Scientific Management Essay Example for Free

Scientific Management Essay Scientific Management was a new form of management that evolved in the late 1800’s that was based on a number of principles that analyzed the activities of individuals, which in turn, optimized efficiency and productivity. In this essay I will discuss the major advances that were pioneered by Frederick Winslow Taylor, Henry Gantt and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Frederick Winslow Taylor was thought of as the most influential business guru of the twentieth century. 154) Taylor was a well -educated man that started his work as a laborer and quickly moved up to a chief engineer at Midvale Steel Company. Through his various positions and experience within this company he discovered many problems that were apparent between management and laborer. His first attempt in his creation of Scientific Management was to combat a process called â€Å"soldiering†. Taylor observed how the process of soldering led to low production because workers had intentionally worked slow, while making management believe they were working faster. Taylor identified two types of soldiering that workers practiced: natural and systematic. Natural soldiering was referred to as the â€Å"the natural instinct and tendency of men to take it easy. † Managers tried to overcome natural soldiering by forcing workers to be more productive. (123) Systematic soldiering was when workers all together would reason with one another to work slower. Taylor believed that workers systematically soldiered because of three main reasons. First, if workers completed their jobs faster, they believed they would be laid off. Secondly, when workers were paid by piece rate, if their production increased, they believed management would cut the piece rate requiring them to do more work for the same amount of pay they were receiving at the time. Finally, workers were accustomed to old work habits that were handed down from generation to generation. (124) Taylor believed that systematic soldiering posed more concerns than natural soldering. He thought that the problems arose because of management’s lack of responsibility to create proper jobs that offered good incentives. Taylor knew that a new industrial system would need to be created to correct the problems that were evident with management and laborer. Time Studies Taylor set out to develop a new system in an attempt to overcome the process of soldiering. Taylor believed he could determine how each job could be accomplished most efficiently and then establish performance standards based on his findings. (125) The first step in his system was defined as time studies, which was the beginning of Scientific Management. Taylor believed that he could overcome soldiering by determining what workers ought to be able to achieve with equipment and materials by scientifically setting performance standards. According to the authors of The Evolution of Management Thought â€Å"Taylor used a stop watch, weight scale and tape to literally measure the distances that workers and materials traveled. † (125) From his findings, Taylor discovered that workers used too much effort and materials to accomplish their tasks and believed this was mainly due to improper management. Taylor classified his time studies into two phases: analysis and synthesis. Analysis meant that each job was broken down into movements then the movement was described and recorded along with enough time allowed for unavoidable delays. Synthesis was all the movements in the correct sequence to determine the time and exact method for performing a job. (126)Taylor’s time studies created improvements in all elements that surround a job, careful examination of individuals at work led to a more efficient approach to perform tasks which ultimately reduced effort and increased production. Improved Incentives Taylor noticed that the traditional incentives for workers were discouraged in more ways than one. Taylor believed that management needed to create new incentive rates. Profit sharing and the old ways of paying positions instead of men, seemed to be inefficient methods. Taylor devised a three part plan that improved incentives which consisted of using time studies to set standards and pay rates, a differential piecework system that paid employees a higher rate per piece if they finished their work faster than specified, and lastly, paying the men instead of paying the positions. He believed that performance standards should be set before piece rates and rest period should be given more often to decrease fatique. Additionally, Taylor saw a need for a mutuality of interests between manager and worker and devised a system that would benefit both sides. The belief held by people was that higher wages led to higher costs. In turn, Taylor proved that higher wages would lead to lower costs and increased production with less effort. Employers didn’t have to pay low wages in order to gain momentum in the industry. Taylor also believed that some people are better suited for a position based on their will and ambition; he referred to these people as â€Å"first class workers. † Taylor urged that performance standards should be based on a first class workers pace and believed that management was responsible for identifying these types of workers. Throughout the years people assumed that production was increased by people working longer and harder, but the truth was, production increased if people worked smarter not harder. People used their resources more wisely and learned the most efficient way to complete a job. Task Management System Taylor’s task management system utilized the time studies to dictate how long a task should take to be completed and used careful planning with detailed written instructions to assign tasks to workers. Taylor thought to motivate workers based on how long it took them to complete their job. The workers that finished their job in the allotted time received higher wages compared to those who did not. Management was aided in their tasks by a new term Taylor referred to as â€Å"functional foremanship†. Taylor felt that managers should have certain qualities in order for them to be efficient supervisors which include special and technical knowledge, tact, brains, energy, common sense and good health. Taylor used this selection process to determine what tasks managers should perform. This new system of planned performance allowed each person to be in charge of a different responsibility. Managers skills were specialized which resulted in a decrease in time it took to recruit and hire people who may not be a good fit. This system dramatically changed the way tasks were planned, before this time workplace layout determined how tasks were performed. Taylor went on to put his ideas into writing with a book called The Principles of Scientific Management. This book was a significant advance of the times and made Taylor a national hero in just twenty four hours. His findings that were released in this book, sparked much controversy, but ultimately gained popularity. His book was translated into many different languages just two years after the publication. (141) Taylor was credited for leading the world towards efficiency in more ways than one. Henry Gantt There were many people who followed Taylor’s scientific approach to management thought. One of these followers that had contributed greatly to management thought was Henry Gantt. Gantt was a man that recognized the demands of the world and knew he could have a better chance at making it in life by becoming educated. He obtained a mechanical engineer degree and began his work at the Midvale Steel Company alongside of Frederick Taylor. After working with Taylor, Gantt turned out