Leadership, Teambuilding, and Communication Essay - 1

Leadership, Teambuilding, and Communication - Essay Example It distinguishes the causes of group conflicts in organizations from structural and personal factors, its broad consequences on individuals’ groups and entire organizations that are either functional or dysfunctional, and gives strategies for conflict resolution in the organization. Finally, the paper evaluates the traditional (trait, contemporary and behavior) approach, contemporary (organizational, educational, transformational and strategic leadership) approach, and emerging approaches to leadership stating how they impact on the organizational performance. Keywords: Organization, Group, Team, Conflicts, Traditional and Contemporary Approach, Communication, Sender, Receiver, Technology, Stress, Environment Workplace Stress Stress is a major challenge for individuals and organizations performance, due to its effect that may cause negative reactions if left unattended. It exists to interfere with performance, mounting pressure or various demands on individuals that they end u p giving negative reactions, when their capability to cope with the situation is exceeded by the impact of the cause. The causes can be of different factors and situations grouped into those related to work content (e.g. Long working durations and work overload), social context of work (relations and interactions in handling responsibilities) and organizational context of the work, dealing with the effectiveness of organizational changes and structure in performance and working environment (Michie, 2002). Generally, simple activities and situations, like an organization that is not concerned with the working conditions of employees could cause stresses that may pose a health hazard. Assigning an individual worker various tasks to be completed within an impractical duration, so as to minimize costs or workplace bullying on employees can result into stress. There are immediate varying responses to exposure to stress that influence the individual’s behavior based on their psycho logical effect, mood, feelings, and psychical conduct. For example, stress resulting from bullying in the work environment can make some workers to retaliate in aggression, lose focus due to humiliation, become irritated, or even unmotivated. Workloads can make employees suffer from fatigue or even be uneasy, especially when deadlines are closer. In critical cases, depression and frequent headaches do occur when stress is severe. Stress impacts on employees’ physical and psychological capability, ending up lowering performance in the organization as a result of less productivity, competitiveness, creativity, and efficiency (â€Å"The Impact,† 2013). Issues causing poor concentration may lead to accidents in the organization, which may cost the management to cater for employees’ health, hire new staff, or even repair unplanned damages in organizations. Individuals and organizations need to make efforts to prevent and manage stress, as a way of ensuring safety and health in workplaces. Some approaches that can support such activities in the organization include; facilitating conducive working environment, recreational activities for employees, and clear definition of roles and channels of communication, to prevent factors causing stress like repetitive strain injuries and conflicts in

The Turn of the Screw Essay Example for Free

The Turn of the Screw Essay With detailed reference to Marxist debates about the relationship between literature and ideology, examine the ways in which The Turn of the Screw can be read as reinforcing, and/or undermining dominate modes of thinking. Within this assignment, I intend on providing a detailed analysis of Henry James novel The Turn Of The Screw in relation to Marxists debates over the relationship of Literature and Ideology. Through this close analysis, I will be showing the main concepts of a Marxist perspective in relation to The Turn Of The Screw and how this contributes in the creation of the notion of Literature and Ideology. In order to achieve this, it is crucial to gain an understanding of the notion of Literature and Ideology. In order to gain an appreciation of the term of Ideology, it would be important to consider the work conducted by Terry Eagleton1, this can be achieved through the statement that Ideology provides lucid accounts of major Marxist thinkers, and examines the thought of non-Marxist theorists such as Schopenhauer, Nietzasche, Frued and the poststructulists2. From this, it is possible to interpret the notion that Ideology presents a new way of thinking for Eagleton and thus is presented with ideas surrounding Poststructulism3, Nietzasche4, and Schopenhauer5. In relation to the question, it is possible to argue that through using the Ideological perspective of Marxism, we will be examining Henry James novel of The Turn of the Screw from a new approach. Firstly, it is imperative that we gain an understanding of the term of Marxism and how this holds a relationship to Henry Jamess novel The Turn of the Screw. Marxism was developed by the German philosopher Karl Marx and also the German sociologist Frederich Engles6 (1820-95), which they themselves called their economic theories Communism (rather that Marxism), designating their belief in the state ownership of industry, etc, rather than private ownership7. From this, it is possible to debate that Marxism dose have relevance in regards to Ideology, as it is presenting a new mode of thinking upon German society. Furthermore, if we take into consideration that The simplest Marxist model of society sees it as constituted by a base (the material means of production, distribution, and exchange) and a superstructure, which is the cultural world of ideas, art, religion8 it is possible to argue that Marxist through analysis society in relation to all members of society considered as equals and thus bringing about a classless society. In addition to this, he also argued that it is only philosophical ideas, which make up the superstructure and therefore underpinning his ideological belief that there is a class structure within the society. One of the most important arguments that is raised in relation to Henry James novel The Turn of the Screw and the notions that is associated with Marxism, it is possible to argue that Henry James is underpinning the modes of Marxism. This is clearly evident within the characterisation of Miles and the quotation of: She was the most agreeable women Ive ever known in her position9. From this particular quotation, it is possible to argue that Miles encompasses the attributes, which reinforcing the notions of Marxism, as he is enforcing the hierarchy that exists within the class structure. The reason for this is although he is acknowledging that there a division of class dose exist within the context of the novel, however, through his description of her being the most agreeable women10, he