Karen Francis

Bio: Karen Francis is an academic researcher from University of Tasmania. The author has contributed to research in topics: Health care & Grounded theory. The author has an hindex of 35, co-authored 212 publications receiving 7482 citations. Previous affiliations of Karen Francis include University of Adelaide & Australian Catholic University.

Using overseas registered nurses to fill employment gaps in rural health services: Quick fix or sustainable strategy?

Abstract: Objective: This study sought to identify and evaluate approaches used to attract internationally trained nurses from traditional and non-traditional countries and incentives employed to retain them in small rural hospitals in Gippsland, Victoria. Design: An exploratory descriptive design. Setting: Small rural hospitals in Gippsland, Victoria. Participants: Hospital staff responsible for recruitment of nurses and overseas trained nurses from traditional and non-traditional sources (e.g. England, Scotland, India, Zimbabwe, Holland, Singapore, Malaysia). Results and Conclusion: Recruitment of married overseas trained nurses is more sustainable than that of single registered nurses, however, the process of recruitment for the hospital and potential employees is costly. Rural hospitality diffuses some of these expenses by the employing hospitals providing emergency accommodation and necessary furnishings. Cultural differences and dissonance regarding practice create barriers for some of the overseas trained nurses to move towards a more sanguine position. On the positive side, single overseas registered nurses use the opportunity to work in rural Australian hospitals as an effective working holiday that promotes employment in larger, more specialized hospitals. Overall both the registered nurses and the employees believe the experience to be beneficial rather than detrimental.

Scoping the context of programs and services for maintaining wellness of older people in rural areas of Indonesia

Abstract: Introduction: Ageing and problems concerning the aged are an increasing and concerning reality in developing and underdeveloped countries such as Indonesia. Improving service quality is important to promote and maintain wellness of older persons, especially in rural areas. Aim: To explore programs and services offered to the elderly in a rural area of Indonesia to support them in promoting and maintaining their wellness. To describe roles and practices of health professionals and teams responsible for delivering services to older people. Methods: Action research was used with mixed method data collection (interview and survey). Results: Results demonstrated that activities related to the elderly health programs were limited due to budget and facilities. Practices of health staff for elderly in the community focused on intervention tasks, rather than prevention. Limitation: Lack of available information on the range of programs and services implemented in Indonesia for the elderly in community settings was a limitation of this study. Conclusion: Programs and services for older people have been implemented in Indonesia. However, these do not yet meet their needs, especially in rural areas. There is a need for greater focus on health promotion and illness prevention. Implication for Nursing and Health Policy: Findings contribute to development of international knowledge in community health nursing, as these issues may not be only relevant to Indonesia. It is timely for governments, including in Indonesia, to evaluate health workforce needs in the community and appropriate educational qualifications for delivering optimal health services for older people.

Definitions of suicide and self-harm behavior in an Australian aboriginal community.

Abstract: In this small qualitative grounded theory study (21 interviews and focus groups with a total of 26 participants) investigating the understandings of and attitudes toward suicide and self-harm of Aboriginal peoples in a coastal region of New South Wales, Australia, we found that cultural factors particular to these communities influence the way such behavior is defined in an Aboriginal context. A continuation of certain "traditional" cultural forms of self-harm behavior was evident in participant definitions, notably the practice of female hair cutting, also described as a mourning ritual, which appears to serve as a marker both to the individual and others.

Career progression - The views of Queensland's nurses

Abstract: Objectives: To inform policy through determination of the views of Queensland nurses on career progression. Design: A quantitative cross-sectional cohort design with mailed survey. Setting: Financial members of the Queensland Nurses' Union. Main outcome measures: Extent of the relationship between opportunity for career progression in nursing with turnover and retention. Results: A majority (54.4%) of the 1365 respondents were satisfied with their career progression. Only 11.6% were dissatisfied. Satisfaction was not related to length of time in nursing, but did increase among nurses enrolled in further education programs. Dissatisfaction was related to four themes: lack of support to advance knowledge; lack of opportunities for promotion; number of career options; and costs associated with advancement. A quarter of the nurses were contemplating a move within nursing in the next year and most of these nurses (62%) indicated that the move was for the purpose of career advancement. One in six nurses were contemplating leaving nursing altogether; however only 12.8% of those cited lack of career as the factor for intended departure. Results continued the trend seen in previous surveys over the last decade of a small but significant reduction in the perception that career prospects in nursing were limited. Conclusion: Although the perception that there are limitations to career advancement in nursing has reduced in the last decade, there is still room for improvement. Lack of career progression remains a concern of nurses; however this is not generally manifested in an intention to leave nursing. Rather, nurses are prepared to consider moves within nursing to further their careers.

Contributing to a culture of learning: a mentor development and support project for Australian rural nurses.

Abstract: Mentoring in rural and remote nursing receives little attention in the literature, even though it is emerging in Australia as a popular strategy to improve the retention of staff. The Association for Australian Rural Nurses established a 2-year Mentor Development and Support Project in 2003 with the aim of promoting mentoring among rural and remote nurses. During the life of the project, 101 such nurses attended Mentor Development Workshops. This project demonstrated that training is an important prerequisite for rural and remote nurses who are planning to enter a mentoring relationship. Participant evaluation showed an increase in mentoring knowledge and skills and a subsequent rise in confidence about undertaking the role. Participants also believed that their increased capacity to mentor was reflected in their workplaces, contributing to a positive culture of learning.

Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method

Abstract: This article examines the function of documents as a data source in qualitative research and discusses document analysis procedure in the context of actual research experiences. Targeted to research novices, the article takes a nuts‐and‐bolts approach to document analysis. It describes the nature and forms of documents, outlines the advantages and limitations of document analysis, and offers specific examples of the use of documents in the research process. The application of document analysis to a grounded theory study is illustrated.

The archaeology of knowledge

Abstract: We may not be able to make you love reading, but archaeology of knowledge will lead you to love reading starting from now. Book is the window to open the new world. The world that you want is in the better stage and level. World will always guide you to even the prestige stage of the life. You know, this is some of how reading will give you the kindness. In this case, more books you read more knowledge you know, but it can mean also the bore is full.