The purpose of this interpretive study is to describe the experience of Chinese nurses studying abroad. Twenty-three nurses living in Taiwan, who had studied in the United States for university degrees, were interviewed in 1990. A central process was "Becoming gold-plated." The first major theme was "Enormous pressure and sacrifice," with the subthemes of "Self-doubt," "Language difficulties," "Isolation and loneliness," and "Separation and guilt." The second major theme was "Transformed self," with subthemes of "High aspiration" and "New perspective on life." In spite of the hardships of study abroad, Chinese nurses felt pride in their accomplishment and self-respect for the knowledge and sophistication they gained.

This was a phenomenological investigation undertaken to understand the experience of waning fertility. Twenty-five women were interviewed. They ranged in age from 40 to 50 years and represented diverse socioeconomic, educational, ethnic, and fertility backgrounds. A synthesis of the interviews lead to calling the central process of the study Looking Forward, Looking Back. These words were chosen because of the temporal references that pervaded the interviews. Although our initial question "Do you think you are still fertile?" positioned the women in the present, they quickly answered with "Yes, but...." Then, the participants went on to extend their answers by sharing both their past experiences regarding their fertility and also their future plans. These extended answers gave us the remaining main themes of the study: Reflecting on Childbearing Years, Doing a Midlife Review, and Anticipating Getting Older.

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This article presents a review of the literature on post-tubal sterilization syndrome. Although studies have shortcomings they suggest the majority of women undergoing tubal sterilization do not experience changes in menstrual patterns after the procedure, but a minority do. Suggestions are made for further research, conducted from a nursing perspective. Implications for practice are suggested, given the tentative information on post-tubal sterilization syndrome.

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