is showing a likeness to the qualities that she possess within her and is automatically disregarding the social hieratical differences that exist between them both. In relation to this particular quotation, it is possible to argue that through the character of Miles, Henry James is acknowledging the work conducted by the French structuralist Marxist, Louis Althusser11 (1918-1990). His work was mainly centred on the analysis of what he termed the state and the subject and through this work; he provided clear distinctions between the terms of ideologies, which he said was mainly historical and social, and ideology, which he denoted as the main structure of the society in which we live in. From this distinction, he made the acknowledgment that within civilised society, there is a need for a number of employees, which are low and middle classes and also there is a need for employers. Within this distinction, Althusser provided the term of willing subjects for those workers who worked within manual labour that were able to be employed by the employers and provided them with the term of Interpellation. From this it is possible to see that through the use of Interpellation, we do take into consideration class structures, as it ultimately defining the differences from Working Classes and Middle Classes. Because of this factor, it is possible to say that it is showing the binary opposition of the notion of Marxism and therefore it is showing a new Ideology. In regards to Henry James novel The Turn of the Screw, it is possible to suggest that the term of Interpellation is evident through the representation of the servants at Bly in comparison to such characters as the Master and Miss Jessel, this is clearly evident within the quotation of: Mrs. Grose, since then, in a way of manners and things, had done as she could for Flora; and there were, further, a cook, a housemaid, a diarywoman, an old woman, an old groom and an old gardener, all likewise thoroughly respectable.12 From this particular quotation, it is possible to argue that it is clearly demonstrating the concept of Interpellation, as it is showing the collective representation of the working class community within the house of Bly and also a clear distinction between themselves and the Master. In relation to the question, it is therefore possible to argue that it is disregarding the notion of Marxism. However, it is a clear demonstration of Ideology and therefore it is possible to suggest that through the medium of literature, authors such as Henry James are able to express different interpretations and therefore it is possible to argue that literature on a whole is means to show ideological expression. Another important argument provided by Althusser was the meaning of words, which he suggested that words do not reflect the world, but produces a perception of it. From this, it is possible to argue that term of Interpellation is another way of viewing the world. In relation to Henry James novel, The Turn Of The Screw, it is possible to argue that through the relationship that exists between Miles and the Governess, Henry James is demonstrating the notion of Interpellation, this is evident within the quotation of: I pressed again, of course, the closer for that. You are reminded that Quint was only a base menial?13. From this particular quotation, it is possible to argue that this is clearly showing the notion of Interpellation, as it is reinforcing the class differences that exist between the characters of Miles and Quint. However, it is also possible to suggest that this particular quotation is a demonstration of the Governesses influence over Miles, as she is reinforcing the notion of Interpellation into Miles as an attempt to over-rule his own Marxist perspective on life. The reason for this might be due to the fact that she comes from a lower class then the family, and she feels that they should not mix with the lower classes. From this, it might be important to take into consideration the work conducted by the Italian writer Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937)14, in particular, the importance of Hegemony. The notion of Hegemony involves a low regime sustains power within society; this can be achieved through either consent, which is the role of persuasion or enforce, which is the role of gaining power through force. This is clearly evident within Henry James novel, The Turn of the Screw, and the quotation of: He has put them in possession of Bly, which was healthy and secure, and had placed at the head of their little establishment but below stairs only- an excellent women, Ms Grose15 As you are able to see from the quotation that I have provided, it is possible to argue that within the household at Bly, Antonio Gramscis notion of Hegemony has been put to full effect and therefore it is creating a class rank within the novel in regards to a hierarchal structure of the household. Therefore, in relation to the original question, it is possible to argue that this particular extract of Henry James novel is undermining the dominant modes of Marxist thought, and presenting a new ideology in relation to the structure of class and society. Another issue that we might take into consideration in regards to the notions of Marxism and the characterisation of Miles is his relationship with Quint. Through their friendship, Miles is disregarding the status structures within society and thus is being as Marxist himself, this is evident within the quotation of: It was neither nor less then the particular fact that for a period of several months Quint and the boy had been perpetually together.16 From this particular quotation, it is possible to see the qualities in which Miles characterisation processes, which is to disregard the attributes that is associated with the class structure, and thus making it possible for his to befriend who ever he wishes. Through this, it is possible to argue that Miles is echoing the work conducted by Louis Althusser. In conclusion, it is possible to suggest that the relationship between Literature and Ideology in regards to how they comment upon Marxist debates, is that it allows the authors to choose an Ideological perspective and use their novel as a demonstration of the particular perspective. Through the use of Marxism, it is possible to suggest that we are able to comprehend the issues that are presented within Henry James novel and this allows use, the critic, to use the novel as a clear demonstration of the issues that presents the key aspects of Marxism and thus makes it easier for use to comprehend. Bibliography Within this assignment, I have used the following books: 1. Peter Barry Beginning Theory An Introduction To Literary And Cultural Theory 2002 Manchester University Press 2. Henry James The Turn Of The Screw 1992 Bedford Books of St. Martins Press 3. Warren Montag Louis Althusser 2003 Palgrave Macmillen Within this assignment, I have used the following Internet search