Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have supported me during the past three years while I undertook this degree in general nursing. I would like to thank my family for their constant support and their ceaseless encouragement. I am also grateful to my friends who have spurred me on and inspired me throughout the years. Finally, a special thank to my dear friends Andy McPherson and Indira Antonsson who have been of great help while writing this dissertation