How Research Has Changed Nursing At The Bedside Nursing Essay

How Research Has Changed Nursing At The Bedside Nursing Essay Research is crucial in defining the best practices of the nursing profession. It provides a means of ascertaining efficient medical practices and further advancing the existing body of knowledge regarding nursing. This paper therefore seeks to find out how research has revolutionized conventional nursing. The emerging technological changes and adjustments in health care policies have greatly changed the health care environment. This have prompted the nursing profession to re-invent itself to enable it provide satisfactory health care to patients in this new scenario. As part of the changes, nurses contemporarily have a more defined and professional role to play in the health care field. The role of ordinary nurse practitioners has further been widened to prescribe drugs and treat common illnesses, a role previously left only to doctors. Apart from looking after patients under doctors supervision, clinical nurse specialists now make diagnosis on patients and prescribe medication for p atients. How Research has Changed Nursing at the Bedside Nursing research constitutes a systematic inquiry designed to develop, refine and broaden knowledge in the nursing field. The nursing profession is undergoing tremendous changes and experiencing new challenges. To counter these social and technological challenges, the profession must employ patient oriented practices based on reliable findings from research. Research is normally used to assess the impact of nursing care on health of patients and effectiveness of nursing procedures (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). Significance of Research in Nursing Research in this field includes all the aspects of health care that are vital to nursing. These range from disease to injury prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles and patient support. The changing legal, technological, educational and professional environments are also important areas for research in nursing. All nurses should therefore be involved in the research process though their roles may vary depending on educational and professional qualifications. The knowledge gained though research is crucial in implementing evidence-based nursing practice (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). Research has always been used to guide the nursing practice and nurses efforts to improve patients wellbeing. Positive findings are then adopted into patient while increasing efforts to eliminate sources of patient discomfort. To fit these findings into the clinical setup, the procedure involved their critical analysis and evaluation. By incorporating research findings into clinical practice and evaluating the progress achieved, the gap between researches and actual nursing practice has been effectively reduced (Curie, 2007). Higgins et al., (2010) suggest that clinical research is vital in finding new treatments and improving patient care. Research in nursing has improved amongst others the early diagnosis of patients, providing proper prescription and developing effective processes of looking after patients. Consultant nurses are at the forefront of research since they interact with patients at more personal levels and thus better understand their needs. An example of recent research involved finding ways of reducing accidental falls by hospitalized elderly patients at North Shore University Hospital (North Shore University, 2012). The use of low beds in the acute care setting resulted in elimination of vest restraints and received positive feedback from staff members, ailing patients, and their families. However, consultant research nurses need a thorough understanding of the research process and an in-depth knowledge of the specialty under investigation. Teamwork is also crucial in research investigations to achieve the intended purpose. Each member of the research team has unique skills and expertise to hasten the process. Participants first-hand knowledge further gives researchers better insight into important issues to address that may otherwise be overlooked by clinical officers. Duties of a research nurse include preparing trial protocols and documents for the research. They must also submit study proposals to the relevant legal authorities and coordinate the research to its (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). Accordingly, nurses must play the key role of patient advocacy during research studies to ensure their safety and protection. The patients must further willingly consent to participate in such research. This requires that participating patients be given full information regarding any potential benefits and risks they may be exposed to. It is therefore, crucial for nurses to have excellent communication and other interpersonal skills. Research nurses further need organizational skills in information technology to effectively manage the research process in the new millennium. A solid foundation based on years of experience in nursing is vital to this role. A comprehensive understanding of the specialty of research area and extensive knowledge of the research process and research-related legislation are also crucial. Collaboration with other researchers and