to be strongly influenced by his ideas about how to manage industry. Gantt became one of Taylor’s leading disciples and moved on to create his own ways to improve management methods and make an industry more efficient. Like Taylor, Gantt knew that there was a need for a mutuality of interest between management and worker. Gantt believed that this theory started with the worker, he argued that the workingman was the most important element in management. (159) He urged that a successful atmosphere in industry was eminent when the employer has the best worker for the position and the worker believes his work is sold at the highest price. Task and Bonus System As Gantt began to examine the managers and workers more closely, he devised a task and bonus system, which was similar to Taylor’s differential piece rate system. Gantt experimented with his ideas before he found the system that was the best solution. He would offer bonuses to workers that completed a task in less than standard time, he offered bonuses to first line supervisors based on each workers performance to complete their task in the allotted time and offered an additional bonus to supervisors if all the workers completed their task in the time limit. He found that this system encouraged supervisors to become better leaders by teaching and helping workers to achieve maximum performance. This was an important concept that shifted management from forcing workers to meet standards to leading them in a cooperative manner. After a while, workers and management started to resist the work methods Gantt created. The workers went on strike and Gantt eventually had to find and train replacements. This occurrence led Gantt to believe that management owned the role of training workers more thoroughly. In addition, Gantt added more training that used industriousness and cooperation, which he referred to as the â€Å"habits of industry†. According to the authors of The Evolution of Management Thought, â€Å"Gantt felt that as a result of doing their work promptly and to the best of their ability, workers would experience pride that comes from quality as well as quantity to work. † (161) Gantt believed that the management and laborer would be benefitted equally; employee would be paid higher wages leading to lower costs and the employer would have a greater output of production. Gantt Progress Chart As Gantt attempted to conquer the problems associated with management and laborer with the task and bonus system, he set out to devise a system to aid management in planning and coordinating workloads. After several attempts, Gantt pioneered a bar chart which was known to be the most valuable contribution to management of the generation. (163) The Gantt Progress Chart showed how work should be scheduled or directed through numerous operations, to completion. This chart allowed managers to distinguish whether a job was ahead or behind schedule, then management could take whatever means were necessary to correct the issue. The Gantt chart became a widely used efficient tool to support management in decision making and helped ensure that resources were being used proficiently. The Gilbreth’s Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were also followers of Frederick Taylor’s Scientific Management principles. Frank had greatly contributed to management thought with his invention of the motion studies. Frank began his studies while working as a bricklayer. He started examining the bricklaying process and began to eliminate the steps or motions from 18 to 6. He saw that people could do twice as much work with less effort if the job was done the right way. Frank looked to remove the motions that were unnecessary in jobs, in order to reduce fatigue and increase productivity. After his invention of the motion studies, he moved to focus his work on the construction business. He used the same methods to build homes, dams, factories, skyscrapers and even whole towns. (168) As Frank gained increasing popularity, his wife persuaded him to put his work into writing. His work consisted of three systems: the field, concrete and bricklaying system. The field system was mainly used in construction as an accounting system. This system showed costs, costs in relation to estimates and the total costs of each specific job. In addition, Frank used a suggestion program that enabled workers to obtain extra money for their suggestions on how to improve a job. This would ultimately lead to better service for the customers and additional jobs in the future. (169) Under the concrete system, Frank used competition to motivate the workers. He held contests to see how fast workers could complete a job. Lastly, was the bricklaying system, he used this system to effectively train the workers. He believed apprentices should learn the best way to do a job before standards are set. He believed the earlier methods of instruction from the experienced workers were inefficient and created too much waste. These systems showed how Frank rationalized work methods, improved productivity and ensured efficiency by motivating and correctly training workers by transferring their skills. As Frank started to expand his interests, he looked for better ways to identify inefficient motions. Frank came up with the brilliant idea to use a camera to examine the motions of workers. He then would eliminate the waste based on the analysis. Frank and Lillian also filmed workers attached with small electrical lights; when their movement was slowest they would see a bunch of dots, while they would see sporadic dots when their movement was at a faster pace. The use of camera to observe the movements of workers seemed to be more useful and accurate than Taylor’s use of the stopwatch. As time went by, Frank and Lillian started to detach from Taylor’s methods. Lillian went on to focus her thoughts on â€Å"The Psychology of Management. She studied the effects that work has on humans and held that successful management was determined by the man, not the work. While Lillian tried to determine the most effective and efficient approach to management, she had to compare the three styles that were created: traditional, transitory and scientific. Traditional management created anxiety by relying on rewards and punishment to motivate workers and essentially there was no mutuality of interest between management and worker. Transitory management was the short term style that was incomplete and ill directed before scientific management emerged. Essentially, According to the authors of The Evolution of Management Thought, Lillian believed that scientific management was the best style because it â€Å"promoted regular work, encouraged good personal habits, and fostered the physical, mental, moral, and financial development of workers. (174) Lillian recognized the human factor in work which led her to pioneer human resource management. This creation of human resource management was a significant advance of the times that led industries to obtain the best workers for the positions at hand by the scientific selection, training and placement of the workers. Frederick Taylor, Henry Gantt and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth contributed greatly to the scientific management movement. Close examination of management and workers led to new concepts that improved work methods and incentives, motivated workers, eliminated motions, reduced fatigue and increased production. All of these factors allowed for industries to become more efficient than ever before. Managers gained the proper tools and knowledge that enabled them to train, select and place workers where they were best suited. These concepts that were put into practice in the late 1800’s are still widely used today in the workplace.

