Abstract This paper presents a project proposal which aims to study racial, ethnic and cultural intolerance in armynursingfacilities in Canada. The writer discusses how he would go about conducting his research and discusses the type of questionnaire that he would use. It briefly looks at the reasons why this study is important and describes its budget and time-line. The writer concludes by discussing why he is the appropriate candidate to conduct the research.
From the Paper "This writer is turning to the Social Sciences and Research Council of Canada because there will undoubtedly be significant travel expenses involved. Most notably, there are no military hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area and several of the nurses to whom I have already spoken indicated that they would be more comfortable with a "face-to-day" interview than with merely answering the queries via questionnaire. Additionally, the expenses incurred from distributing the questionnaire and from computing the results will have to borne by this writer alone. Because of the Council's commitment to academic excellence and to truth-seeking in all areas of Canadian society, I am turning to your organization for support in seeing to it that this important matter is investigated."
Abstract This proposal explores the opportunities for currently raising productivity in three areas of a private nursing home, with the recommendations reached here intended to guide a program for refining nursing care in the extended care facility. The paper provides options intended to assist nursingfacilities in finding ways to improve nursing productivity and recommends in closing that the system user, that is, the patient, should always be considered when bringing about changes to the nursing organization.
From the Paper "The first proposal for the improvement of productivity would be a systems map designed to help streamline and monitor admissions into the home. The process would initially develop to gain insight into the process that supports the patient pathway into the nursing home, from a patient and a healthcare provider's perspective. Many delayed admissions into nursing home care result from poor co-ordination between health and social care agencies. There are complex reasons for this lack of co-ordination, including incompatible administrative systems, a lack of common geographical boundaries and different funding and accountability arrangements. Effective admissions processes are dependent on successful multidisciplinary team-working between health and social care professionals using a systems approach which recognizes the contribution that all partners make to the delivery of high quality care."
This essay describes how occupational justice and occupational therapy can help the elderly reduce their dependency on others and improve their quality of life.
Abstract This paper first discusses occupational justice and defines it as giving equal opportunities and resources to enable people to pursue meaningful occupations. The paper then gives a brief overview of the elderly in nursing homes and gives corresponding statistical data. Next, the paper discusses data conducted on occupational therapy and examines how it benefits and improves the lives of the elderly in nursing homes.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Occupational Justice
Elderly in NursingFacility Occupational Therapy
Conclusion
From the Paper "Statistical reports in 1995 revealed that at least 4% of the population aged 65 years and above stayed in nursing facilities (Meiner & Lueckenotte, 2005). However, the quality of life of the elderly in nursing homes varies widely. While accounts of kind, compassionate care are common, there are also reports of inhumane, insensitive treatment of inmates, as well as incidents of physical and mental abuse. Paradoxically, the kind of environment in nursing homes where everything is taken care of for the elderly inmates can be counterproductive. The elderly inmates tend to lose control of their lives and their activity level and psychological well-being decreases (Hess & Markson, 1990.)"
Tags: aging nursing therapy, american occupational therapy association, health elderly
Abstract This paper tells why the author believes she would be an excellent candidate for nursing school. The author answers questions about her work experience, community service and any leadership roles she has had and talks about the author's goals as a member of the health care team in the nursing profession.
From the Paper "I have been a part of nursing care for as long as I can remember, as a member of a family who commits its life to creating and serving people in it business, nursing care facilities. I understand the inner workings of the business, including the importance of documentation and patient care as well as cost benefits issues, sometimes not understood by all staff. With this experience I have developed a clear understanding of the overall needs of both patients and an evolving health care industry, something I hope to continue to be a part of in the long term."
Abstract The following discussion evaluates various issues related to long term care within today's society. It is necessary to consider that there are a number of important indicators of performance and population that must be addressed relative to the offerings provided by long term care facilities. Society must recognize the importance of the aging population in reference to these facilities.
From the Paper "Long term care facilities often comprise many different conflicts of interest and in the provision of care for patients that is provided by professional nurses. A wide body of research exists regarding these issues, which provides a valuable contribution to this important aspect of the healthcare system in today's society. With the increased life expectancy of the population and the ever-growing baby boomer generation, it is necessary to understand the issues facing the long term care industry due to increased interest in these facilities. An article by Beattle describes the provision of personalized care within long term care facilities, which is compromised by reduced staffing levels and increased population numbers over time."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses that minimum nurse-to-patient ratios represent the minimal amount of nurses required to care for the maximum number of patients, without compromising patient or nurse safety. The writer points out that both the public and physicians rank nurse under-staffing as one of the most serious threats to patient safety. The writer notes that nurse safety advocates are beginning to question how inadequate ratios impact job satisfaction and the ability of nursing staff to improve quality of care. While a problem at all healthcare facilities, the issue is even larger at nursing homes where minimum staffing ratios are very low. The writer concludes that much research is in progress to help nurses maintain a safe environment to practice and to determine how to adequately define what nurse-to-patient ratios should be.