engines: 1. http://www.yahoo.com 2. http://www.yahoo.co.uk 3. http://www.google.co.uk/ 4. http://www.askjeeves.co.uk/ Within this assignment, I have used the following Internet articles: 1. Terry Eagleton Ideology An Introduction URL: http://www.versobooks.com/books/cdef/ef-titles/eagleton_ideology.shtml 21/10/03 2. Marry Klages Louis Althussers Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses URL: http://www.colorado.edu/English/ENGL2021Klages/1997althusser.html 24/10/03 3. Wikipedia Antonio Gramsci URL: http://en.mikipedia.org.wiki/Antonio_Gramsci 24/10/03 4. Richard Wolff Ideological State Apparatus URL: http://dogma.free.fr/txt/RW_IdeologicalApparatuses.htm 24/10/03 5. Louis Althussers Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses URL: http://www.colorado.edu/Egnlish/Engl2012Klages/althusse.html 24/10/03 6. Daisy Miller The Turn of the Screw URL: http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/turnscr2.asp 24/10/03 7. Richard Strickland Confrontational Pedagogy and the Introductory Literature Course URL: http://www.english.ilstu.edu/strickland/confront.html 24/10/03 Word count = 1656 1 Terry Eagleton is Thomas Warton, Professor of English at the University of Oxford. 2 This quotation was taken from an Internet article, which is fully referenced in my bibliography as number 1. 3 This was an approach to literature that, proceeding from the tenets of Structuralism, maintains that, as words have no absolute meaning, any texts is open to an unlimited amount of interpretations. 4 Notion presented by Friedrich Wilhelm, mainly surrounding the concept of the Superman and the rejection of traditional Christian values. 5 Notion presented by the German philosopher, he expounded the view that will is the creative primary factor and idea the secondary receptive factor. 6 German socialist leader and political leader. He collaborated with Marx on The Communist Manifesto (1840). 7 Peter Barry (ed), Beginning Theory An Introduction To Literary And Cultural Theory, Second Edition, (Manchester University Press, Manchester, Clays Ltd, 1992) Page 157, Lines 9 10. 8 Peter Barry (ed), Beginning Theory An Introduction To Literary And Cultural Theory, Second Edition, (Manchester University Press, Manchester, Clays Ltd, 1992) Page 157, Lines 2 3. 9 Henry James, The Turn Of The Screw, (Hampshire, Macmillan Press Ltd, 1997) Page 23, Lines 14-17 10 Henry James, The Turn Of The Screw, (Hampshire, Macmillan Press Ltd, 1997) Page 23, Line 14 11 French Marxist philosopher, author of For Marx (1965) and Reading Capital (1965). 12 Henry James, The Turn Of The Screw, (Hampshire, Macmillan Press Ltd, 1997) Page 26, Lines 25-28 13 Henry James, The Turn Of The Screw, (Hampshire, Macmillan Press Ltd, 1997) Page 23, Lines 20-21 14 Information obtained from an Internet article, which is fully referenced in my bibliography as number 3. 15 Henry James, The Turn Of The Screw, (Hampshire, Macmillan Press Ltd, 1997) Page 26, Lines 9-12 16 Henry James, The Turn Of The Screw, (Hampshire, Macmillan Press Ltd, 1997) Page 60, Lines 10-12

The Ebl Concept Essay Nursing Essay

The Ebl Concept Essay Nursing Essay The purpose of this essay is to elaborate on the Enquiry Based Learning presentation and discuss in depth the given concept. The concept given to my group is empathy to support this concept relevant literature will be used along with example experienced during my clinical placement. To maintain patients confidentiality pseudonym name will be used in the example. This is in line with the Nursing and Midwifery council code of conduct guideline (2010), which states that the people in our care have every right for their privacy and confidentiality. The EBL process will be reflected upon with supporting literatures and critically discussed using Gibbs (1988) model of reflection followed by a conclusion. Critical discussion Empathy is widely accepted as a basic component of all helpful relationships, including relationships in nursing practice (Williams Stickley, 2010). Walker Alligood (2001), criticised empathy in nursing as a concept borrowed from the Carl Rogers field of counselling psychology. Despite all these criticisms, it suggests that empathy will continue to be a fundamental concept in the nursing practice. According to Carl Rogers (1980) as cited by Vincent (2005), empathy can be describe as entering the private perceptual world of another person and becoming completely at home in it, being sensitive, moment by moment, to the changing felt meanings which flows in this other person, to the fear or whatever the person is experiencing. More specifically empathy forms part of the Carl Rogers core conditions along with genuiness and positive regard that are vital for the formation of relationships in counselling. According to Rogers (1980) as cited by Vincent (2005), being empathic is a complex, demanding and strong yet also a subtle and gentle- way of being. This is in contrast with the interpretation of empathy nursing literature. In nursing literature, empathy seems to be valued as a concept to be used alone rather than within a relationship that contains all the core conditions as used in counselling literature. In the nurse patient relationships, empathy is theorised as having therapeutic value and, as such, is promoted to nurses as being desirable ( McCabe, 2004). Empathy within the nursing relationship is defined as the ability to understand the patients situation, perspective and feelings, and to communicate that understanding to the patient (Coulehan et al. 2000 cited by Mercer and Reynolds, 2002). This definition emphasises that empathy is a way of perceiving, as well as a way of communicating. It has shifted the emphasis from a personality trait that individual possess to a form of interaction. This definition of empathy would also appear to be congruent with the cognitive and behavioural components of empathy alluded to by Morse et al. (1992). Following an extensive review of the literature, Morse et al. summarised the components of empathy under four key areas: moral, emotive, cognitive and behavioural. The moral element shows an internal altruistic force that motivates the practice of empathy, the emotive element shows the ability to subjectively experience and share in anothers psychological state, the cognitive element show the intellectual ability to identify and understand another persons feelings and perspective and the behavioural element shows the communicative response to convey understanding of anothers perspective. This shows that clinical empathy can be seen as a form of professional skills rather than personal characteristic (Mercer and Reynolds, 2002). Similarly, Rogers (1975) as cited by Vincent (2005) who tended to view empathy as an attitude highlighted the communicative part of the construct. This suggests that when attitudes and understanding are shown to the patient, empathy is skilled behaviour. Also Zoske et al. (1983) views empathy as an interpersonal