Parents Teenage Pregnancy

Parents Teenage Pregnancy And then Comes a Baby with a Baby Carriage: The The Great Influence of Parents â€Å"During the last quarter century, the rate of teenage pregnancy has been declining in Canada† (Dryburgh). In 1997, approximately 41,000 women between the ages 15 to 19 faced pregnancy, some of which gave birth, and others chose abortion. However, the year 2006 has turned the tables around, and countries such as America are experiencing a sudden increase in adolescent pregnancies.   There are many causes of teenage pregnancy, such as the lack of contraceptives, lack of awareness and pure pressure. Aside from the obvious factors in relation to this topic, parenting also plays an immense role in teenage pregnancy. This issue has introduced a new global concern to the all of us, especially to parents. Unfortunately some parents believe that they hold no power over  their child’s decisions about sex, as their voice has been lost in the buzz of peers and popular culture. In the year 2000, the total rate of teen pregnancy in Canada was 38,600, 38 in 1000 and 821,810 in the United States. Amongst examination, teenage pregnancy is indefinitely caused by poor relationships between teens and their parents and, frequently, their parenting styles.   Teenage pregnancy may be the result of lack of love and concern from parents, single parents or absent parents, and permissive parenting styles. The feeling of comfort and security is a feeling which should always be available between a child and his or her parent’s. The ages 13 to 19 are very sensitive years, and adolescents are incredibly easily influenced. It is very easy for teenagers to fall through the cracks, and demonstrate behaviors that will affect them negatively. Parents have  strong authority over their children on many decisions, especially sexual relations.    However, some parents don’t obtain a strong bond with their children, and barely ever discuss the topic. According to a national campaign in 2002, 69% of students agree that it would be much easier for kids to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they are able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents. Some parents don’t communicate with their offspring, and are not involved with their lives. Many parents find it hard to talk about sex with their children, but it is very importan t to break the silence and for parents to mention their sexual attitudes and values. Parents, who don’t show a concern of teenage pregnancy, may cause them to lose their children to the issue. Overly strict parents can also be the cause of teenage conception. Many parents give commands, but no opinions. Many strict families refuse to converse with their children about sex. They simply think that it is wrong and not a part of their religion- end of discussion. Completely banning such things will lead to curiosity and promiscuity. In addition, the teen will refuse to go to their parents for advice about the topic out of fear, and will soon turn to friends. As a 14 year old boy has stated, â€Å"Many kids don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents, so they go to their friends and usually get bad advice†. Many parents establish an enemy-like persona, as apposed to a friendly one. For some teens, parents are the last people they would talk to about serious issues. In order to reduce the chance of teens having intercourse, parents need to build a strong relationship with their kids. Many parents are just simply distanced from their children. Some parents don’t spend enough time with their kids, and refuse to listen to their children. Parents aren’t supportive of their children, and don’t engage in activities together. A distanced relation will provide the child with lack of parental love. Lack of love, support and concern are all causes of teen pregnancy. Parents need to be clear about the value of abstinence and the dangers of unprotected sex. Parents need to provide clear messages, and show a strict, but opinionative, attitude about the subject. If teens have the parents, then the parents need to use their power and benefit their child. Statistics show that one in two couples get divorced. A large amount of these divorced couples have children together.   Divorce is an intensely stressful experience for all children, regardless of age or developmental level. A 1980 study proved that less than 10% of children that had support from parents and other relatives during the stressful phase of divorce.   Adolescents are prone to responding to their parent’s divorce with acute depression, suicidal ideation, and sometimes violent acting out episodes. Living with a single parent will create a change in the child’s behaviors. As one parent is playing the role of two, he or she will soon not have enough time for the child.   A probable cause for this is lack of finance. When divorced, the expectations for appropriate behavior are usually decreased. Some teens may take advantage of the divorce, in mischievous ways. For instance, one may lie to their mother, saying that they are at their fathers place, and vic e versa with their father; while indulging in a prohibited activity. When divorced, the relationship between the offspring and the single parent commonly shatters. For one, the amount of time the child sees each parents is drastically reduced.   As opposed to associating with both parents at the same time, the time that is spent with each parent is varied, depending on the custody ruling. Lastly, as mentioned earlier, the kid may take advantage of the situation and seek for self-pleasure, since their parents no longer have enough time for he or she. It is understood that parenting styles change, after a divorce or the loss of a spouse. The single parent may feel guilty and bad for the child, so the parent showers the kid with special gifts, or gives the child more freedom but less support. A female teenager in this situation might find herself with accessible freedom. Staying  out late, performing sexual activities and trying to displace the stress with pleasure may all conquer in this case. Replacement can also be created by a single parent famil y, which may lead to intimate relationships that may, perhaps, get caught in the issue of teenage pregnancy. A teenager, living in a single parent household may find him or herself trapped in a house where he or she is receiving only half the love and support that is desired. This fact mostly refers to girls. â€Å"I always hear all the other girls talking about how their father’s bought this for them, and did that for them. They tell me that when they want something, they ask their father’s because men are more easily going and easily convinced. I tried to get that love that was supposed to be provided from the father I never had, by getting a boyfriend. Who ever knew that the joke was on me†, shares a girl, 15 years of age. Being raised in a family with only once spouse, and missing another, more often fathers, the circumstances encourage teenage girls to replace the love by relationships (these can be ranged from   non-platonic male acquaintances to   boyfriends)   with another male. In addition, many single parents, shoe self-indulgence on mature activities an d behavior. For instance, many single mothers go out seeking for their own pleasure by going to clubs, bars or seeing different men. If this mother has a daughter, chances are she will be greatly influenced by her mother’s behavior. Just feeling supported and protected can mean a lot to a female in such terrible circumstances. Aside from overwhelming family issues and loveless families, many average and well off families are allowing their young ones experience self-pleasure. Over the past few years, there has been an obvious increase in the amount of freedom adolscents are receiving