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Aims: This paper reports phase one of a two-part study in a New South Wales area health service, which aimed to evaluate the grading system for clinical nurse consultants., Background: Since its inception in 1986, the role and scope of practice of clinical nurse consultants in New South Wales has been viewed with differing expectations leading to role conflict from the nurse consultants themselves and others in health care including managers and other clinicians., Method: A quantitative approach was used for this study. A survey comprising of open and closed questions was mailed to all clinical nurse consultants (n = 42) employed in the area., Results: The data presented suggest that ambiguity continues about the role, the scope and the differences within the grading system of clinical nurse consultants., Conclusions: Clinical nurse consultants need leadership training and support from their managers to fulfil their role. More work is required to clarify the role of clinical nurse consultants.

Background: A review of popular literature reveals a constant message about the healing power of 'being positive'. While there are studies that have examined the link between psychosocial factors such as attitude and cancer survival, very little has been reported about the perceptions of patients and nurses on the meaning of 'being positive'., Aim: To explore the meaning of 'being positive' for patients undergoing cancer treatment and for nurses who care for them., Methods: A qualitative, descriptive approach within the paradigm of constructivist inquiry was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a self-selected convenience sample of 11 patients and eight nurses. The interviews addressed the following key concepts: definitions of 'being positive' and being negative; how these attributes are manifest in cancer patients; and factors influencing patient attitudes., Findings: Patients defined 'being positive' as maintaining some sort of normality without letting cancer have a detrimental effect on daily living. Nurses identified hope, acceptance, fighting spirit and looking on the bright side as definitions of 'being positive'. Nurses and patients identified environment and support of family, friends and health professionals as factors that influence patient attitudes. Patients also identified other peoples' attitudes as important., Conclusions: 'Being positive' must be acknowledged as central to being able to cope with cancer and its treatment. The ability of nurses to care for patients with cancer and help them to remain positive will be improved if they develop a better understanding of the meaning of 'being positive' for patients, and how other peoples' attitudes affect their state of mind.