skills, rather than being an instinctive quality possessed by individuals. In addition, Yu and Kirk (2008) also suggest that empathy can be taught as a skill and developed with practice and experience. In this context empathy is not only a way of being with another as stated by (Rogers, 1975) but it also communicates to the patients the professionals understanding of their world so that this perception can be validated by the patient. In effect, both are necessary and one without the other is rather hollow. Despite the differences between counselling and the nursing practice, what the empathy outcome research have shown is that even if nothing else happens with a patient, being exposed to an empathetic person who can accurately communicate that empathy can have a healing outcome on the patient health (Williams Stickley, 2010). Therefore, empathy can be a vital component of any nursing plan of care. For example, La Monica et al. (1987) explored the effect of nurses empathy on the anxiety, depression, hostility and satisfaction with care of clients with cancer. They found less anxiety, depression and hostility in clients being cared for by nurses exhibiting high empathy. Reynolds (2000), says to achieve above outcomes is dependent on the ability of the nurses to offer high levels of empathy to their patients. In addition Moore (2006) suggests that the connection between the patient and practitioner that facilitate a positive influence in treatment is empathy. According to Tschudin (1995), some people communicate their understanding of empathy through action, others might use words, and still others might use both to communicate empathy to the patient. For instance, a nurse can explain medical diagnosis and results to the patient in lay terms so that the patient can understand and feel in control of the situation. Researchers agreed on the positive role empathy plays in interpersonal relationships when providing health care. However, Hills Knowles (1983) reported that nurses do not show empathy by actually blocking clients expressions by changing the subject. It could be argued that nurses lack the skill to communicate empathy with their patient. Although, William (1992) said hospital systems seem conducive to flattening the humanity of its employees. Also Wong (2004), have questioned the importance of seeking to develop empathetic nurse patient relationship within busy acute healthcare settings. This suggests it might be difficult to develop an empathetic relationship in this setting. However, Yu and Kirk (2008) asserted that empathy can be taught as a skill and developed with practice and experience. Clinical placement example This example was when I had the opportunity to experience working as a student on a breast unit. The patient that are seen in this unit are those with breast cancer and those with family history of breast cancer. Joan came to the hospital for an appointment following her GP referral due to a painful lump on her breast. Joans both family have a history cancer, her mother died fourteen months before the day of her appointment and she lost her mothers younger sister 3 years ago to cancer also the fathers side have a history of bowel of cancer. I was chaperon the doctor whom Joan came to see and my mentor asked me to follow her up throughout her treatment. She has not seen the doctor before, but was so kind to her and understands how devastated Joan was. The doctor did physical examination on her breast and discovered the lump; he said it could be benign or cancerous. She realised that this was the same thing the doctor told her mother the first day she was diagnose. All the feelings of anxiety and distress came to her. The doctor requested her to for Scan and mammogram same day and come back to see him. Joan went to the nurse that book patients for investigations and the nurse quickly said sit down and continue looking at the computer screen. Joan sat in the chair facing the nurse, who still did not look up to see the anxiety on this patient. After sometime, she told Joan I will be with you in a minute; Joan sat still, waiting, but feeling apprehensive more and more. It became worse for the fact that she want to go for these investigations because she is having that gut feeling it could be cancer. I could see her anxiety levels rising and considering that she has history of panic attacks and depression. And hope she really she could hold it all together at that moment. The nurse been on her own and seems to have a lot of paper work to complete and feels that the paperwork got in the way of her relationship with patients at times. The nurse told Joan I need to ask some quick questions about her health and family history with a frown face. The nurse started with family history without still looking up to her patient and asked about her parents history. Joan said her father is alright and was silence when asked about her mother. The nurse looked up and was surprised to Joan crying and the anxiety on her face. Before the nurse realise what is happening Joan had run out from the room, saying she could not stay any longer. The nurse had no idea of what had just happened or why Joan was dismayed and felt that she must have done something to hurt her, but could not understand what she did to Joan. Discussion Judging from the above example, it is clear that the nurse was not able to form an empathetic relationship and unable to deliver empathetic care. Is not as if the nurse does not want to deliver an empathic care, but she was so preoccupied and focused on the paper work and also considering the fact she is the only one at that moment. The nurse did not communicate to the Joan as she should and did not even look up to see the anxiety on Joans face. According to La Monica et al. (1987) explored the effect of nurses empathy on the anxiety. They found out that patient exhibit less anxiety, depression being cared for by nurses exhibiting empathy. As stated by Moore (2000) cited by Chambers and Ryder (2006), if the clinician is in a bad mood, this may put the client in a bad mood as well; basically, it is like looking into a mirror. In Joans case, it was not the fact that the nurse was necessarily in a bad mood that was the issue. However, the nurse frowning during the short time they had together, which could have been seen as her being in awful mood. Joan so felt that she was not interested in her, and possibly that she was causing a problem by just being around. In addition, Reynolds (2000) raised a concern that low level of empathy in professional relationships can make the recipients of help may not perceive that their situation is understood. As nurses, we need to be aware that if seem unconcerned or stressed it will have a negative impact on the relationship with patients. Cowdell (2010) refers empathy as feeling into anothers world to comprehend that persons world experience. The nurse was not able to form a relationship with Joan, and was totally unable to