Elephant in the room Essay Example for Free

Elephant in the room Essay There are many aspects about rural schools that make them less fortunate than other types of schools. The actual environment of rural schools sometimes makes it hard for their students to succeed. Poverty is the 600 pound gorilla that is sitting on rural schools (Berliner, 2004). Rural schools are dependent on national and urban economics, and if the economy is not prospering, this also how rural schools fail. Because these schools are geographically and culturally isolated due to their locations, they usually lack the conditions that non-rural schools have. In addition, the location of these rural schools forces them to use more effort in order to network with people and to get the materials needed for teachers and students. Recently, farms in rural areas have been diminishing, and rural policy no longer has to be equated with farm policy. Furthermore, rural areas have previously depended on their schools as a focus of life, but this has changed and the future has become different. The school is now expected to prepare students for a different society than traditional rural environments, which creates an imbalance in ideals and traditions (Stern, 1994). We must view rural schools and communities as integrated social structures. Poverty is another problem that exists in rural schools, although it varies by region. We are in need of a federal policy to recognize the diversity of rural populations and give provisions for resources unavailable because of a lack of funding. There are three levels of funding provided by the government(local, state, and federal) that add to educational spending. If rural schools are to give the same services to their students as larger schools, the cost of program per person would be higher, but these schools do not receive extra money (DeYoung, 1991). Rural schools face poor conditions that their students are exposed to on a daily basis. For example, these schools lack the facilities, course materials, and programs that wealthier districts have. The problem with resources in rural schools is not availability of information, but the diversity of their settings. A critical factor as to why rural schools have such problems is the funding that they receive. Due to the small size of these schools, they tend to get less money from the government, but even when they get the same funding as non-rural districts, this is not enough due to the unique problems that rural schools are faced with. Because of the lack of funding, the condition of the schools is terrible. Usually rural schools have dilapidated buildings, which makes the learning environment unsafe and not motivating for the students. Since schools do not have sufficient funding, they are not able to tailor programs to the students needs, such as Advanced Placement and Honors classes as well as remedial and special education classes, which creates problems for these students. Furthermore, the materials that rural schools are provided with are out of date, and technological improvements such as computers and internet access are not available in most rural areas (Gibbs, 2000). Since the conditions of rural schools are not motivating to students they may experience.

Segmentation Targeting And Positioning Of Nestle Marketing Essay

Segmentation Targeting And Positioning Of Nestle Marketing Essay Nestles promising to providing quality products to Singapore people. dates back more than 90 years ago trading MILKMAID condensed milk by Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company. After the some years it has been provided in Singapore for Singaporeans, Nestlà © has won the trust of Singaporeans for being a food maker with the maximum safety and quality measurement with this products.   Nestlà © started its business and operation in Singapore in 1912 and has become successful in this country, largely as a net result of its operating principles. These seek primarily to:- Offer Singaporeans the mostly safety and quality measurement in our food and beverage products in Singapore. Nestle Utilized the most new and up-to-date advance technology and its accounted science-based experienced in the manufacture of milk food products. Nestle takes its broad responsible partner as a corporate citizen member by availability in community and social projects that contribute to the speedy development of the country. Nestlà © brands are household names in Singapore and very well-known company. These include MILO, NESCAFÉ, MAGGI, NESTLÉ NESVITA OMEGA PLUS ACTICOL, KIT KAT, PURINA, FRISKIES and many of other market competitors in their product categories.   Segmentation, Targeting   Positioning of  Nestle. Executive Summary Nestle is global company of milk products and nutrition, chocolates, beverage, catering  and  many  type  of  confectionary  goods.  It  has  its  millions  of  customers  worldwide. Today  Nestlà © Singapore Limited is on good positioned to grow through its business policy of  constant  innovation  and  renovation,  concentrating  on  its  core competencies and commitment to better and high quality, with the aim of availability to the  best quality food to the people of Singapore. In the report we have brought a  discussion about the marketing segmentation of Nestle, their target  market and positioning strategy in Singapore. The way Nestle chooses its different core customers different needs with a better way and how it fulfilled satisfaction its consumers by making greater  facilities by the aggregate of different products or marketing mixes is shown in market segmentation of Nestlà ©. In the area of market viewing we have talk ing how Nestle have made many segments and decided to expand their whole business in whole Singapore. In the end of this we have talking how Nestle available to the customers point more Efficiently and effectively comparing with their other manufacture competitors in the highly challenging food beverage market of Singapore by making  differentiation of target Users and customers. Nestle is the biggest nutrition and foods company in the globe, established his headquarter in Vevey, Switzerland. The journey of Nestle begins with Henri Nestlà © developed the first milk food for early in 1867, and saved the life of a neighbors child. This man makes a food for the needy babies who are not able to take mothers feed can use food as an alternative food. Henri Nestle left his job in 1875 but the Nestle was going on a top speed. In the coming year the Nestlà © company introduced condensed milk, so that the company became direct and strong rivals. After that the company was joined in 1905 with the a firm named Anglo-Swiss Milk company which was established by two  brothers  named  George  Page  and  Charles  Page.  