from their parents. Parents are adapting a permissive parenting style, meaning that they are giving their kids excessive freedom. It is quite clear to indicate that in each generation teens are exposed to more freedom, which increases the chance of teen pregnancy. The headlines of young girls getting raped or going missing are frequently reported on the news. In today’s society, these illicit occurrences often happen in their homes. Freedom is one thing that should not be increased, especially for teenage girls. There are many gullible and easily fooled young women, who may succumb to peer pressure. This type of â€Å"Peer Pressure† does not refer to a young girl getting convinced by her friends into shoplifting or committing a light drug. In fact, the â€Å"peer pressure† shich seems to be most common is the pressure, given usually by males, to be put into horrific situations, such as teen sex. Parents seem to be saying â€Å"No†   les frequently to their kids. What is not understood by most parents is that it’s not a matter of trusting your child, but a matter of trusting his or her peers and surroundings. The more a female goes out, the greater the chances of her going out with a male.   Studies have shown that males think of sex every eight seconds , regardless if they are   on a date or a casual meet. Girls need to be smart enough and not fall into their traps. Unfortunately most parents don’t see this, and still give their daughters all the freedom they wish for. The same goes for the parents of the young men fathering these offspri ngs. Many early intamte relationships end up pregnant, because their parents didn’t seem too concerned. Many experts believe that permissive parenting is detrimental to the child. It is true, that children need to have freedom to experience and learn on their own. However, excessive freedom is not beneficial to the children. Studies have shown that children need stronger role models and rules to help mould their personality. A lot of parents adapt a permissive parenting style, because they believe their children will love them more, and build a better relationship with them. From the sound of it, permissive parents act this way due to insecurity. Unfortunately, what they don’t realize is that their parenting style is distancing them from their kids. According to   a national study children tend to feel more secure when their parents establish   rules for them. When parents give too much freedom, they give their child the idea that they can do anything they want, with no complaints from the guardians. They also tend to think that their parents are indifferent and anything he or she does will not affect the parent. According to experts, moderate permissive parenting is also possible, and seems to be the right way of parenting. It is okay for a child to make some of his or her own decisions. Parents influence their child’s decisions on many issues and decisions, such as sex. However, the child needs to be guided, by parents into learning the right way of making these certain decisions. Permissive parenting, when exercised in moderation, will in fact benefit the child. Being loved, cared for and supported are all important parts of life. Being loved, cared for and supported by parents are essential parts of existence. Missing parts of life can break it apart. Parenting is one of life’s most challenging responsibilities, and must be done the right way, in order to succeed. Research, along with teen thoughts, makes it clear that parents can make a change in a teenager’s behavior. Parents seem to be lacking awareness and concern for their teens and lack of education from parents is available. If teens are not feeling loved by parents, they will seek for that love in a mate, which can lead to intimate relationships, and possibly to teenage pregnancy. It is very important for parents to share close relationships with their kids, talk to them, be moderately permissive and portray a good role model. Parents should never underestimate the great need that children of all ages feel for their parent’s approval, guidance, and support. As a Miami father has shared, â€Å"Children have to know that there is someone out there for them always†. Parents also need to portray better role models, and try to avoid getting too caught up in their own lives, while excluding and influencing their kids. After examining the issue of teenage pregnancy, I have indicated that teenage pregnancy is the result of lack of love and concern from parents, single parents or absent parents, and permissive parenting styles. It is vital to society that we treasure its youth, because children, after all, are our future.

Overview On Evidence Based Nursing Nursing Essay

Overview On Evidence Based Nursing Nursing Essay According to Olade (2004), nursing practice using observed phenomena and evidences is an example of education which refers to formalized experiences designed to enlarge the knowledge or skills of nursing educators or practitioners. Through experiences and evidences, the ability to learn actual clinical practice and the orientation in health care protocols and policies in handling patients needs will be achieved. This method is also termed as Evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice involves a combination of many disciplines, including aspects of multidisciplinary sciences to promote the restoration and maintenance of health in our clients (Davies, 2005). Much literature has been published on this topic in recent years, an evolving subject and concept for specific practices that promote more effective, safer and more efficient ways of caring (Drenkard Cohen, 2004). Maintaining and improving high satisfaction and job retention among nurses is an important area to discover (Ebe ll, 2008). To achieve this, we need a workforce to continually strive for excellence, be responsible and flexible enough, have the confidence to face the challenges, and inspire everyone with a shared vision. These are strengths needed by nursing staff to motivate others health care provider to fulfill their potential and achieve goals (Littlefield, 2005). Researches, studies and articles were utilized and analyzed in gathering the necessary information needed. Clinical education, skills and practices are the key concepts used in this paper. Challenges Possession of knowledge and competency in performing skills and interventions which can be acquired in hands on training is essential in practicing the profession especially in the medical-surgical unit where I supervise. As a nursing professional, tangible skills and knowledge in a hospital setting is very important in managing clients and supervising clients (Burns Foley, 2005). Evidences were identified through thorough assessment and research. The challenges discussed below were identified through gathering of recent information in my Medical-Surgical unit and data that focuses on this subject. Communicating effectively at all levels is a common barrier in the implementation of change among health care in various settings (Kleinman, 2004). As a member of the hospital workforce, a nurse must have the capability to communicate effectively in a non-judgmental way and stimulate other colleagues to think critically. They must also arouse enthusiasm and develop quick thinking and imagination. Moreover, they must also demonstrate resourcefulness and professionalism with infinite patience, understanding, confidence and perseverance are also challenges (Bryar et al, 200). According to Kleinman (2004), health care professionals are striving constantly to improve and develop the standards of care. Meeting the challenges require health care providers to be effective leaders who foster a culture and develop partnerships that embraces innovation (Salsberg, 2008). Organizational culture and leadership style