From the Paper "A history of nurse staffing and patient outcomes dates as far back as a study by Moses and Mosteller. They found nurse staffing among the significant determinants of mortality. Later, publicly available Medicare data for U.S. hospitals generated more studies on the factors related to mortality. Authors of these studies reported that nurse staffing was significantly related to mortality. Aiken, Clarke, Sloane, Sochalski, and Silber produced the first study to specifically quantify the impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on death rates. They reported that reducing the number of patients that a registered nurse takes care of results in better patient outcomes. A reduction in mortality rates and infections were among the findings. Aiken, Sochalski, and Lake demonstrated that nursing presence, whether measured as RN ratios or as RN hours relative to other nursing personnel hours, is significantly correlated to mortality. Adequate staffing levels allow nurses time to make comprehensive patient assessments, attend to routine nursing duties and effectively respond to emergencies. Specifically, Aiken, Clarke, Sloane, Sochalski, and Silber found that each additional patient assigned to a nurse resulted in a 7% increase in the likelihood of the patient dying within 30 days of admission to the hospital."
Abstract In this paper, the author presents and analyzes a study in which the the attrition rates of new practical nurse recruits were examined. Through the research, the author hopes to identify the failings or shortcomings of practical nurse training. The study's goal is to ultimately reduce the attrition rates by identifying the factors allowing individuals to fail the Practical Nurse Program. Using the data, the practical nurse training program would be improved, thereby reducing the attrition rate.
Outline:
Chapter 1 - Definition of the Problem
Problem Statement
Research Objective
Hypothesis
Chapter 2 - Literature Review
Introduction
Major Research
Chapter 3
Methodology
Data Collection
Data Analysis and Synthesis
Bibliography
From the Paper "The methodology of this research is one that is qualitative in nature. The research is one that will use the qualitative method in testing with cases and open problems as to the effectiveness of the training provided to the practical nurse group through case and open problems through direct observations of that which has been taught in which observation is through the structured method specifically work-based assessment. Work-based research is highly effective when clear learning outcomes are in place."
Abstract This paper relates that nurses face more than intense political, economic and stress related events in their working environments. Today's healthcare professionals also are at risk for physical injury, institutionally contracted disease and disability associated with their employment and commitment to patient care. The author examines primary and secondary evidence and concludes that stress, physical risks, poor rewards, violence and lack of communications are the leading factors pushing nurses to other professions. The paper suggests that these problems can be rectified with networking, fair wages, safety training, continued education and the continued validation and support of nursing staff in hospitals and nursingfacilities.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Methodology
Literature Review
The Emotional and Political Environment
Physical Dynamics of Nurse's Working Environments
Disease Risk
Physical Injury
Improving the Working Environment for Nurses Physical Risks
Political Dynamics
Psychological Factors
Management Techniques
Discussion and Conclusions
From the Paper "Frings (2001) believes that networking among employees, management, and the community is the key to reducing stress. By providing extra resources and reducing pressure in employees and clearly recognizing the stress of workers today's healthcare organizations can create a positive working environment that promotes commitment. However, it appears that it is the basic shortage of workers that creates stress and burnout and as Raske (2002) puts it nothing is going to improve until today's healthcare facilities are willing to spend the funds necessary to hire sufficient staff and create a positive working environment."
Abstract This paper discusses The Quality of Nursing Care Act of 2004 and the Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2005, which have been proposed as legislation to specifically address the issue of short staffing of nurses in health care facilities and the elements related to the profession that have led to this crisis. The paper suggests that the current crisis is due to a severe decrease in the wages that are paid to professional nurses, inadequate equipment available to perform the job and hours that far exceed the expectations of other employees.
From the Paper "The Quality of Nursing Care Act of 2004 and the Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2005 have been proposed as legislation to specifically address the issue of short staffing of nurses in health care facilities, and the elements related to the profession that have led to this crisis. It has been indicated by Clark and Clark (2003) that the current crisis is due to a severe decrease in the wages that are paid to professional nurses, inadequate equipment available to perform the job, and hours that far exceed the expectations of other employees. However, these issues do not affect only one segment of the nursing population, but the entire scope of nursing professions throughout the country. "
Abstract This paper discusses Imogene King's well-known theory, which relates the actual role that nurses should play in a health/medical environments, such as hospitals, clinics and specialized health care facilities. Specifically, the paper describes the three major themes of her theory: an open systems framework as the foundation for goal attainment, the practice of nursing as a major entity within the health care system and an emphasis on the interpersonal processes of professional nursing. The paper stresses that each of these three systems identifies human beings as the foundational element in any nursing system.