The  firm  reenter significantly during the First World War  though it fall in debt, a banker provide facility and help it to less its debt. After the 2nd World War  , the company eventually increased its providing beyond its firsty c ondensed milk and infant formula  products. The 1920s saw Nestlà ©s first enter into new products, with chocolate the  Nestlà ©s  second  big important  activity. Nestlà ©Ã‚  felt the effects of World War II  immediately. Profits decreased from US$200 lakhs 1938 to US$60 lakhs in 1939. But after the World War II was the starting of a dynamic phase  for Nestlà ©. Growth speeder and companies were taken. At this time the company operates in 86 countries around the world and hired manpower around 283,000. Theoretical  Consideration Marketing  Strategies: The  Strategic  plan  provides  the  companys  overall mission and objective and new hpopes to achieve companys views. Through market segmentation, targeting and positioning the company takes decisions which customers it will provide and how. The company also makes designs a marketing mix made up of  factors under its control product, price, place,  promotion. Strategy of Nestle in Singapore:   Nestlà ©s required strategy is to cover only the developed area of Singapore. Thats why  they  are  doing  their  activities  in  main  and  metropolitan  cities  of  Singapore. They want to put babies and children healthy and ensure their  sufficient nutrition.  Thats  why  main and large range  of  their  products  are  baby  milk food  products. They also target new age generation to build a strong relationship by  providing various eatable products. In the information, we are going to point outs of Nestle is to segment, target the  potential customers and to positioning of their profitable products. Their  segmentations, targeting, positioning process are given below. Nestle want to change customers toward their products. Thats why they are offering  new  products  regularly.  They  also  provide  many  social competitions for babies to go their  mindset. In this report we are looking to focus of Nestle Singapore is to segment,  target  the  major  customers  and  to  position  of  their  profitable products. The relevant information is given below:- Market  Segmentation: The marketing concept asks for  understanding customers requirements and satisfying their  requirements and needs better than the others do. But many customers have different requirements and it hardly chance to satisfy all customers by treating them same just like. Market segmentation is the searching of part of the market that are not similar from other. Segmentation provides the firm to good satisfy the needs of its major customers. 1.  Clearer  understanding  of  the  requirements  and  needs  of  selected  customer  groups. 2. More effective positioning in this place. 3. Greater precision in selecting  promotional Transportation vehicles and techniques. Bases for  Segmentation: Users markets can be divided on the basis of these customer characteristics. 1. Geographic area 2. Demographic area 3. Psychographic area 4. Behavioral area Geographic: Nature: Nestlà © Singapore segmented its market for Nescafe Ice  depends on the geographic weather: warm hot and cold.   Nescafe Ice: A coffee which may be consume with ice. During warm season consumers making this coffee with normal, chilled or cold water mixing ice cube to  bring freshness in their body. Demographic Age: Nestlà © segmented market area for its main products based on the genration. For  the products Cerelac, Lectogen, Koko Krunch, Nido, Nestle divided the market area segment for new born baby and  children of different ages. Nido It is  nutritious milk specially makes for children 2 years onwards. It includes 25 minerals and vitamin D which helps childs growth. Cerelac : Nestle also provide cerelac for new aged baby. It contains milk and rice mixture for less than one  years baby. It fulfills babys proper nutrition in foods. Nesquick, Koko Krunch : above are chocolate milk for babies. Nesquick  and Koko krunch contain childs required growth. Its very sweet and delicious and also includes vitamin protein, mineral. Lactogen : Nestle Singapore brings full cream milk powder in the country. It gives baby required nutrition. Lactogen one is for childs whose age not more than 6months and lectogen 3 is for babies whose age  is below 1 year. Income : Nestle segmented their market based on customers earnings in an effective way. Occupation :  Nestle  segmented  the  market  based  on  their  users occupation. Nescafe classic : This product is for that type of persons those who work busy and hard and requireds more freshness. Both the male and  female who need more caffeine and this type of needs Nescafe classic is for them. Psychographic: Life  style  and  personality:  Nestle  Singapore  provides  KIT  KAT  these  people who really want to taste and enjoy chocolate. Nestle Nescafe 3 in 1 is for specially those users and customers who are really ingaged in activity and do not have more time. They can use by taking Nescafe 3 in 1.All the things are mixed sugar, milk and coffee. Behavioral Benefits Based on benefits Nestle Singapore segmented their market in an efficient way. So they make available Cerelac for those customers who want more  profit from the product. Cerelac includes  a high nutrition for babys whose age is less than 1 year. Two very important things rice and milk remain added in cerelac. On the other part, cerelac includes vitamin, more mineral and all major useful nutritious elements for babies.   