result to staff satisfaction, increased productivity, improved patient care well-functioning teams (Drenkard Cohen, 2004). Getting health information about new knowledge is also a critical case or situation, but we have to look at how to make the system on healthcare execute its purpose better for certain facility so that the provided care is more efficient, accessible and effective (Pravikoff et al., 2005). Recent studies have reported gaps between nursing practice and researches (Brancato 2006) and identified different challenges that prevent the evidence to clinical practice to translate into clinical settings (Olade 2004). These challenges in applying evidence-based practice in nursing have been consistent across researches. One challenge is that, in the generation and development of new medical and nursing knowledge, the resistance of profession has often been incorporated with the new ways of practice (Young, 2004). The study suggests that much recent practices are based frequently on tradition, experience and intuition, rather than validation of science (Pravikoff et al., 2005, Egerod Hansen 2005). Furthermore, the growing numbers of nurse studies and researches designed to develop and improve nursing practice at the staff nurse level cannot make nurses improve their skills, research knowledge and understanding. They frequently lack nurses formal training such as scientific inquiries (Fink et al. 2005, Melnyk 2005, Melnyk et al. 2004, Pravikoff et al. 2005, Olade 2004). Institutional challenges to Evidenced-based Practice have also been identified. Moreover, challenges according to Melnyk (2005) were also found such as difficulty gaining support financially for the programs and trainings that ensure the effectiveness of skills, practice, leadership and integration of the program with existing practice of care through trainings and seminars and sustainable momentum during the shift of culture. Study also revealed that these challenges are not limited to those who implement the program (Young, 2004). In general, the main role of nurses is focused on providing effective, quality care. Hence, more advanced and competent means of preparing nurses to supervise and manage their patient is important (Briggs et al., 2004). These challenges must be addressed properly by the implementation of appropriate approach and programs to increase the knowledge and experience. Skill development for nursing educators must constantly be framed within the context of individualized patients. Nursing educators should make themselves aware of every situation happening in the field and make it a motivational means to improve the profession by proper preparation and education (Welk, 2007). Therefore, the need for implementing evidenced-based approach to nursing practice is essential in addressing these issues. Strategies for Implementing an Evidence-based Approach to Nursing Practice The nursing profession enters a new era not knowing what to expect. Yes, patient care is the same everywhere, but they must be comfortable with the environment they are placed in. Adaptation is crucial in the clinical arena (Kleinman (2004). Evidenced-based practice and clinical experience may become a highly useful and effective strategy in clinical practice. The nurse becomes less apprehensive about the clinical environment and becomes more client-focused, therefore increasing the effectiveness of care. This also provides the nurse an opportunity for role modeling as the client and family maintains and develops standards of practice and competent care in a familiar environment (Foster, 2007). In implementing an evidenced-based approach to nursing practice, nursing professionals must learn the ability to have excellent learning and communication skills, exhibit organizational and leadership ability (Salsberg, 2008). The particular problem which is the main issue of the study conducted by Rosswurm and Larrabee (2005) which suggests that the ability of nurses to perform their responsibilities and duties by exhibiting clinical skills and professional abilities are important. Nurses must possess good assessment skills and have good insight and judgment skills in order to anticipate or interpret the needs of the client in health care practice (Hewson, 2006). This evidenced-based model can be used to accommodate change process for the observed facts and laws that can be related to a particular aspect of nursing practice (Burns Foley, 2005). Communication practices must be addressed to identify and effectively set goals. Communicating effectively at all levels is a common barrier in the implementation of change among health care in various settings (Henderson, 2009). In addition,Littlefield (2005) strongly agrees that effective communication is the major factor in the success of effective learning outcomes for the implementation of new approaches, especially in a multicultural environment. As nurses play a different role at different time periods, communication should be considered in my Medical-Surgical unit in order to maintain the effectiveness and quality for the future improvement. Communication plays an essential role in enhancing clinical learning environment. Hallin Danielson (2009) describe that the role of communication is more concerned with the development of clinical competency by using strategies such as role modeling, feedback and questioning, within a supportive, safe and welcoming manner. For experienced nursing practitioners in hospital settings such as the Medical-Surgical unit, financial support and educational programs should provide resources to maintain theoretical and clinical competence (Hagger McIntyre, 2007). The key to successful client management is communication in caring for patients. Some of the activities being practiced in a hospital setting are the provision of the most current information possible for the nurses and nursing educators using the evidence-based practice and through collaborative approach of health care professionals (Lichtman, 2008). It is also useful to have and possess general skills needed to be competent in educating and training nursing personnel in health facility (Welk, 2007). I can share my ability to have excellent teaching and communication skills, exhibit organizational and leadership ability in my unit. The particular factor which is the main issue in improving the knowledge to perform their responsibilities and duties through exhibiting clinical skills and professional abilities is really important. Nursing practitioners must also support the possession of good assessment skills and have good insight and judgment skills in order to anticipate or interpret the needs of the client in health care practice (Foster, 2007). Lastly, trainings, workshops or programs should be properly planned and outlined to provide information and instruction for nurses in the principles of teaching and learning different skills, pedagogical styles, and valid evaluation techniques. According to Hewson (2006), workshops for nurses would impart knowledge and skills essential for success in the clinical setting. Embracing the knowledge and acquired skills in a familiar environment provides the practitioner with an increased level of confidence in the educational development of nursing professionals (Salsberg, 2008). To properly accommodate the strategies mentioned above, the conceptual model for translating evidence into clinical practice authored by Rosswurm and Larrabee (2005) will be helpful to promote the change process. This model recognized that translation of research into practice requires a solid grounding in change theory, principles of research utilization, and use of standardized nomenclature. The model has the following six phases: 1) assess the need for change in practice, 2) link the problem with interventions and outcomes, 