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Finally, a call for longitudinal studies of students to graduates, using conceptually derived and psychometrically proven instruments capable of detecting the subtle changes in the construct over time, is recommended. Further empirical research into the theoretical concepts that underline professional identity, and the factors that influence changes in this important construct in nursing, is required. Ultimately, the practical relevance of such research will lie in the potential it provides for enhanced nursing career support and improved workforce policies.

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The aim of this study was to synthesize all relevant information about nursing documentation and present the essential aspects of quality nursing documentation. Literature searches, limited to the English language, were conducted on both CINAHL (1982 to week 3, April 2008) and MEDLINE (1996 to April 2008) using the following search terms: attitude, audit, care, culture, documentation, guideline health, in service, legal, liability, medical, nurses, nursing, organizational, patient, personnel, planning practice, quality, records, research and training. One hundred and seventy-one papers were reviewed for their relevance to the clinical question. Twenty-eight articles were read by two researchers. Data informing the clinical question were extracted and categorized into key concepts by an analysis of similarities. The seven major themes (essentials) of quality nursing documentation were identified. This paper has reviewed contemporary literature, research evidence and local policies to identify the seven essential components of quality nursing documentation. Some of the barriers or more controversial aspects of the final policy are described.

Background: Current evidence highlights the importance of oral health during pregnancy. However, little is known about the oral health of pregnant women in Australia. The aim of this study was to report the oral health status, knowledge and practices of pregnant women in south-western Sydney. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 241 pregnant women attending a large hospital in south-western Sydney. Results: More than half (59.3%) reported dental problems during pregnancy, less than a third (30.5%) saw a dentist in the last six months, only 10% had received any information about perinatal oral health and many (>50%) were unaware of the potential impact of poor maternal oral health on pregnancy and infant outcomes. Analysis revealed a significant difference (<0.05) in the uptake of dental services among pregnant women who had higher household incomes, private health insurance, received information about perinatal oral health and knowledge about maternal oral health. Conclusions: The participants reported significant barriers to obtaining dental care including limited access to affordable dental services and lack of awareness about the importance of maternal oral health. The findings suggest the need for preventive strategies involving dentists and antenatal providers to improve maternal oral health in Australia.

Background: Professional identity, or how a doctor thinks of himself or herself as a doctor, is considered to be as critical to medical education as the acquisition of skills and knowledge relevant to patient care. Summary: This article examines contemporary literature on the development of professional identity within medicine. Relevant theories of identity construction are explored and their application to medical education and pedagogical approaches to enhancing students' professional identity are proposed. The influence of communities of practice, role models, and narrative reflection within curricula are examined. Conclusions: Medical education needs to be responsive to changes in professional identity being generated from factors within medical student experiences and within contemporary society.

This study has confirmed that interruptions are frequent and result in clinical errors and procedural failures, compromising patient safety. These interruptions contribute a substantial additional workload to medication tasks. Various interventions should be implemented to reduce non-patient-related interruptions. Medication systems and procedures are advocated, that reduce the need for joint double-checking of medications, indirectly avoiding interruptions.

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