sense her anxiety and distress. Furthermore, McCabe and Timmins (2006) say that if nurses fail to empathise with their patients then they cannot help them to understand effectively as individual with their illness. In other words, it was certainly the case in the lack of effective interaction between the nurse and Joan. In addition, Vincent (2005) says that nurses find it more difficult to sustain empathy if they are extremely tired or distracted. As already stated it could be because the nurse was the only one attending to the patients. This could hinder her ability to perceive and reason as well as to communicate understanding of Joans feelings. Reflection According to Johns (2005), reflection is a fusion of sensing, perceiving, intuiting and thinking related to a specific experience in order to develop insights into self and practice. Reflection promotes actions that transform individuals practice so they resolve contradictions, to build on their strengths. According to Sully and Dallas (2010), reflection also allows for the structured exploration of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and perceptions tacit and overt- that underpin professional practice. Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle will be used as indicated in my introduction. It was used because the reflective cycle encouraged me to think systematically about the phases of the EBL process. Description; my group subgroup was the video group and everyone was allocated a role play. My role was to act as the ward sister who showed no empathy to her junior staff who came to ask her for information regarding the patient she is looking after. Feeling; The EBL process gave me the opportunity to know what it feels like to be the nurse in charge were you have to use your management skills effectively. Also a nurse in charge not shown empathy could send wrong message to the junior staff. I think the whole process promotes my personal research skills and made me becomes more familiar with the various resources at my disposal, such as databases and e-journals. Evaluation; During the EBL process my sub-group were very supportive to each other, listen to other peoples opinion and communicated with other as professionals. As stated by Sully and Dallas (2010), that through effective communications, information sharing and partnership nurses can deliver excellent care. We were able to achieve our aim through effective communication between the team. The EBL experience becomes one of interchange where we shared our opinions, research and experience in order to achieve an end result. However, we faced some challenges with fixing the time and getting the right venues for the recording, sometimes we have to travel the main campus even when we do not have lectures over there. On the first day our equipment disappointed us, but we stayed positive and rearranged time. We had criticisms of ideas but we accepted it and created room for improvement. For example I did not support the video from YouTube by Hepburn and Astaire that was included in the presentation. Cottrell (2008) says that, if you disagree with another persons idea in a positive way and suggest ways forward for improvement rather than criticising. Analysis; the EBL process gave the group the opportunity to improve their wide range of skills: knowledge creation; presentation; creative skills; problem-solving skills and team-working. The EBL made us gain extra perspective and point of view about the given concept, which otherwise we might not have considered. It has been shown in Cottrell (2008), group working create the opportunity to tap into a wider pool of experience, background knowledge and styles of work. Conclusions; looking back at the EBL presentation, we should have explained the video we used. Also recognise that I need to develop the confidence to challenge ideas that I do not agree to, as well as how it could be improved. I could have used other strategies to get my point across to the group. Action plan; In future, I will aim to develop my assertive skills when working in a group, in order to ensure that we are awarded great marks. I will make this a goal for my learning, and work out strategies for how I can achieve this in future. As suggested by Sully and Dallas (2010) that using assertive skills is an essential component of working in a proficient manner. Conclusion In conclusion, empathy whether borrowed from the counselling literature or derived from nursing practice (Walker Alligood 2001), empathy is widely considered as a crucial component of multiple helping professions, including nursing practice. How empathy is portrayed in nursing literature seems different from its portrayal within counselling literature. The concept of empathy in nursing literature is separated from the core conditions of congruence and unconditional positive regards, so therefore it is presented as tool. As stated by Yu and Kirk (2008), empathy can be taught to healthcare professionals and also be taught how to improve their level of empathy through experience rather than formal instructions. Empathy is crucial to a non-defensive relationship and can facilitate satisfactory and productive outcomes for patients. Lack of empathy could mean that patient who needs to be understood, may not be understood, or feel understood. Lack of empathy in nursing could prolong healing process in a patient. In addition, the EBL process played an important role in promoting the group interaction, we shared opinions and experience. All this suggest that, empathy is a vital part of caring in nursing practice and especially critical to the provision of quality nursing care. Thus can be effectively taught to student and experienced nurses. REFERENCES Chambers, C. and Ryder, E. (2009) Compassion and caring in nursing Oxford: Radcliffe. Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook. 3rd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Oxford polytechnic: Oxford. Hills, M., and Knowles, D. (1983) Nurses levels of empathy and respect in simulated interactions with patients. International Journal of Nursing Studies. V20, pp. 83-87. Johns, C. (2005) Expanding the gates of perception. Transforming Nursing Through Reflective Practice. Oxford: Blackwell. La Monica, E., Madea, A. and Oberst, M. (1987) Empathy and nursing care outcomes. Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice. V1, pp. 197-213. McCabe, C. and Timmins, F. (2006) Communication Skills For Nursing Practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. McCabe, C. (2004) nurse-patient communication: an exploration of patients experience. Journal of Clinical Nursing; 13, pp.41-49. Mercer, S.W. and Reynolds, W. (2002) Empathy and quality of care. British Journal of General Practice. 