3) synthesize the best evidence, 4) design a change in practice, 5) implement and evaluate the practice, and 6) integrate and maintain the practice change. The model provides a pragmatic, theory-driven framework for empowering clinicians in the process of evidence-based practice. The first phase is assessing the need for change in practice which searches for evidence to support the change. The second phase is linking the problem, interventions, and outcomes by using standardized nursing classification systems and nomenclature to identify the problem, and the desired outcomes .The third phase is synthesizing the best evidence by organizing systematic and critical strategies. The fourth phase is designing the practice change by identifying strategies to explore the original issue further and to implement it into practice. The fifth phase is the implementation and evaluation of change in practice by building and fortifying systems identifying problems, communicating and managing changes. The last phase is integrating and maintaining the change in practice, this step of the model is pending further evaluation and consideration (Rosswurm and Larrabee, 2005). This model is applicable to the subject because of its nature in terms of change process and method. Behavior, skills, competency, personal traits and knowledge can be addressed through the utilization of this model (Lichtman, 2008). Freiburger (2004) suggests that learning style in practice can be changed according to the situation such as when going through a new experience and at different maturation. Towards the end when an individual becomes confident and starts to discover new things by him/herself shows that evidenced-base approach of learning (Young, 2004). Conclusion Knowledge and competitiveness is a product of evidenced-based practice. Experience and effective learning processes are essential in actual clinical practice of the nursing profession. To be an effective nurse, one should begin with the individual appraisal of ones self competency and enhanced education based on practices and trainings taken previously during undergraduate and graduate studies, workshops, trainings, continuing education, and preparation for teaching seminars or modules including the conceptual, academic and clinical orientation (Foster, 2007). Competitiveness is largely based on innate potentials and motivations afforded by the familiarity of a learning environment. Accordingly, the primary responsibility of the nurse to the patient is to give him/her the kind of care the patient condition needs regardless of race, creed, color, nationality or status (Salsberg, 2008). The nurse must also advocate the rights and serve as facilitator of patients well being (Foster, 2007). In doing so, the patients care shall be based on subjective and objective evidence, needs, the physicians order and the ailment, and the involvement of the patient and the family. Evidence-based practice promotes understanding of the differing values held by people in other cultures (Henderson, 2009). For example, it helps the client understand why other people in one culture may regard with approval of their practices of exposing their elderly members to the harmful elements, while people in other cultures may abhor such practice (Henderson, 2009). The strength of this critical thinking and decision-making is its recognition of the relationship between personal values and a choi ce of action. It also equates personal values and wrong action and recognizes limits of personal experience and perspective and it implies that a persons moral judgments are infallible. I believe the richness or intensity of the inculcation of knowledge, positive values and skills of a person is not simply based on the innate capacity of one to evaluate, think, reason and interact in a learning situation. It also equally depends on the quality of the nursing experiences which are either limited by the nurses ability and will to choose or by what is desirable to her which is readily accessible in the environment. Nursing education, concepts and programs for improving the knowledge in health facility should also be provided to maintain theoretical and clinical competence of health setting and facilities. From what I have learned in my own area of practice, the key to successful knowledge development is competent learning and effective communication during the practice to achieve the goal of competency. This will determine the path of being an effective and competent nursing professional.

The Life of Kate Chopin Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays

The life of Kate Chopin      Ã‚  Ã‚   Kate Chopin led a fascinating life filled with times of triumph but also times of great loss. Living in the South during the post-Civil War era, the setting and experiences of her life would have a great impact on the subjects of her writing. Chopin began writing as a way to express her frustration with life. This is why her emotions about life are conveyed so strongly in her writing. One of her short stories, "Juanita," is an excellent example of how Chopin's life affected her writing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story of "Juanita" is that of a young woman who, though not incredibly beautiful, had many admirers. The people of her small town gossiped continually about which man she would marry. Would it be the man who had traveled all the way from the city for the sole purpose of seeing her? Or would it be the rich millionaire from Texas who owned a hundred horses? The townspeople all assumed she would choose the richest of her suitors, until one day Juanita announced that she had secretly married a poor one-legged man whom she loved very much.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To truly understand the characters of Chopin's stories, one must examine the history of her life. Kate Chopin was born as Katherine O'Flaherty to a wealthy Irish St. Louis family on February 8, 1851. While she was still a young child, her father died in a train accident. Only a few years later her brother died after being captured by Union forces during the Civil War. The loss of all the males in her life, according to Hoffman, led to the intense female relationships she shared with her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As a young woman, Kate treasured her independence. Late 1860's society was highly critical of her because she walked, unac... ... about the world as she actually saw it. For a woman to do this in the late nineteenth century was unheard of, and Chopin was highly criticized for it at the time. But after going through as much as she did in her life, she could not stay silent. Ker suggests that "after 39 years of trials and tribulations and just plain living, she finally had something to say!"    Works Cited Chopin, Kate. "Juanita." A Vocation and a Voice Stories. Ed. Emily Toth. New York: Penguin Books. 1991. 86-88 Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. New York: Bantam Books. 1988 Fox-Genovese, Elizabeth. "Kate Chopin: A re-awakening." http://www.pbs.org/katechopin/interviews.html Hoffman, Audrey. "Kate Chopin." http://www.kutstown.edu/faculty/reagan/chopin.html Ker, Christina. "Kate Chopin- Ahead of her Time." http://empirezine.com/spotlight/chopin/chopin1.htm         

The Impact of Emerging Technology on the Public Sector Essay -- Techno