Target Marketing: Market segmentation reveals the firms market opportunities. Then the firmsort  market  targeting  by  evaluating  the  many types  market  segments  and deciding which and in which quantity segments it will target.   Nestle examined the different type of market segments on the basis of  segment  size  and  growth,  segments,  structural  attractiveness,  and Nestle objectives and resources and decided to introduced their operation whole of Singapore country. Nestle distributes their target market because of having unique requirements and wants.  Nestle Singapore selected their  target market into two market coverage policy: Differentiated : Nestle also choose the differentiated marketing. He provides different product for many segments based on different ages, occupation, season and climate of Singapore. Nescafe 3 in 1 : Coffee for customers who are busy in life. Koko  Krunch,  Nesquick   :  Chocolate  milk  who  want  to  get  taste  of  real chocolate. Nescafe Ice : Cold coffee for the customer in hot and warm weather. Concentrated: Through concentrated marketing, Nestlà © earned a strong market position because of its very good knowledge of consumer requirement. In theniches  it  serves  and  special  reputation  it  acquires.  Nestlà ©Ã‚  specializes  in  producing baby foods. It offers nutritious milk powder Lectogen 1 for  babies whose age is less than 7 months and lectogen 3 for babies whose age is not more than 12month. It also make available baby nutrition cerelac for baby more than 12 months. Positioning Strategy: By  creating  product,  service,  channel,  people  and  image  differentiation  Nestle arrives the consumer touch point more easily, effectively efficiently in comparing with other competitors in the highly competitive food processing market. Product  Differentiation : Nestle brings a many of  product for target customers.   They make available 25 types of minerals in Nido for children. It also arranged Cereals  and  Lactogen 1  3  for  newly  born  baby  exclusively.   Now  the doctors says these products for childs to their parents for great maximum nutrition  Nescafe  is  a  product  which  contains  4  types  of  categories.  They  offer  Ã‚  Nescafe ice for hot and warm weather, They  provide  Maggi  including  Maggi  instant;  Maggi  2  minutes  which Includes and contain various minerals, vitamins and nutritions. Channel  Differentiation :  Nestle  reach  their  products  to  the  customersthrough  their  experienced  market  salesman  and  transportation.  So  that  their  Ã‚  products. are much easy to  their customers. Image  differentiation Nestlà ©s logo is  totally different from others competitors that are greatly choices by its users. For that way customer easily choose them in the  market which is another effective benifits for Nestle products. People differentiation The company has a large number of manpowers that are highly educated and trained. In Singapore, 400 employees are employed in market Company chairman; They are running this  business successfully for a long time. Service  differentiation Another  advantage  for  this  company  is  better  service for its respective users from its competitors. They provide 247  hot  line  service.  High  quality  checking  is  providing for  its customers. Its marketing dept. and public relation dept. are working for  finding out customers new needs and  response toward their nestle products. Positioning Statement Baby  Products To  babies  who  are  deprived  of  proper  nutrition,Nido,Cerelac,Lactogen are the very nutritious milk Product that provide you more use full nutrition different from any other brand because these includes different types of vitamin, mineral etc. GOOD FOOD for GOOD LIFE Conclusion The advent of consumer food products has brought an immense change in the field in the consumers food habit. Nestle has done well to adding its  customers  loyalty  operating  as  a  market  competitors  in  its industry. Nestle  is  one  of  the  largest  food  processing  company. Their products and quality mainly includes on their experience and efficiency.  Nestle provides quality that leads to good business growth and good development.It  has  segmented  the  market  based  on  certain  clustered  preferencesdeploying multi-stage segmentation approach to meet individual requirements of  the customers. Offering brand new products would also close its old products gaps to a great extend promise satisfaction and loyalty. In our report, we contribute to make available the segmentation, target marketing and  positioning  strategy  of  Nestle  and  suggest  some recommendations based on the marketing procedure.   IMC Stratgies PROMOTION Promotion activities perform a major role in re-launching any product. Addition in target market is make sure by personal selling. It adds persons in small stores describe the benefits to important customers about importance of milk in standard  packed form. Awareness performs the most important role. They should taste housewives on many places. Because they are the main servers of such kind of  nutritional diets to  their members of family. There are many promotional methods like personal sales, advertisements, sales  promotions, public relations etc.  but the method accepted by  Nestlà © for introducing  Nestlà © UHT Milk was advertising, outside printed media for advertising like, hording board, newspaper, posters outdoor etc.  