52, S9-S13, Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articules/PMC1316134 (Accessed: 20 December 2012). Morse, J., Anderson, G., Bottorff, J., Yonge, O., OBrien, B., and Solberg, S (1992) Exploring Empathy: A Conceptual Fit for Nursing Practice? Image: Journal of Nursing Scholarship. V24, pp. 273-280. Morse, J.M., Bottorff, J., Anderson, G., OBrien, B., and Solberg, S. (2006). Beyond empathy: Expanding expressions of caring. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 17, pp. 75-90. Nursing and midwifery council (2010) The code standards of conduct. Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives. London: Portland place. Reynolds, W. (2006) Expanding expression of caring. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 17, 809-821. Reynolds, W. (2003) Developing empathy. In P. Barker (Ed.), Psychiatric and mental health nursing: The craft of caring, pp. 147-154. United Kingdom: Arnold. Reynolds, W. (2000) The measurement and Development of empathy in Nursing. United Kingdom: Ashgate Publishing Limited Sully, P. and Dallas, J. (2010) Essential Communication Skills for Nursing and Midwifery. 2nd edn. Edinburgh: Mosby Elsevier. Tschudin, V. (1995) Counselling Skills for Nurses. 4th edn. London: Baillià ¨re Tindall. Walker, K.M. and Alligood, M.R. (2001) Empathy from a nursing perspective: Moving beyond borrowed theory. Archives of psychiatric Nursing, 15, 140-147. Vincent, S. (2005) Being empathic: A companion for counsellors and therapists. United Kingdom: Radcliffe Ltd. Williams, J. and Stickley, T. (2010) Empathy and nurse education. Nurse Education Today, 30, pp. 752-755. Williams, A. (1992) Where has all the empathy gone? Professional Nurse (Nov), pp. 134. Wong, W.H. (2004) Caring holistically within new managerialism. Nursing inquiry; 11: (1) pp.1-13. Yu, J. and Kirk, M. (2008) Measurement of Empathy in Nursing Research: systematic review. Journal of Advance Nursing, (64), pp. 440-454. Zoske, J. and Pietrocarlo, D. (1983) Dialysis Training Exercise for Improved Staff Awareness. American Association of Nephrology and Technicians Journal. pp. 19-39.

Affirmative Action Essay examples -- Affirmative Action Essays

America is the land of opportunity, but to be fully qualified for the status, it needs to be â€Å"color-blind, race-blind, and gender-blind.† Affirmative Action began as a way to stop discrimination, but as new laws have been added to it, it has become reverse discrimination. Everyone has the opportunity to be a great addition to society. It is an immense injustice for people to say that someone of a different race or gender is not capable of achieving the same status in life as a white male. Through this paper, the concepts of affirmative action will be analyzed and discussed. Affirmative Action began in 1965 when President Johnson signed the Executive Order 11246 in to law. The Executive Order 11246 â€Å"prevents Federal contractors from discriminating against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.† This is when the phrase ‘affirmative action’ was first used, because it â€Å"requires federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against based on race color, religion, sex, or national origin.† When Affirmative Action was created, it only included minorities. In 1967, Johnson decided to expand the program to include women, because women have received some of the same discrimination as men in the workplace. There were also earlier laws that were passed to ensure equal rights. The 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act are two examples of these laws, but they were a little behind considering the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to the Constitution were passed much earlier. The Fourteenth amendment guarantees equal protection under the law and the Fifteenth amendment forbid racial discrimination in access to voting. Also, there was the 1866 Civil Rights Act, which was passed one hundred years earlier to ensure equal rights to all men.3 Secretary George Schultz and Arthur Fletcher, a top deputy, were the architects of some federal hiring and contracting regulations that added to the Affirmative Action regulations. In 1969, Schultz and Fletcher created these regulations under the Nixon administration to â€Å"redress the unfair treatment of minorities and women in the workplace.†4 Even though America is the land of freedom, minorities and women did not fully receive these freedoms until the mid 1960’s. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs... ...been a short-term solution to discrimination, but it has out lived its benefits. It is now encouraging reverse discrimination by setting quotas on the number of minorities required for a firm, contract, or school. America is now ready to become a color-blind society, and judge people on them, not their race or gender.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Works Cited The Census Bureau. www.census.gov. December 2, 2000 Executive Order 11246 - Equal Employment Opportunity (1965. 30 Fed. Reg. 12319) Harris, John F. and Kevin Merida. â€Å"On Affirmative Action, New Perspectives Strain Old Alliances.† Washington Post. April 5, 1995, page A01-2. Morin, Richard and Sharon Warden. â€Å"Americans Vent Anger at Affirmative Action.† Washington Post. March 24, 1995, A01. The Origins of Affirmative Action. www.now.org. December 2, 2000. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke. 438 U.S. 265 (1978) Vote 96. www.vote96.ss.ca.gov/vote96/html/209/. November 13, 2000. www.idfla.com/209/. December 1, 2000. www.idfla.com/tdemog/html December 1, 2000. Affirmative Action Essay examples -- Affirmative Action Essays America is the land of opportunity, but to be fully qualified for the status, it needs to be â€Å"color-blind, race-blind, and gender-blind.† Affirmative Action began as a way to stop discrimination, but as new laws have been added to it, it has become reverse discrimination. Everyone has the opportunity to be a great addition to society. It is an immense injustice for people to say that someone of a different race or gender is not capable of achieving the same status in life as a white male. Through this paper, the concepts of affirmative action will be analyzed and discussed. Affirmative Action began in 1965 when President Johnson signed the Executive Order 11246 in to law. The Executive Order 11246 â€Å"prevents Federal contractors from discriminating against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.† This is when the phrase ‘affirmative action’ was first used, because it â€Å"requires federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against based on race color, religion, sex, or national origin.