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Quality of health care is the degree of the most optimal degree of health outcomes by delivery of effective, efficient and cost‐benefit professional health services to people and communities. As nurses are the largest groups among health care professionals and are legally liable and morally responsible for their care, thus their perspective on quality of nursing care is important. The purpose of this qualitative study is “to define and describe quality from the perspective of nursing experts and clinical nurses”.

In this paper data were collected in two phases (ten individual interviews and five focus group discussions). A total of 44 clinical nurses and ten nursing experts participated through a purposeful sampling frame. Data analysis was conducted by latent content analysis to achieve a definition of nursing care quality.

The findings in this paper show that, according to similarities and differences between nursing experts' and clinical nurses' perspectives on quality, the final definition is “delivery of safety care based on nursing standards which eventuates in patient satisfaction”. Findings reveal that in nurses' perspectives on quality definition two important aspects have been mostly considered: “standard of care” and “patient satisfaction”. Moreover, both participant groups have emphasized the benefits of collaborative work in health care (teamwork). Further in this study, organizational and socio‐cultural roles in delivering quality nursing care have been mentioned such as staffing, budget, leadership, and social perspectives about nursing as a highly educated profession.

The paper offers an overview of nurses' perspectives of quality of nursing care in Iran.

Concerns of nursing literature today reflect the aspirations and changing character of the profession as it seeks to:

There is increasing evidence in the literature that patient outcome is strongly linked to the quality of nursing care. In practice, the process of measuring the quality of nursing care is complex and multifaceted as it is dependent not only on the skills and practices of the individual nurse, but also on the professional and organisational structure that is practised within. The expert panel concept was developed to address clinical standards and practice at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. The Nursing Expert Panel's purpose was to evaluate nursing practice, identify practice deficits, highlight areas of clinical innovation and excellence, and make recommendations where appropriate to improve patient outcome. The aim of this paper is to investigate this.

A pilot programme to evaluate eight clinical areas was developed and implemented. The key areas of evaluation included clinical care as well as the managerial and professional practices that support patient care. The Expert Panel, consisting of predominantly nursing staff, was recruited from within the organisation. During the evaluation, the panel collected qualitative and quantitative data using a variety of data collection tools. Data were then analysed and recommendations developed.

Five common themes of practice deficit were identified during the pilot period and the development of strategies for practice improvement is in progress.

Following successful implementation of the pilot phase, the Nursing Expert Panel process is now being implemented across the organisation. With ongoing evaluation and improvement of the Expert Panel Process, this quality initiative will become the foundation of nursing standards and practice evaluation at this organisation.

The importance of “information literacy” in the education of nursing students continues to increase. In response, partnerships between nursing faculty and librarians are developing. The shortage of nurses and the rapid changes in information technology have created opportunities for librarians to educate nursing faculty and students about locating information, evaluating resources, and managing information. The type of instruction and support needed varies, depending on the level of the nursing student. Become a partner with the nursing faculty by attending meetings, having an office in the college of nursing, participating in social networking, and exploring ways in which a librarian can provide assistance. These partnerships provide benefits to nursing programs, nursing faculty and librarians.

The part played by quality assurance and the setting of standards in enhancing the motivation of nurses is described. The involvement of nurses themselves in developing “professional practice” has played a key role in reducing sickness, absence and turnover rates.

In this second part of a paper examining the problem of nursing shortages in the health profession in Canada, the author draws on nursing reports from three provinces, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, to identify how professional associations are dealing with the nursing shortage. Although education is seen as a major key to the nursing dilemma, the author notes that Canadian nurses are already exceedingly well educated. Neither more education nor public relation campaigns have been able to overcome the systemic problems facing the nursing profession today. If there is a solution, it lies in a more integrative approach, where structural issues, value issues, and even legal issues related to statute can be addressed. The author believes that the issue of nursing shortages cannot be resolved without a substantial degree of empowerment and autonomy for the profession.

Forensic nursing is a fast‐developing branch of psychiatric nursing and now at an international level covers many aspects of practice. As its field of study develops to incorporate working with vicyims, survivors and offenders, it becomes increasingly important to establish the evidence base for the practice areas. This paper outlines these developing areas and highlights the expansive nature when see from an international perspective.

Outlines the approach of the Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee to “organizing” nursing and midwifery audit in Wales. Describes the strategy developed by the Committee and reports progress on the implementation plan. The strategy identifies a philosophy for the development of nursing audit and midwifery, setting out the principles for underpinning the process, the key strategic objectives, and the implementation plan. The focus is on education and preparation for audit, the acquisition of skills necessary to carry out audit, and the provision of support mechanisms for those involved in developmental activity. Describes the implementation plan which includes audit facilitators, education and training programmes, audit demonstration sites, a resource centre, and monitoring and evaluation methods. Proposes the use of a systematic strategic approach to the development of clinical audit.

Discusses the way forward for the nursing professions in the last decade of the twentieth century. Notes that Government health policy has stated the need for more nursing resources in the future in the community, together with extended nursing roles for those in a hospital environment. Explores the changing focus of nursing and comments on the recognition that nursing′s valuable and unique contribution to health is reflected in the Government′s health strategies. Discusses the place of Project 2000 as well as the role of nursing within the framework of the Patient′s Charter.