Nestlà ©Ã‚  seeing the  old  customer  of  the  imported brands  and  potentials customers via its advertising promotions. In their advertisement, Nestlà © mostly focus the small kids who are the major  Ã‚  portion of our population and milk and such kinds of  Products  are  main  requirement  of  enhancing ability in  children  that  the  reason  Nestle launched  Nesvita  Milk  product especially  designed  for  younger  children  because addition of calcium diets in  routine diet chart is main  requirement. To remind the consumers about the nestle, Nestlà © also made some special platform for retailers and hold them on t heir shops and as make difference to other milk providing companies running in the country Nestle shows always attracting messages to feels customers that always drink milk but only I  real form . RE LAUNCHING large number of  competitors Nestle takes decisions to re-launch it product with different new packing. It was an opportunity for Nestle to control the market in that a way  that it will introduce. its all the discrepancies such as  shortage, inflation based pricings which given opportunity to the competitors to control the market. BELOW THE LINE Below the line includes following  mediums of advertisement. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Direct mail to users   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Outdoor  advertising à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Through Transit   DIRECT MAIL ADVERTISING It  is  any form  of  advertising  present  directly  to  the  new comers,  this can be  through the mail, fax, online computer services, sales personnels, retailers or  other means rather than through traditional mass  media. Leaflets/ flyers Nestle has distributes many types of leaflets, which inform information about Nestle Milk products, at different outlets. Folders / brochures Nestle distributes brochures of their product to their users through internet to make them inform of new research and innovations and products. This helps nestle in adding more customers. OUTDOOR Nestle expenses a big share of  their advertisement budget on the outdoor  advertisement in Singapore, which includes   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Painted Billboards at different places à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢MMT in various locations à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Vinyl Sheets located in public places à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ They have put on different themes of them, which are presenting different situations in which people  are  using  real  water.  According  to  the  NESTLE they  perform heavy outdoor advertisement to aware people about the presence of their product due to it is a product for which consumer never pre-determined plan to purchase it so to encourage them for the purchase of Nestle Milk Products they have to place billboards.  Beside  this  they rotate  the  posters  of  their  billboards  after  some months the reason for this is that users not interest in those themes when they see it for a longer time so when they exchange them and place the new different one that create the interest among the  people. TRANSIT ADVERTISING Transit advertising is a type of public places out of private media that adding bus and taxicab  advertising  as  well  as  posters  on  transit  places, Bus  terminals,  and Display at airports .Types of  transit advertising à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Inside cards in public transports à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Outside posters on Vehicles à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Terminal  posters at various locations à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Taxi / bus walls. Nestle 2010 Creating affordable access to protein [online] Available from: http://www.nestle.com/CSV/CSVinAction/SlideShows/essentialprotein/essentialprotein.htm Nestle 2010 Press Release [online] Available from: http://www.nestle.com/MediaCenter/PressReleases/AllPressReleases/NovartisMedicalNutrit http://www.nestle.com/Resource.axd?Id=602C42FE-04D6-4669-BEE1-1027492FE5E8 http://www.nestle.com/AllAbout/AtGlance/Introduction/Introduction.htm Vanhuele, M., Dreze, X., (2002). Measuring the Price Knowledge Shoppers Bring to the Store.Journal of Marketing. 66 (dhs), 72. Peter, J. P., Donnelly, J. H (2004).Marketing Management: Knowledge and Skills. 7th ed. China: McGraw Hill Book Co. 145. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/movers_and_shakers/article6639144.ece?token=nulloffset=12page=2

Nursing Shortage: Impacts and Strategies

Nursing Shortage: Impacts and Strategies The Nursing Shortage Steven Donahue Introduction According to research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in December of 2013, the United States is at the precipous of a substantial nursing shortage. Their study indicated that the registered nurse (RN) workforce is expected to grow from 2.71 million jobs in 2012 to approximately 3.24 million in 2022, a 19% increase. This considerable growth coupled with an estimated 525,000 nurses retiring within the same time frame, brings the total of nursing openings to just over one-million jobs (1). The shortage is projected to spread across the country, but be most intense in the South and West regions (1, United Stated Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card). Other professions often endure similar reports about workforce shortages, but shortages specifically affecting the nursing profession are persistent and cyclical. The history of nursing shortages can be linked back to the beginning of nursing as a profession and the first nursing diploma schools, founded in 1873. These diploma schools focused on apprenticeship, and gave young women an opportunity for financial independence and solid employment that was previously not accessible. Physicians and hospitals soon realized the young nurses were a cheap source of labor, and further recruited upper and upper-middle class