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Due to excessive rainfall in June of 2013, several rivers located in and near the City of Calgary, Canada experienced significant flooding events. These events caused severe damage to infrastructure throughout the city, precipitating a renewed interest in flood control and mitigation strategies for the area. A major potential strategy involves partial diversion of Elbow River flood water to the proposed Springbank Off-Stream Storage Reservoir. A large scale physical model study was conducted to optimize and validate the design of a portion of the new project. The goals of the physical model were to investigate diversion system behaviors such as flow rates, water levels, sediment transport and, debris accumulation, and optimize the design of new flow control structures to be constructed on the Elbow River. In order to accurately represent the behavior of debris within the system due to flooding, large woody debris created from natural sources was utilized in the physical model and its performance was compared to that of debris of the same size fabricated from pressed cylindrical wood dowels. In addition to comparing the performance of these two debris types, the impact of root wads on debris damming was also investigated. Significant differences in damming behavior was shown to exist between the natural debris and the fabricated debris, while the impact of root wad on damming affected the dam structure and formation. The results of this experiment indicate that natural debris is preferred for studies involving debris accumulation.

"There is nothing more that can be done" is a phrase that may occasionally cross the minds of oncology nurses. This paper reports on the actions of exemplary oncology nurses who were faced with such situations where their colleagues gave up or turned away. The research question, "What actions do exemplary clinical oncology nurses (RNs) undertake in patient-care situations where further nursing interventions seem futile?" prefaced data collection via a secure website where 14 Canadian clinical oncology registered nurses (RNs) provided narratives documenting their actions. Thematic analysis utilized QRS NVivo 10 software and hand coding. Four themes were generated from data analysis: advocacy, not giving up, genuine presence, and moral courage. Implications for practice and future research are provided.

Compassion fatigue (CF) is "debilitating weariness brought about by repetitive, empathic responses to the pain and suffering of others" (LaRowe, 2005, p. 21). The work performed by oncology nurses, and the experiences of the people they care for, place oncology nurses at high risk for CF (Pierce et al., 2007; Ferrell & Coyle, 2008). Thus oncology nurses were chosen as the study focus. This paper details a descriptive exploratory qualitative research study that investigated the experience of CF in Canadian clinical oncology registered nurses (RNs). A conceptual stress process model by Aneshensel, Pearlin, Mullan, Zarit, and Whitlatch (1995) that considers caregivers' stress in four domains provided the study framework (see Figure 1). Nineteen study participants were recruited through an advertisement in the Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal (CONJ). The advertisement directed potential participants to a university-based online website developed for this study. Participants completed a questionnaire and wrote a narrative describing an experience with CF and submitted these through the secure research website. Data were analyzed thematically. Five themes include: defining CF, causes of CF, factors that worsen CF, factors that lessen CF, and outcomes of CF. Participants had limited knowledge about CF, about lack of external support, and that insufficient time to provide high quality, care may precipitate CF. The gap between quality of care nurses wanted to provide and what they were able to do, compounded by coexisting physical and emotional stress, worsened CF. CF was lessened by colleague support, work-life balance, connecting with others, acknowledgement, and maturity and experience. Outcomes of CF included profound fatigue of mind and body, negative effects on personal relationships, and considering leaving the specialty. Recommendations that may enhance oncology nurse well-being are provided.

The goal of this phenomenological study was to explore what within the lived experiences of exemplary oncology nurses facilitates the avoidance of compassion fatigue. A purposive sample of seven oncology nurses (RNs) who were identified by their colleagues as exemplary caregivers was recruited. Data were collected through semi-structured conversations that were subsequently transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed for recurring themes using three points of reference: recurrence of ideas, repetition of ideas, and forcefulness with which ideas were expressed (Owen, 1984). Findings focus on three themes: moments of connection, making moments matter, and energizing moments. Discussion highlights practical implications for clinical nurses, nurse educators, and health care administrators.

This paper examines the relationship between exemplary oncology nursing practice and professional fulfillment. What inspires nurses to choose oncology and, subsequently, what gives them impetus to continue in this field? To answer this question, oncology nurses were invited to recall moments in their careers when they were satisfied that they had chosen the "right" career. Data, in narrative form, were collected through an online research technique. Submissions were analysed using three approaches, narrative analysis (Priest, Roberts, & Woods, 2003), poetic interpretation (van Manen, 1990) and photovoice (Woolrych, 2004). Findings reveal that oncology nurses who provide excellent care, and make strong connections with their patients, are also usually very satisfied with their careers. Specifically, nurses provide exemplary care and report attaining professional fulfillment when they achieve connection with those in their care by affirming value and sharing humour. Second, caregivers feel they are making a difference when they "see patients through" the care trajectory. Nurses accomplish this in part by helping people live on, individualizing care, enabling hope, and helping individuals find meaning. It is anticipated that this paper will reawaken memories of similar experiences in caregivers, thus enhancing confidence, self-esteem and energy and reminding nurses that they do unquestionably leave an imprint.

In this paper selected findings of a qualitative study of eight exemplary oncology nurses are presented. The focus is on the views of these nurses about key elements of nursing practice, namely, the nature of health, human beings, nurse-patient relationships, nursing care, and the nursing environment. In the first part of the paper, the research methodology used in the study is outlined. Subsequently, the oncology nurses' beliefs about the five central components of nursing practice are described and related to Jean Watson's theory of nursing.