members of the multidisciplinary team is crucial for successful research (Gibbs Lowton, 2012). How Research has Revolutionized Nursing The conventional role of the bedside nurse has changed over time due to adoption of technology and changes in the educational curriculum of nurses. Although the traditional role of nurses still guides nurse practitioners, more efficient ways of caring for patients have also emerged. The rapid changes in the health care environment means that nurses cannot only rely on school acquired knowledge but must constantly modernize their practices. According to Young (2012) the changing burden of disease requires a shift from acute care in hospitals to supporting people with long term conditions in the community. This can be facilitated through research to develop more efficient mechanisms of caring for terminally ill patients. Consultant nurses are at the forefront of revolutionizing nursing from the conventional bedside caring role. They are involved in establishing more reliable ways of caring for patients. They are also clinical leaders who can ensure that all quality initiatives are directed towards achieving the best outcomes for patients and to documenting and publishing patient, clinical and service-centered outcomes in ways that allow patients, families and members of the public to see how local healthcare providers perform. Clinical nurse specialists improve patient outcomes and are cost effective, so it is unwise to cut expenditures on health care research (Young, 2012). Darkins (2012) affirms that technological solutions have further modernized the nursing practice from the traditional perspective of bedside caring. Telehealth applications enable nurses hold face to face meetings with patients from remote locations. These applications also assist nurses to monitor patients from diverse localities. For instance, telehealth applications enable nurses to retrieve and transmit patients data in real time from their sick beds. Such technology has helped medical facilities with adequate nursing resources. The new technology has also reduced the need for home visits and 24 hour home based care. By adopting telehealth applications, nurses can extend their knowledge through easy information sharing (Darkins, 2012). The role of implementing recommendations from research is the responsibility of the individual nurse and requires restructuring of the entire health facility. Individual nurses should further be continuously striving to improve their practice to provoke significant change in the health care centre. For nursing practitioners to actually utilize evidence, the proposed solution must both be relevant and appropriate to solving the problem. Evidence Based Nursing Evidence based nursing uses evidence from research to make decisions concerning patient needs (Winters Echeverri, 2012). Based on existing resources and patient preferences, clinical officers are able to implement strategies that best address their patient interests. To gain the full benefits of evidence based nursing, nurses must adopt the most reliable sources of information including medical publications. It uses the premise that outcome on patients is highly dependent on the quality of information and how effectively it is used in decision-making. Evidence based practice seeks to replace the conventional bedside nursing practice. It uses controlled research trials to guide action from research results. It further raises accountability in nursing by identifying the best nursing practices. The major aim of evidence-based practice is to increase patients satisfaction and reduce instances of trial- error treatment. This is achieved through provision of high quality and cost-efficient nursing care. The focus is therefore shifted from common nursing habits and traditions to research oriented nursing. It eventually advances the quality of care provided by nurses (Winters Echeverri, 2012). It is imperative to note that nurses who participate in research projects promote research utilization and are more likely to apply research techniques in their daily practice. Furthermore, nurses who appreciate the significance of evidence-based nursing assume the role of mentoring their colleagues who are yet to realize the impact research inform ation in their duties. Conclusion Nurses are considered as key decision makers within the healthcare team. However, to make the right call, they need reliable and accurate first hand information concerning their patients. This is only possible from conducting accurate research regarding the problem area with clear set objectives (Curie, 2007). Patients provide the most accurate and reliable source of information in nursing research. By applying a holistic approach to patient care, nursing research has developed initiatives that are both effective and widely acceptable. Evidence based practice is a good example of the success of nursing research in patient care. The evidence-based practice decision-making model follows the path of searching, appraising and implementing effective strategies in patient care (Winters Echeverri, 2012). The health sector makes crucial advances daily that constantly expand the boundaries of conventional medicine. Nursing research implements these changes by developing new therapies for pat ients.

