Congratulations to editorial team.

Each month I took forward to receiving and reading my copy of Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand. I am always impressed with the quality of the articles and, as each month goes by, I think I must write and pass some comment, so here goes.

The June 2009 had a number of interesting articles. Firstly, there was the brief article on "Where to for RN scope of practice?" (p6). At last, we seem to be moving to redefining the scope of practice to reflect the changing needs in the delivery of health care in the 21st century. As we do this, Let's remember we are nurses providing nursing care across a range of clinical areas. Let's focus on and embrace nursing and not pick up the rotes of other health professionals, such as doctors, just because there is a shortage.

Secondly, the article on "EN's - is the debate nearly over?" (p11). Yes, there has been much turbulence over the last ten years about the role and scope of practice of enrolled nurses (ENs) and their training. It is good to know the debate may be coming to an end and that training institutions can begin to prepare for the education and preparation of a second-level nurse. However, I think we should take cognisance of Jenny Carryer's comments that, as care shifts "inexorably" into the community, hospitals will become higher and higher in acuity. Perhaps we should be educating second-level nurses to care for people in the community. Let us not forget that our current ENs and registered obstetric nurses provide a valuable contribution to the nursing workforce now.

Thirdly, I would like to comment on the work done by Erica Miller, a registered nurse working in operating theatres. Erica has written an excellent paper [Reducing the impact of preoperative fasting on patients, pp16-18] identifying how evidence-based research can be used to develop best practice guidelines. But sadly, for whatever reason, best practice guidelines are so often not followed. The case study she presents epitomises what can happen when best practice guidelines are not followed. Well done Erica.

My final comment relates to Janine Snape sharing the story of the tragedy that inspired her to become the nurse she always wanted to be when she was a child [Tragedy a source of inspiration, p19]. Janine's story was very moving. Not only her self disclosure of what she and her family experienced following a stillbirth, but, most of all her journey to recovery and achieving one of her goals - to be a nurse. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope others were as moved as I was.

Finally, I must congratulate all the contributors for their articles and the editorial committee for their work in bringing about such an interesting journal. Well done team.

Barry Twydle, RN, Auckland