The Impact of Emerging Technology on the Public Sector The impact of information technology has been tremendous within the public sector. Over the years, the growth and development of technology has caused the public sector to change. One of the most significant changes in technology has been the evolution of the information systems and how their development has reshaped the way the world uses technology. â€Å"It has been just over fifty years since the worlds first programmable computer became operational. It cost millions of dollars to build and processed an unprecedented 5,000 instructions per second. By 1971, Intel was able to pack 25 times that power into a single, two hundred-dollar chip. Today’s personal computers process 400,000 instructions per second and if current trends continue, desktop-computing power will be at 100,000 million instructions per second by the year 2012.† [i] Although the benefits of technology were first realized in the private sector, the public sector has been able to reap some benefits. In addition they have also incurred some of the challenges it has brought. This research paper will discuss the types of technology that are used by the public sector, cost considerations, security and confidentiality issues, the National Public Review and Government Information Technology initiatives and the challenges of training a computer literate workforce. Public Sector Technology Applications Emerging technology is the application of rising or forthcoming sciences to industrial and commercial objectives. These rising and forthcoming sciences have also been applied to the public sector. Technology has impacted the services the public sector provides as well as the internal systems used to support t... ...al, M., (1998) Technology in Government Vol. 5. No. 10., Public Lines up for Service, New York: Columbia University Press Northrop, A., Kraemer, K., Dunkle, D., and King, J. (1990) Public Administration Review vol 5., Payoffs from Computerization: Lessons Over Time, New York: Columbia University Press Reisner, R and Jones-Shearin, C. (1996) Access America Online Magazine, Improve the Public's Access to Government Services-Less Burden more Service www.accessamerica.gov/docs/public2.html {on-line} Thibodeau, P., (1999) CNN.com, Government: US will need 1.3M new IT workers by 2006, www.cnn.com/ting/9907/02/itwirk,idg/index.html {on-line} (1994) The American Heritage Dictionary 3rd Edition, New York, Dell Publishing Thompson, M., (1999) CNN.com, US Miltary Recruits on the Web, www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9904/27/military.idg/index.html {on-line}

Relationship Between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Essay

All through the play of â€Å"Macbeth† there is a continuing relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The relationship has a significant role that creates most of the actions, reactions, moods, feelings and attitudes in the play. That relationship changes throughout the play, at first there is a lot of respect between them, however in time Lady Macbeth takes the part of the more dominant character of their relationship. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth they respect each other and are on exactly the same wavelength, so close they can almost read each other’s thoughts when they are apart. â€Å"†¦ I feel now / The future in the instant. † (I, v) Having decided to murder Duncan, their relationship becomes even more intense, it’s a passionate, obsessive, almost sexual excitement. As well there’s fear and terror involved in the relationship. â€Å"What cannot you and I perform upon / Th’ unguarded Duncan? † (I, vii) After Duncan’s murder, Lady Macbeth appears stunned by Macbeth’s killing of the guards. Suddenly she feels that the situation is getting out of control and Macbeth is becoming more vicious. This is the first time we feel they are growing apart. â€Å"O, yet I do repent me of my fury, / That I did kill them. During the time between the coronation and the banquet the relationship becomes very distressed. Neither of them are sleeping. Guilt is overcoming the couple. Macbeth begins to plan and think alone and shuts out Lady Macbeth from his thoughts. â€Å"How now my lord! why do you keep alone†¦? † (III, ii) By the banquet scene, Lady Macbeth realises she can’t do anything to help her husband. At the end, she and her husband, have grown apart, so they are no in a relationship anymore. He is determined to go back to the witches; we feel that Macbeth is no longer trusting his wife but instead in â€Å"You lack the season of all natures, sleep. (III, iv) After the banquet there is a long period when all Lady Macbeth can do is watch as Macbeth continues killing. By the last Act, a combination of isolation and guilt has driven Lady Macbeth mad. †I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried, he / Cannot come out on’s grave. ‘ (V, i) †Shortly before the end, Macbeth too realises that his life no longer has any meaning and calmly faces his own death at the hands of Macduff. In this play the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth had a significant role of creating most of the actions, moods, feelings, and attitudes. The relationship changed throughout the play.

Gladwell

Essay I : Gladwell argues that success is not the result of innate talent, but of practice and of being in the right place at the right time. Critically evaluate this argument. Malcolm Gladwel Analyses in his latest book Outliers , the circumstances that made some people successful . He shows another aspect of their self-made rise to success. Gladwell gives the definition of an outlier as an unusual person ‘classed differently from a main or related body’ (2008:3), in other words out of the ordinary.He argues that success is not in any case a matter of talent, but of practice, of social status, culture, and of being in the right place at the right time. The aims of this essay is to evaluate whether Gladwell’s argument are true, and how reliable are the evidence used to support his arguments. I will critically evaluate, and identify the type of evidence used by the author, which sometime tend to be unconvincing. This essay is organised into two great section. Each section present arguments and evidence used by Gladwell , an evaluation of these , and finally other examples and comparisons.The first section will argue about the fact that success is not the result of innate abilities but of practice. It will be illustrated through examples of the ‘10,000-Hour rules’, were individuals allocate a certain amount of time to become an expert. However Gladwell insist on the fact that practice is not the only way to become succeful, as being at the right place in the right time is important as well. Thus, the second section will present five arguments that support this idea. Firstly I will argue about the relative age effect through the examples of hockey players.Secondly, the demographical advantage will be presented through the example of ‘the seventy-five richest people’ and the example of successful American businessmen. Thirdly, I will talk about the family background argument with the example of the ‘entitlement (2 008:105). Finally, I will present the argument of Ethnicity through the example of minority law student at the university of Michigan. Gladwell present the correlation between innate talent and practice through examples stories. Indeed, the first example from his argument is the one considering the three group of violinist.The thirds group appears as the elite one because of the amount of practice allocated according to K. Anders Ericsson. The example of Mozart is then presented by showing the amount of time he have been practicing to become a prodigy. For those two examples he uses evidence from psychology studies and conclude that there is a ‘ten thousand hours’(2008:40) rule to become successful. Furthermore he uses approximations to confirm his argument, as he noted ‘ what’s ten years? It’s roughly what it takes to put in ten thousand hours of practice [†¦] the magic number of greatness’ (2008:41).This approximation is without any dou bt perplexing. Gladwell gives further exceptional example to defend his theory. Among them the example of the Beatles who practiced ten years before