurse transition to employment is the time of significant change which has resulted in high attrition rates. Graduates are often challenged by their expectation of nursing practice and the reality of the role. The transition from hospital-based training to university-based training has resulted in the need for primary employment to commence with graduate/orientation/internship programmes to help support new graduates transition into clinical practice. One transition model, Duchscher's stages of transition theory, utilised three former theories to develop a final model. Design: A narrative critical literature review. Method: The theories selected for the review were Kramer's reality shock theory, Benner's novice to expert theory, Bridges transition theory and Duchscher's stages of transition theory. Conclusion: Duchscher's stages of transition theory reflects the experiences of registered nursing transition into the workforce directly from university. The application of the theory is effective to guide understanding of the current challenges that new graduate nurse's experience today. There is a need for new graduates to complete their university degree as advanced beginners in order to decrease the experience of transition shock and keep pace with rapidly changing demands of the clinical environment. This may be achieved by increasing ward-based simulation in university education. A theoretical framework can provide a deep understanding of the various stages and processes of transition and enable development of successful programmes.Relevance to clinical practice: Both universities and hospitals need to adapt their current practice to align with the needs of new graduates due to large student numbers and ongoing systematic advancements to decrease the attrition rate.

When evaluating nursing skill mix, a higher percentage of registered nurses may result in health-care facility cost savings by providing a shorter length of stay and decreased patient complications.

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Aims and objectives To explore the ways in which Irish and Australian Nurse Practitioners (NPs) implement leadership and research in their roles and whether there is a difference in how leadership and research are demonstrated between NPs in Ireland and Australia. Background The original concept of the NP role was to expand nursing practice in order to provide high‐quality, accessible health care to patients. This placed NPs at the crux of changes to healthcare delivery. Implementing these changes requires leadership. Research demonstrates the effects of these changes to healthcare delivery and contributes to healthcare knowledge from the nursing profession. Design In the qualitative phase of a mixed methods study, an interpretative descriptive approach was used to draw on participant experiences. Methods Thirty‐eight respondents agreed to be interviewed following an online survey. Ten interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke thematic analysis method. The research complied with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research, COREQ. Results Ten participants, five NPs from Ireland and five from Australia were interviewed. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (a) Innovative leadership, which included the categories of leadership activities, the work of NPs and trailblazers; (b) Optimism, incorporating pride in achievements, the future outlook for the role and continued innovation of NPs over time; (c) Research, which included the NP research role, research challenges, support and research leadership; and (d) Resilience, which included overcoming resistance, isolation and seeking positive support systems. Conclusion Nurse Practitioners are clinical leaders focused on improving healthcare delivery for patient populations. There is a lack of understanding of the NP role. Nurse Practitioners lack confidence to be independently research active. Research by NPs requires support from nurses in academia. There is no difference in the role in Ireland and Australia. Relevance to clinical practice Nurse Practitioners are engaged in healthcare transformation. Nurse Practitioners require support from research experts in academia to make a significant contribution to nursing knowledge in healthcare delivery.