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Autoethnography combines personal experiences with cultural analysis, emerging as a response to the limitations of traditional ethnography. This review aimed to explore, describe, and delineate the utilization of autoethnography by nurses published in peer-reviewed journals.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze online discussions about parental leave in relation to the work lives and private lives of new fathers. A netnographic study of nearly 100 discussion threads from a freely accessible online forum for fathers was conducted. Data were coded, sorted, and categorized by qualitative similarities and differences. The results of the study indicate that new fathers seek Internet forums to discuss work-related topics. Parental leave can provoke worries and anxiety related to management and co-worker attitudes which can create concern that they should be back at work. The results are presented in two categories: (a) attitudes expressed by employers and colleagues and (b) leaving work but longing to be back. The phenomenon of parental leave for fathers is more complex than simply “for” or “against” attitudes. Fathers can use Internet forums to discuss their experiences, fears, and anxiety and provide reasonable accommodations for both work and family life.

In this theory article, we discuss the virtual dimensions of the human, the avatar, in relation to ontological assumptions within nursing science. Assumptions in nursing science promote a ‘wholistic’ perspective of the human in terms of body, mind and spirit in relation to the environment. However, due to the enhanced technological development and the invention of cyberspace, we pose the critical question of whether the virtual dimension of identity really implicates a ‘wholistic’ view of human kindness or if this has been neglected. Furthermore, we suggest an ontological understanding that grasps new dimensions of humanity. In the article, we discuss the virtual dimensions of the human in relation to ontological assumptions within nursing science under the three headings of The techno-self and virtual identities, Techno-therapy and cyber nursing, and Becoming homo technicus. Due to these reflections, this article contributes to the debate on a postmodern understanding of human living conditions in society. We suggest further theoretical discussions to explore the conceptual and theoretical levels of nursing knowledge as new realities of human existence are introduced in the field. The transition into the digital age of the Internet, with the existence of cyborgs and avatars, is an ontological and epistemological challenge for nursing science that needs to be further investigated.

Aim The aim was to identify how ethical issues have been handled in theses written by undergraduate students in the field of nursing.Background The act of gathering information online to become an ‘expert’ by locating useful advice for oneself – and others – is a fairly new phenomenon. How virtual caring and nursing can contribute to people’s health as a resource is growing as an area of interest within the field of caring sciences.Methods A qualitative content analysis of 21bachelor theses in nursing science was conducted. The analysis focused on how ethical issues concerning gathering data in cyberspace were handled.Findings The results show that the students chose very complex health issues when gathering data in cyberspace. The results reveal asymmetries between the researcher and subjects behind the data (the bloggers), both in terms of knowledge as well as in relation to the resources available to them.Conclusions There is a need to discuss cyberspace as a source of data, including ethical, ontological, and epistemological issues. Based on the findings, we provide a tentative outline of how data from cyberspace can be used by nursing researchers and instructors at all levels in the field.

Introduction: This study addresses self-injury among patients receiving care in forensic psychiatry.Background: Self-injury is common among patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder with elements of depression and schizophrenia. Self-injury affects both the patient as well as their surroundings.Objective: To describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients with self-injurious behavior in forensic psychiatric care.Method: A qualitative approach was applied. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight nurses. The data were thereafter analysed with an inductive and manifest content analysis.Results: The results are presented according to two categories: ‘caring that evokes emotions' and ‘caring that requires teamwork’.Discussion: In the present study, we demonstrate a duplicitous problem in which carers are divided over what is expected of them as responsible and professional caregivers and their perceived lack of skills and their frustration.Conclusion: Viewing self-injury as a complex expression of mental illness, we recommend that further research is needed in this area — especially in the forensic psychiatric care context, where long term health care relationships are involved.