society for possible nursing candidates. â€Å"It may be argued that the first nursing shortage in the U.S. occurred when hospital training schools found the supply from the upper strata of society had evaporated† (3), and the hospitals were required to scramble and recruit nurses with different economic and cultural backgrounds. Nursing shortages were also prevalent between the years of 1932 and 1952, and exacerbated by the World War II which highlighted an increased need for competent nursing care. In 1943, Congress passed legislation to create the Cadet Nurse Corps, which helped provide an influx of proficient nurses during this shortage. It is estimated that students who graduated form the Cadet Corps provided nearly 80% of the care of hospitalized patents during World War II (3). Documented nursing shortages also occurred in the early 1960’s, early 1980’s, and twice in the 1990’s. Cut? The cause of more recent nursing shortages have become more complex and difficult to define. Research by Goldfarb et. al. in 2008 described two standards to to define a nursing shortage. First, a shortage occurs when there is not enough nurses to provide a certain level of quality care. Secondly, a nursing shortage exists when there are not enough nurses to fill open positions. Based on this description, the current situation can be simplified and more easily defined as a nursing shortage. The causes, impacts, and potential solutions for the current nursing shortage will be further explored. Factors Affecting the Nursing Shortage Societal Demographics A major cause for the nursing shortage is be related to the increased damand required to care for the aging baby boomer population. Members of the baby boomer generation were born roughly between 1946 and 1964 and created a demographic bubble. Between the years of 2008 and 2018, the 55-year old plus demographic is expected to grow more rapidly than any other age group, and will account for a larger share of the total population (9). Figure 1 below illustrates the age distribution and median age from 1960 to 2010 in the United States, and highlights the increasing median age associated with the baby boomer generation. This demographic disparity will create a challenge for healthcare providers, and require a proportional increase in the professional nursing workforce to accommodate the rising elderly population(4). Figure 1. Age distribution and median age: 1960 to 2010 (SOURCE) Demographics of Current Nursing Workforce The current nursing workforce demographics nearly mirror the United States demographics as a whole. According to a survey conducted in 2013, 55% of the registered nursing workforce is age 50 or older (1, #6), and only 14.8% of nurses are aged 30 or younger. The current nursing shortage was further complicated by the 2008 economic collapse. The economic collapse had devastating effects on personal finances, with figures showing an average loss of more than 25% of individuals 401K’s for those nearing retirement (aged 56-65) (http://www.ebri.org/pdf/briefspdf/EBRI_IB_2-2009_Crisis-Impct.pdf). This forced many older nurses to remain in their current positions, or required part-time nurses to return to full-time employment. Statistics showed that the downturn in the economy lead to an easing in the shortage in many parts of the country (1), but this is only temporary and may intensify the shortage after these nurses decide to retire. Nursing Faculty Shortage There are a variety of reasons for the current nurse faculty shortage. First, the average age of nuring faculty also nearly mirrors the United States demographics as a whole. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN), the average doctorally prepared professor is 56.8 years old, and the average master’s degree nursing faculty is 55.1 years old. (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage). As a wave of retirements over the next decade hits academia, the replacements are both scarce and advanced in age. Salary differentials between nursing educators and those with similar credentials in the private sector is making it difficult to retain nursing educators. Data colleted in 2012 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that a Master’s prepared Nurse Practitioner earned a median salary of $92,670 while a Master’s prepared Associate Professor earned $72,590, a differential of approximately $20,000 (BLS website). This monetary difference, along with an increasingly high loan burden associated with attaining a graduate degree makes the private sector more enticing for new graduates with advanced degrees. The faculty shortage has had a significant affect on nursing school admission. The AACN conducted a survey in 2012 and determined that U.S. nursing schools turned away nearly 80,000 qualified undergraduate applicants due to a scarcity in faculty, clinical sites, and classroom space (1,#10). Two-thirds of of respondants indicated that faculty shortages were the number one reason for turning away qualified applicants. Furthermore, approximately 15,000 qualified applicants were turned away from graduate programs for the same reason. The nursing faculty shortage then becomes a two-pronged issue. The nursing shortage requires more nursing students, but a nursing faculty shortage creates limitations on how many students can be prepared for employment, and limits the ability to prepare future nursing educators. Working Conditions Wages The nature of the work, physical fatigue, orthopedic issues,and family strain due to working nights and weekends lead many nurses to leave the hospital setting or the profession altogether. In an era of litigation, nurses must also be cognizant that the individual, and not the system may be held liable in case of patient safety errors. This increased accountability without sufficient decision making authority leads to increased stress on the nursing workforce (4). The nursing profession is challenging and stressful, and many