From the Paper "In 1981, Imogene King, writing in A Theory for Nursing: Systems, Concepts, Process, created her middle range Theory of Goal Attainment based upon the above interacting framework system. This theory, founded the principle of the nature of nursing, contains three specific criteria--philosophical assumptions, a clear definition and identification of the concepts, and the relationship between propositional statements and models. Basically speaking, this Theory of Goal Attainment revolves around the following observation made by King in 1995."
Tags: interacting research environment, goal attainment, nurse/patient interactions
Abstract This paper discusses how nursing in relation to the Veteran's Administration (VA) Hospitals across the United States has changed throughout the years. It explores how it was especially affected by the soldiers that returned following the Vietnam War. The author explains that following the Vietnam War many nurses in VA facilities were given greater responsibilities to patients because of the overwhelming number of veterans that required treatment.
From the Paper "Nursing in relation to the Veteran's Administration (VA) Hospitals across the United States has changed throughout the years, and was most especially affected by the soldiers that returned following the Vietnam War ("VA Nursing Service", 2004). Following the Vietnam War many nurses in VA facilities were given greater responsibilities to patients because of the overwhelming number of veterans that required treatment. Advanced practice nurses were required to become specialist in many new fields because of the special needs of these soldiers. Additionally, most nurses became primary care givers, offering diagnosis and treatment for patients because of a lack of physicians within the system ("VA Nursing Service", 2004). It was evident, therefore, that nursing was evolving in new directions within the VA hospitals, and that nursing was becoming a more intricate part of the ..."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of nursing interventions. The paper focuses on the nursing interventions of spiritual assessment and therapeutic communication. In addition, the paper looks at how these interventions can support a person suffering from multiple sclerosis.
From the Paper "This type of intervention supports the person suffering by indicating the nurse understands their suffering and their pain, and that they can help them be more comfortable and increase their well-being. While intervention may not make a difference in their actual physical disease, it can make a patient more comfortable, more satisfied, and more at peace with themselves and their circumstances. Patient satisfaction is extremely important for overall patient health and in return visits for continued health care. Studies indicate if patients are dissatisfied or unhappy with their care, they may forego visits or visit another practitioner (Wrench & Booth-Butterfield, 2003). In addition, spiritual intervention can help the sufferers' family cope with the disease and help them give adequate care to the patient at home, which is often much more comfortable for the patient and family and adds to the overall well-being of everyone involved."
Tags: health, care, facilities, chronic, illnesses, ms, isolation, hopelessness, vulnerability, loss, pain, fear
Abstract This paper discusses risk management in the health care facility. The paper further discusses the issue of infant circumcision being performed on the wrong patient, and provides a history as to the reasons that this procedure is commonplace in America. The paper also discusses elements of a risk management plan for neonatal units, and the health care staff regaining trust between the staff and the patient.
From the Paper "Risk Management Issues in Nursing Modern health care facilities are consistently at risk of complications or medical mistakes, especially when there is a significant degree of short staffing, as well as an overcrowded patient population. In the infant unit of most hospitals that can often be the case, with very few nurses available per shift to care for the needs of newborns. Yet, when proper risk management plans are implemented in the facility medical errors can be at a minimum, and the issue of the quality of care for infants can be met relating to any procedure. David Gollaher (1994) contends that neonatal circumcision has become commonplace in the United States. Since the late 1800s the procedure has become routine in American hospitals following birth, and in this country it would appear rare for the procedure to not be performed (p. 6)."
Abstract This paper discusses the role the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers plays in the transformation of the Army in relation to the objective force element of the transformation process. The paper discusses the reasons why the Army is being restructured as well as the objective of the transformation.
Abstract This paper looks at the situation of ethical dilemmas in the U.S. army, and how it affects army recruiting. It explores how ethics typically involves the choice between an ethical and a non-ethical situation, and how the army has elected to not promote such ideals in army recruiting, as this may discourage the number of recruits. The paper illustrates this through current pertinent examples.
From the Paper "With all of the current news focus on the war in Iraq, the converge between ethics and war actions has been made evident to the American public, especially with recent information regarding U.S. soldiers actions towards detainees at Guantanamo Bay. This raises questions regarding how much the army should consider situations containing ethical dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas involve considering a conflict between moral imperatives. Typically, this necessitates a choice between a moral or ethical response and a non-ethical alternative. In many cases, ethical dilemmas are highly difficult as the non-ethical conclusion is often paired with other incentives. If a nation's army does not consider such ethics, major atrocities, genocides, torture, among other results, may occur. "