† When Affirmative Action was created, it only included minorities. In 1967, Johnson decided to expand the program to include women, because women have received some of the same discrimination as men in the workplace. There were also earlier laws that were passed to ensure equal rights. The 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act are two examples of these laws, but they were a little behind considering the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to the Constitution were passed much earlier. The Fourteenth amendment guarantees equal protection under the law and the Fifteenth amendment forbid racial discrimination in access to voting. Also, there was the 1866 Civil Rights Act, which was passed one hundred years earlier to ensure equal rights to all men.3 Secretary George Schultz and Arthur Fletcher, a top deputy, were the architects of some federal hiring and contracting regulations that added to the Affirmative Action regulations. In 1969, Schultz and Fletcher created these regulations under the Nixon administration to â€Å"redress the unfair treatment of minorities and women in the workplace.†4 Even though America is the land of freedom, minorities and women did not fully receive these freedoms until the mid 1960’s. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs... ...been a short-term solution to discrimination, but it has out lived its benefits. It is now encouraging reverse discrimination by setting quotas on the number of minorities required for a firm, contract, or school. America is now ready to become a color-blind society, and judge people on them, not their race or gender.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Works Cited The Census Bureau. www.census.gov. December 2, 2000 Executive Order 11246 - Equal Employment Opportunity (1965. 30 Fed. Reg. 12319) Harris, John F. and Kevin Merida. â€Å"On Affirmative Action, New Perspectives Strain Old Alliances.† Washington Post. April 5, 1995, page A01-2. Morin, Richard and Sharon Warden. â€Å"Americans Vent Anger at Affirmative Action.† Washington Post. March 24, 1995, A01. The Origins of Affirmative Action. www.now.org. December 2, 2000. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke. 438 U.S. 265 (1978) Vote 96. www.vote96.ss.ca.gov/vote96/html/209/. November 13, 2000. www.idfla.com/209/. December 1, 2000. www.idfla.com/tdemog/html December 1, 2000.

Budgeting issues in criminal justice systems Essay

One of the reasons why jails still exist despite overcrowding is the budget allotted for the criminal justice administration. But the sudden rise in the number of prisoners posed a problem when it comes to budgeting. The article on policies and procedures of correctional facilities operated by the Multnomah County clearly shows that it has been experiencing financial shortage due to faulty budgeting. The article shows that it is very expensive to accommodate a prisoner, which costs $157/day in Multnomah County. This is expensive compared to the rate of jail systems in other counties. This was attributed to the labor contracts which resulted to raised labor costs, extraordinarily high medical costs which led to high cost of the overall system in jail, ineffective jail staffing pattern, abuse of sick leave, overtime and compensatory time and increase in the Sheriff’s budget. Aside from all of these, the Multnomah County has a very expensive juvenile detention facility. It costs $401/day to accommodate a juvenile. The article further shows that the Sheriff’s Office has practiced budgeting techniques which hid the management practices of the organization. This resulted to difficulty of finding out the different organization functions. Even the district attorney’s office has to seek the help of a financial analyst to make sense of the financial outline of the jail system. What the county requires is a program called â€Å"priority-based budgeting. Each department of the jail system must present program offers for the county commissioners to fund. However, some of these program offers are rejected. The Sheriff’s office has a total of 66 funding program offers that the county commission has approved. The priority-based budgeting was applied so that the commissioners can make an informed decision from an accurate financial picture of the different programs. This enabled the commissioners to be knowledgeable in whether funding or rejecting a particular program. The article concluded that the outside help of a financial consultant was necessary to analyze the Sheriff’s costs and budgets. It was noted that â€Å"it is a natural and understandable inclination of a government agency† to do the budgeting practices discussed in the article. The DA’s office thought that similar practices have been done by other government agencies in the county. It was suggested that the commission should collaborate more with the Sheriff. The county commissioners should understand the operations that they fund so that the problems might not occur again. The workgroup of the jail systems should focus on the Sheriff’s cost reporting and budgeting practices so that they can partake in any decisions to make. The commission should also found a work group that will inspect the jails and report frequently to the commissioners. This work group must consist of representatives from the law enforcement agencies in the county, the County Chair, the County Commissioner, the United States Attorney, the administrator for the federal facility at Sheridan, representatives from the business community, a representative from the medical community, the Department of Corrections, an independent financial analyst and the District Attorney. The law also requires that the county should include the state Department of Corrections in every operation of the local jails. However, whatever responsibilities the Department of Corrections is assigned by the law should not be carried out by the Sheriff’s Association. The article strongly advises that a healthy relationship must be established between the county Sheriff and the Board of Commissioners. Any solution to the problems must start from this perspective since all other problems stemmed from a breakdown to that relationship. The other article addressing budgeting issue is titled â€Å"Will part-time prison cut crime or costs? † by Nick Morrison. The article says that British Home Secretary David Blunkett proposed that some inmates be given freedom on weekends to relieve the growing population of prisoners in jails. Those inmates who are dangerous could be provided with electronic tags and they could stay out of jail for a month. They could also work during the week and spend the weekend in jail. Many questioned this proposal whether it is a way to fight the crimes or to cut costs, particularly Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust. He sees this proposal as the government’s admission to defeat in solving crimes, even though Blunkett promised to be tough on car-jackers and phone thieves. Brennan thinks that it has to do with money problems and not reducing crime why Blunkett allowed this kind of arrangement for the prisoners. It was hard for the government to spend a lot of money in keeping prisoners. Moreover, Brennan argued that it is more important to keep the prisoners in jails and out of the streets to protect the victims of crimes and the public, even though it is expensive to do so. Apparently, Blunkett’s proposal did not make this possible. Criminals were