believe that the salary does not reflect the difficulty of the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries for registered nurses have increased only 4% between 2008 and 2014. While this stagnation may also be indicative of the 2008 economic collapse, the effect of the nursing shortage on wages may not be fully understood until the economy fully recovers. Nursing Shortage Implications The pinnacle concern of the nursing shortage is the effect that it may have on patient loads and quality of care. The growing elderly population coupled with the a shortage of nurses will lead to an increase in patient loads. Numerous studies have indicated that higher patient loads lead to a riskier environment for the patient. A study published in 2011 by Dr. Jack Needleman analyzed the records of 197,961 patients, and found that the mortality rate increased from 1-6% if a facility was understaffed (http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMsa1001025). Another study in 2011 indicated that when the hours per patient day was high (an indicator of proper staffing), the incidents of congestive heart failure, failure to rescue, infections, and prolonged lengths of hospital stays decreased (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21407034). Lastly, a study conducted in 2013 observed the relationship between higher patient loads and readmission rates of pediatric patients. The research showed th at when the ratio was adjusted by just one patient (5:1), the likelihood for readmission rose 11% (http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/22/9/735.full). An increase in readmission rates will further aggravate the problem of patient loads, and has a heavy economic toll. While increased patient loads effect the overall quality of care, they also adversely effect the working conditions of nurses. In a survey conducted in 2005, 75% of respondents believed that the nursing shortage will effect their quality of work and limit the amount of time they can spend with patients. Additionally, 93% of those surveyed believe that the effects of the nursing shortage will cause nurses to leave the profession (1,#11). Another study in 2012 concluded that nurses were likely to attribute staffing insufficiencies as a major factor in job dissatisfaction, stress and burnout. The nursing shortage will ultimately effect patient loads, working conditions, and quality care for the patients in all nursing sectors. If propoer strategies are not developed, the increased stress associated with the shortage may lead to greater turnover in the profession, which only compounds the shortage issue. Strategies to Address the Nursing Shortage Addressing the General Nursing Shortage One way to entice new nurses in to the field has been to make the cost of education more affordable. On the federal level, the Nursing Education Loan Repayement program has been initiated and pays for 60% of a students loans in exchange for a two year commitment to a geographic area determined to have a critical shortage. Many hospitals have reimbursement programs for nurses looking to advance their education in exchange for a future working commitment. While this may entice more new nurses, economists warn that government and other subsidies may interfere with the free market, and may actually depress nursing wages. One possible solution to the free market interference is pay for performance programs. Rather than give subsidies to specific nursing students, pay for performance programs give subsidies to facilities that provide a high quality of care. Since quality care is intinsically tied to nursing performance, this would increase the economic value of nurses, thus improving wages , work environments, and retention (3). In addition to nursing faculty shortages, insufficient clinical sites play a huge role in limiting the student capacity of nursing schools. Increased coordination and strategic partnerships between universities and the private sector can help expand student enrollment. For instance, a joint venture between the Minnesota VA Health Care System and the University of Minnesota in 2013 has helped expand the schools BSN program. In this agreement, the VA committed $5.3 million dollars to expanding clinical placement sites within their facilities and funded additional faculty for the University. By teaming with the University of Minnesota, the VA received enhanced care for their patients. A better work environment can help attract new nurses and limit the amount of nurses who â€Å"burn-out† and leave the profession. Strategies to better the nursing work environment must focus on the emotional and physical stresses of the profession. Research has shown that limiting heavy lifting, decreasing walking, and providing easy access to equipment and information will keep nurses from leaving the profession (From #4 Goodin, 2003) Additionally, â€Å"increasing autonomy, re-allocating work in a more patient centered way, creating systems to recognize achievement in the areas of mentoring nurses, educating patients ans personal growth in practice, creating meaningful internal labor markets, and enhancing supervisor and administrative reports† (Morgan and Lynn, 2009). In order to combat further nursing turnover and burn-out, hospitals and nursing facilities must focus on nurturing an environment that provides these qualities. This is even more important when increas ed nursing turnover costs hospitals millions of dollars per year in recruiting and training new nurses. Further research in 2009 found that organizational constraints and high patient loads adversely affected job satisfaction. Supporters of mandated patient-nurse ratios believe that mandatory ratios will increase positive patient outcomes, increase job satisfaction, and ultimately combat the nursing shortage. Currently, thirteen states have staffing laws for hospitals, but only California has mandated minimum nurse-patient ratios. It should be noted