becoming very famous , which is again another confirmation of the ‘ ten thousands hours’ theory. To summarise, Gladwell pretends that there is no such thing as innate talent , but the a rule of ten thousands hours to become an expect. Galton (Cited in Ericsson, Krampe and Clemens, 1993) argues that eminent performance is determined by innate capacity and genetics, through his example of the human body.Gladwell is in fact choosing his evidence according to his opinion, which is actually not very objective. He uses Ericsson’s study of 1990 as evidence, whereas three year later the same author argued that sufficient amount of experience and practice does not lead to greatness (Ericsson, Krampe and Clemens; 1993). Moreover, the idea of ten thousands hours cannot be verified universally. Some individuals might need more t ime to reach the level of an expert, as well as the amount of time may differ according to the field involved.According to Gladwell practice is not the only way to achieve greatness, opportunities, timing and backgrounds are also important. Gladwell argues that talent , hard work and passion are not enough to be successful. Another element is also important. To be born in the right time. Indeed, Gladwell supports this argument by giving the example of the relative age effect in hockey player in Canada. According to Roger Barnsley study, players who were born after January ( entry cutoff age for hockey class) ‘have had the benefit of critical extra month of maturity’ (2008:24).Gladwell does not show good reference about Roger Barnsley, as he relates the author study to an approximate date; He noted: ‘It wasn’t until the mid-1980s that [†¦] Roger Barnsley first drew the attention to the phenomenon of relative age. ’ (2008:21). The reader is not ab le to verify the reference properly. At the end of the book, Gladwell give the reference of a review about Roger Barnsley published in 2001. In 2011 Gibbs, Jarvis and Dufur argues that being a small kid increase the performance as they have to work twice as hard as the one born after the cutoff date.Moreover, youngest people are more are more successful at university as the cutoff maginalise them and let them focus more on studies (Billari & Pellizzari,2008). Here we can see that Gladwell is not using actual references. Knowing the creation date of a source is important as this help verify the currency of the evidence. Another example of the unknown provenance of Gladwell’s evidence, is the table that shows ’the seventy-five richest people in human history’ (2008:56). There is now reference for this table.From a critical point of view, nothing shows that there are actually seventy-five richest people in the human history. The ranking of rich Americans (2008:62), does not show any provenance. Gladwell pretends that those people were born in a strategic time that allowed them to be ready for certain period of growth, which will then lead them to success. His argument is strong, as real facts witness it; however the evidence used is not accurate. Gladwell show the difference between children from a poor family background and the middle-class children through Annette Lareau’study.Again, no date is shown as a reference. Moreover, he supports his argument that middle-class children are more asserted in society than poor children, through an anecdote. He gives the story of two children behaving differently in a doctor interview. Gladwell emphasizes on their names and personalities to support his argument. He noted that ‘Alex Williams is better off than Katie Brindle because he’s wealthier and because he goes to better school, but also because [†¦] the sense of entitlement that he has been taught is an attitude perfectly s uited to succeeding in the modern world. (2008:108). This anecdote is unfortunately making Gladwell’s argument unconvincing. Comparing two random and unknown individuals cannot persuade any critical reader those richer individuals are better than the others. Furthermore, to stay on the same aspect, Gladwell justify Alex Williams’ position, not because of his racial attributes as being white, but because of his ‘cultural advantage’(2008:108). When considering the population of the United States for instance, no big difference exists between black and white people as they live in the same country, with the same nationality.An implicit meaning, that white people are better than black people, could be understood by a critical reader. It will no longer be a matter of ‘cultural advantage’, but a matter of ethnicity. Michigan minority Law students are another example of Gladwell’s assumptions of Ethnicity reasons. He noted that in law studies white student are better than minority students (2008:85), with no origin of this information. He quotes Richard Lempert who wrote his study in 2000. The date of this reference is unfortunately unreliable when comparing the year of Outliers’ publication (2008).I have examined in this essay the arguments and evidence used by Gladwell in his book Ouliers (2008), to support the fact that success is not the result of innate talent, but of practice and of being in the right place at the right time. For that I initially examined the relationship between innate talent and practice through Gladwell’s believes of the ‘Ten Thousands hours’ practice to succeed. But also, by projecting and comparing this theory with a universal point of view. I then moved the second part of Gladwell’s argument which is about timing, opportunities and backgrounds; as being in the right place at the right time.I considered the examples of the hockey players with the aspect of the relative age; then I argued about the demographical advantages, being born in a strategic period of growth; family background was ten presented as being another explanation of success; and finally the aspect of ethnicity. We have seen so far that Gladwell is using acceptable arguments. However , the types of evidence he uses are not accurate. Indeed, the use of anecdote, tables without any reference would not persuade the reader.Moreover his generalizations of assumptions are not convincing, and leave perplexed any critical reader who might not find this book useful as a reference. To my point of view, practice and opportunities are very important to be successful. However, innate talent is vital, as individuals have defences in capacities. Some people would be better in certain field, whereas others would not be gifted. Passion and motivation will then come to guide skilled individuals to the road of expertise, and maybe if the opportunities arises, to the road of success. Referen ces: Gladwell, M. (2008).Outliers Ericsson, K. Ander. ; Krampe, Ralf Th. ; Tesch-Romer, Clemens. (1993). The Role Of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance. Psychological Review, vol. 100, issue 3, pp. 363 Bedard, K and Dhuey, E, (2006). The persistence of early childhood maturity: international evidence of long run age effects, Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol. 121, issue 4, pp. 1437-1472 Musch, J and Grondin, S, (2001). Unequal competition as an impediment to personal development: a review of the relative age effect in sport, Developmental Review, vol. 21, issue 2, pp. 147-167 Gibbs,B.G. ; Jarvis,J. A. ; Dufur, M. J. (2011). The rise of the underdog? The relative age effect reversal among Canadian-born NHL hockey players: A reply to Nolan and Howell. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. [Online]. Available at: http://irs. sagepub. com/content/early/2011/08/19/1012690211414343. abstract [ Accessed 27 november 2012] Billari, F. C. ; Pellizzari, M . (2008). The Younger, the Better? Relative Age Effects at University. Journal of Population Economics, 2012, 25 (2), 697-739. [ Online ]. Available at : http://ftp. iza. org/dp3795. pdf [ Accessed 27 november 2012]