allowed on the loose, and they could strike again since they have freedom. With the growing population of prisoners in jails, Brennan says that the criminal justice system is no longer effective. A crisis in the criminal justice system has to appear before people do something to solve it. He recognizes that the problems will be harder to solve later on. Even more, there were less police officers on the beat to prevent crimes even though these crimes have been getting worse for many years now. The government also has not done something to reduce crime. He couldn’t see how Blunkett’s proposal could solve any of the problems. Brennan mentions that the country has more people inside prisons than any countries in Europe. He says it is so because there are more crimes here than anywhere else. The government, he adds, has resorted to different measures to solve the rising number of crimes. Sadly, none of these measures worked, and this showed a â€Å"disgraceful record on crime and law and order. † On the other hand, the Howard League for Penal Reform agreed with Blunkett’s proposal. The spokeswoman says that â€Å"anything †¦to reduce the prison population is a good thing. † She added that the programs set to keep the prisoners with a two or three months term away from their criminal behavior are not often available, that’s why they offend the second time after they are released. The article recommends that a community penalty is more effective as a form of punishment for the prisoners than sending them over to prison. The article quotes Brennan recommending that the government should deal with the crimes head on rather than making lots of promises and pledges that it cannot meet. People should also be aware of these problems and how serious they are so that they can be a part in solving them. Brennan is correct in saying that criminals should be sent to prison whether it is expensive or not. The most important thing to consider here is the protection of the public from these offenders. The government should look more into these problems because this is getting worse every year and it has bad records of crime. The government should also look into the budgeting systems of the federal and local governments. It should consider that budgeting systems can be a part of the ineffective services it offers to the public. Changes in budgeting systems should be an important part in reform. REFERENCES Morrison, Nick. (2002, February 05). Will part-time prison cut crime or costs? Newsquest (North East Ltd. , p. 8. Available at: http://yukon. actx. edu:2083/libweb/curriculum/do/document? set=topic&groupid=1&requestid=conquesttopic&resultid=48&ts=57673F035D3E975120F685A75E3514BA_1187860483640&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B76740234. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. (2006). Independent review of policies and procedures of correctional facilities operated by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. Available at: http://www. mcda. us/articles/GJ_CORRECTIONAL_FACILITIES_2006. pdf.

The Invention of the Wheelbarrow

The Invention of the Wheelbarrow Its one of those ideas that seems so self-evident, once you have seen it in action. Rather than carrying heavy loads on your back, or burdening a pack animal with them, you can put them into a tub or basket that has a wheel beneath and long handles for pushing or pulling. Voila!   The wheelbarrow does most of the work for you. But who first came up with this brilliant idea? Where was the wheelbarrow invented? The First Wheelbarrows Were Created in China Not too surprisingly, the first wheelbarrows seem to have been created in China - along with the first gunpowder, paper, seismoscopes, paper currency, magnetic compasses, crossbows, and many other key inventions. The exact date and the actual inventors name both seem to be lost to history, but it seems likely that people in China have been using wheelbarrows for around 2,000 years. Invented in 231 CE According to legend, the prime minister of the Shu Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms Period, a man named Zhuge Liang, invented the wheelbarrow in 231 CE as a form of military technology. At the time, Shu Han was embroiled in a war with Cao Wei, another of the three kingdoms for which the era is named.   The Gliding Horse Zhuge Liang needed an efficient way to transport food and munitions to the front lines, so he came up with the idea of making a wooden ox with a single wheel.  Another traditional nickname for this simple handcart is the gliding horse. Using the wooden ox, a single soldier could easily carry enough food to feed four men for the entire month. As a result, the Shu Han tried to keep the technology a secret - they did not want to lose their advantage over the Cao Wei. Archaeological Evidence This legend is very tidy and satisfying, but probably untrue.  Archaeological evidence suggests that Chinese people were using the wheelbarrow more than a century before Zhuge Liangs supposed invention of the device in 231 CE. For example, a wall painting in a tomb near Chengdu, in Sichuan Province, shows a man using a wheelbarrow - and that painting was made in 118 CE. Another tomb, also in Sichuan Province, includes a depiction of a wheelbarrow in its carved wall reliefs; that example dates back to the year 147 CE. Invented in the Second Century in Sichuan Province It seems possible, then, that the wheelbarrow was invented in the second century in Sichuan Province.   As it happens, the Shu Han Dynasty was based in what is now Sichuan and Chongqing Provinces. The Cao Wei kingdom encompassed northern China, Manchuria, and parts of what is now North Korea, and had its capital at Luoyang in present-day Henan Province. Conceivably, the people of Wei were not yet aware of the wheelbarrow and its possible military applications in 231 CE.   Thus, the legend could be half-correct.  Zhuge Liang probably did not actually invent the wheelbarrow.   Some clever farmer likely had the idea first. But the Shu prime minister and general may well have been the first to use the technology in battle - and may have tried to keep it a secret from the Wei, who had not yet discovered the ease and convenience of the wooden ox. Since that time, wheelbarrows have been used for carrying all kinds of burdens, from harvested crops to mine tailings, and pottery to building materials.  Sickly, wounded, or elderly people could be carried to the doctor, before the advent of the ambulance. As the photo above shows, wheelbarrows were still being used to carry casualties of war into the 20th century. Invented Again in Medieval Europe In fact, the wheelbarrow was such a good idea that it was invented again, apparently independently, in medieval Europe. This appears to have happened sometime in the late 12th century. Unlike Chinese wheelbarrows, which usually had the wheel under the middle of the barrow, European wheelbarrows generally had the wheel or wheels at the front.