that the American Nurses Association does not necessary support mandated patient-nurse ratios, but rather supports a legislation model which empowers the nurses to create staffing plans specific to each unit, giving the nurses autonomy to make staffing decisions that are best given the fluidity of hospital admissions (http://www.nursingworld.org/mainmenucategories/policy-advocacy/state/legislative-agenda-reports/state-staffingplansratios). Addressing the Nursing Faculty Shortage One major issue plaguing the nursing faculty shortage is the inability to recruit BSN prepared nurses in to the education realm, and has been noticed on both the state and federal level. In January of 2014, Wisonsin announced the â€Å"Nurses for Wisconsin Initiative†, which provided 3.2 million dollars in fellowships and loan forgiveness for nurses who agreed to pursue advanced degrees in nursing education and teach in the state after graduation (1). On the federal level, in December of 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided 45.4 million dollars in funding to provide low interest-loans for nurses pursuing nurse education degrees (Macdonald, 2013 see citation below). In order to attract more nursing educators, the pay discrepancy between the private sector and nursing educators must be addressed. References Budryk, Z. (2013). Is there another way to solve the nursing shortage?. Newton: Questex Media LLC. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1466237287?accountid=3588? Clark, R. C., Allison-Jones, L. (2011). Investing in Human Capital: An academic-service partnership to address the nursing shortage. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(1), 18-21. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/89382362?accountid=3588? Dolan, Tamara B., RN, M.S.N., O.C.N. (2011). Has the nursing shortage come to an end? ONS Connect, 26(8), 8-12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/885241529?accountid=3588? Fox, R. L., PhD., Abrahamson, Kathleen, PhD., R.N. (2009). A critical examination of the U.S. nursing shortage: Contributing factors, public policy implications. Nursing Forum, 44(4), 235-44. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195019237?accountid=3588? Keeping nurses on the job: Retention is part of the answer to the nursing shortage. (2010). AANA Journal, 64(6), 8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/747116085?accountid3588? MacDonald, I. (2013). The nursing shortage: Myth or reality?. Newton: Questex Media Group LLC. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1467698816?accountid=3588? McNamara, M. (2009). Combating the nursing shortage. American Nurse, 41(2), 14. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/205506517?accountid=3588? Miovski, Natalie, AIA, L.E.E.D.A.P. (2009). Healing the nursing shortage with staff-friendly design. Healthcare Design, 9(8), 66-69. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195019237?accountid=3588? Schaeffer, R. (2013). The nursing shortage†¦.fact or fiction? Arizona Nurse, 66(2), 3. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1365796219?accountid=3588? Talbert, JeanAnne Johnson, APRN-BC, FNP, MSN, A.O.C.N., D.H.A. (2009). Distance education: One solution to the nursing shortage? Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 13(3), 269-70. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/222754879?accountid=3588? References (cont.) Vioral, Anna N., MSN, M.Ed., R.N., (2011). Filling the gaps: Immersing student nurses in specialty nursing and professional associations. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 42(9), 415-20. doi:10.3928/00220124-20110601-01 Wynn, Stephanie D, DNP, R.N.-B.C., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C. (2013). Addresing the nursing workforce shortage: Veterans as mental health nurses. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing Mental Health Services, 51(12), 3-4. doi:10.3928/02793695-20131029-05

Personal Narrative - A Journey :: Personal Narrative Writing

A Journey I am by myself wearing my blue jeans and an old flannel shirt. It is cool outside but I decided to leave my gloves at home, feeling comfortable with my warm shirt and my sturdy boots. It is just me and the woods. I take nothing with me when I leave, because I know that I won't be gone too long. It is early fall so it is cool outside but not cold. I am back on teh east coast walking through the woods of the Appalachins. The leaves have begun turning colors so there is a beautiful aray of oranges, yellows, greens, and reds. The red colors of the leaves remind me of the maple trees that used to be outside of my house. I remember looking at the red leaves on those trees the evening of our homecoming football game when Paul came over. The floor of the forest is damp but not muddy. There are moss covered stones that litter the path I am walking. Some of them are loose, and others are firmly embedded in the ground. For the most part they are the rocks that you have to watch out for when your are running a cross-country race so that you do not sprain your ankle. They are the type of rocks that are annoying at picnics and camp fires because they are not big enough to sit on and too big to move. I keep walking because I know that ahead of me is a small stream where I can quietly sit and listen to the water. It is small enough that some rocks portrude above the water and I could walk across if I wanted to. As I walk towards the stream I see a bottle that is empty and crushed. At one point it had been a bottle filled with mineral water for someone who had been hiking through the woods on a health trip. When I see it I don't stop to pick it up, but I make a mental note of its locations so I can grab it on my way back. Once I reach the stream I sit on a rock and watch the water tumble over and around the stones in the creek bed. As I sit there a deer appears on the other side of the stream. Not a buck, but just a standard doe.

Metaphors For War :: essays research papers

The use of metaphors are an important factor with any piece of literature. Metaphors add color to creative writings, also establishing depth. A story without metaphors is lifeless, unable to compose another way to view it. The term for a metaphor is a figure of speech in which term is transferred to something it does not literally apply to, this helps the brain create a mental picture which the person might easily understand what the character is feeling. When a person finally makes the connection between the metaphor and the idea, the story takes a deeper meaning. In the story by E.M. Remarque, 'All Quiet on the Western Front', you see a vast quantity of metaphors to connect the characters thoughts together. While reading this book, you may decide to ignore the metaphors, by not truly understanding the meaning they portray. In this, you fail to grasp the emotions that the author relates to you in the tale of the soldiers of the book. If you take the time to appreciate what the author writes by using metaphors the story will be more enjoyable. Understanding metaphors is not always easy, many people get similes and metaphors mixed up. A simile is nothing more then a baby metaphor. You must be able to pick out a metaphor in the story, no matter how minuscule. For even though it may appear small, it might be a lead to another far bigger metaphor. Through this, the intended meaning will appear. When Paul the main character, refers to the front as a whirlpool, this is quite a large metaphor, with a deeply rooted meaning. "To me the front is a mysterious whirlpool. Though I am in still water far away from its centre, I feel the whirl of the vortex sucking me slowly, irresistibly, inescapably into itself" (Ch.4,Pg55) This is saying that though he is not even close to the front, he still feels the effects from his position. It creates the mental picture that Paul is a boat in a large ocean, and far in the distance the whirlpool is barely seen on the horizon. Though slowly, maybe without him even realizing it, he is being pulled towards the whirlpool. This is an example of a metaphor and the mental images it creates to help people understand the book. The author also has a cage represent the front, "The front is a cage in which we must await fearfully

Adding International Perspectives to Vocational Education Essay

Adding International Perspectives to Vocational Education International work opportunities are increasing as the borders of the U.S. economy expand to embrace international markets. Future workers will need to develop global awareness and an understanding of competitive, cultural, and economic factors that influence ways of doing business in order to work in the international arena. This Digest examines the instructional approaches and strategies used in vocational education to prepare students to work in a global environment. The Industrial Age expanded the vision of U.S. workers beyond their local communities to the country's national borders. The current Information Age moves the focus to global boundaries. To meet the competitive challenges of a global economy, businesses are looking for workers who have cross-cultural knowledge; intercultural communication skills, and an awareness of the political, geographical, and technological conditions that influence work in other countries (Hart et al. 1994; Philpott 1994). In a survey to elicit chief executive officers' expectations of collegiate international business preparation, "84% of the chief executive officers indicated that 'global awareness' is a key ingredient of international business expertise" (Hart et al. 1994, p. 104). The preparation of individuals for work in a global economy is a challenge to educational institutions. Considering the limited international experience of most students, the challenge is formidable. Smith and Steward (1995) contrast the cross-cultural education experiences of U.S. students to those of students from other countries. They note that "currently there are 240,000 Asians studying in the U.S. and less than 5,000 U. S. students stud... ...chool, and Community." Business Education Forum 49, no. 3 (February 1995): 44-47. Pachnowski, L. "The Internet: A Powerful Resource for Educators." Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Educational Research Association, Boston, MA, February 1996. (ED 393 447) Philpott, M. "Business Beyond Our Borders: An Integrated Approach." Business Education Forum 48, no. 3 (February 1994): 21-25. Smith, M. O., and Steward, J. F. "Communication for a Global Economy." Business Education Forum 49, no. 4 (April 1995): 25-28. Sutliff, L. "The English Translation." Vocational Education Journal 71, no. 4 (April 1996): 38-39, 57. Wismer, J. N. "Training for Trade: Role of American Community Colleges." Paper presented at a conference of the American Council on International and Intercultural Education, Colorado Springs, CO, April 21, 1994. (ED 371 789)

Whistleblowing and the Consequences

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