Odysseus: Man of Many Traits

Odysseus, the ruler of the island kingdom of Ithaca, was known by all for his cleverness and cunning, but what I noticed throughout my readings of Odysseus is that he is also shows some weaknesses at times. I will discuss examples of each of these prevalent traits throughout this essay. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus is driven to many wanderings during which he sees many wonders and endures many sufferings. Part of Homer’s theme in The Odyssey is the vicissitudes that have promoted Odysseus’s various character traits.He can be clever, as seen when he tricks Polyphemus by calling himself â€Å"nobody†. .. â€Å"So, you ask me the name I’m known by, Cyclops? / I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift / as you’ve promised. Nobody-that’s my name. Nobody- / so my mother and father call me, all my friends. † (9. 408-412) When Polyphemus is moaning and calling to his friends that he has been injured, they come running to his cave. They ask their fellow Cyclops what has happened and when he replies that he has been harmed by â€Å"nobody†, he receives no sympathy or help.He also is very clever when faced with the obstacle of the Sirens. Because he knows how dangerous it is to hear the song of the Sirens, he uses wax to plug the ears of his men, and leaves his own free to hear. He has his men tie him down tight to the ship and they manage to, yet again, escape the danger courtesy of Odysseus’ clever mind, and navigate to safety. Though Odysseus may not always have a handle on his pride and gloat, he is quite able to handle mind-over-matter situations like the one he is faced with on Helios’ island.When they come to the island, Odysseus demands that his crew will not eat the sacred livestock. Though they are trapped on the island for so long that their food supply dwindles and they begin to starve, Odysseus keeps his word and though he is slowly starving while surrounded by luscious herds, he never gives into the temptation of killing and eating the cattle. I find that to be an extremely strong and valued attribute, being able to resist temptation. Odysseus can be deceitful, as seen when he disguises himself as a beggar in Ithaca.He was warned by Agamemnon that he should no longer trust Penelope, and in turn he disguises himself in order to be able to spy on the suitors, and even on his own wife to understand the situation he is returning to after so many years. He learns who is still loyal to him, and how to deal with those who are not. The information he gains as a beggar in his own kingdom, helps him to formulate revenge without being detected. He possesses enduring strength, and continues to carry on, as seen in his refusal to give up during any of the struggles he is faced with on his journey back to his home island.Odysseus also displayed the strength of a hero through his epic journey. He was an indomitable man who was incapable of being subdued or overcome, an d possessed great amounts of physical strength. Most men would give in to the exhaustion of twenty years of obstacles, but not Odysseus. When sailing away from Calypso's island, he learned Poseidon would destroy his raft, so he swam â€Å"†¦adrift on the heaving swells two nights, two days- / quite lost†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (5. 429-430. ), an act that would have caused a lesser man to perish.Odysseus also displays his heroic strength when he returns to Ithaca. Upon arriving home and finding over a hundred suitors trying to steal his wife, he took his revenge. With the help of his son, he killed all the men, despite the fact that he was greatly outnumbered. The cleverness, deceitfulness, and enduring strength combine to help Odysseus survive throughout the tale. Odysseus also has an eye for wealth and adventure, traits that are common to all Greek heroes.He eagerly welcomes the gifts that the Phaeacians present him with unconcealed pleasure and enthusiasm; he is also pleased to see Pe nelope trick her suitors into presenting her with gifts. Just as Odysseus welcomes riches with wide arms, he also very often seeks out adventure. For example, he chooses to go to Polythemus' cave though he knows nothing of what may be inside and it proves to be a very dangerous decision. If we actually think about how things first began, it is a search for glory and riches that causes Odysseus to ever leave home to start with.Though he is a great hero, Odysseus exhibits many weaknesses during his journey home to Ithaca. Homer was easily able to integrate these weaknesses because all humans can relate to his problems and can learn from what Odysseus had to go through. We relate to the fact that no matter how strong and cunning and brave this hero may be, nobody is perfect. Odysseus’ excessive pride and overconfidence get him into trouble with the gods, Zeus and Poseidon. His impulsive ways get him into trouble with the Cyclops, Polythemus.He humiliates the Cyclops without thin king about the consequences. Odysseus calls from the boat to Polythemus, â€Å"So, Cyclops, no weak coward it was whose crew / you bent to devour there in your vaulted cave- / you with your brute force! Your filthy crimes / came down on your own head, you shameless cannibal, / daring to eat your guests in your own house- / so Zeus and the other gods have paid you back! † (9. 531-536. ) His taunts anger the Cyclops so much that he hurls rock toward the voice and nearly sends the group of men to their death.Though the taunting has obviously proved to be a bad idea, and though his crew has begged him not to say another word, Odysseus must have the last word. He continues, â€Å"Cyclops- / if any man on the face of the eart should ask you / who blinded you, shamed you so-say Odysseus, / raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, / Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca! † (9. 558-562. ) This was a very dangerous bit of information to give out to Polythemus, who is the son of Poseidon. He did not think ahead as to what dangers Poseidon could throw at him throughout the rest of his journey.We should all learn from Odysseus’ mistake and think before we speak. We should overcome our impulsive ways and think of the consequences of our actions before we act so that we may avoid further problems which will divert us away from our life’s journey. Odysseus’ pride and confidence also get him into trouble with the god, Zeus. From the beginning only Poseidon had hated Odysseus, but as the story progresses, Odysseus angers not only Poseidon but also Zeus. The gods made his journey treacherous throughout the sea.They constantly pushed him away from Ithaca in order to make his trek that much longer and more difficult. We should learn to keep our confidence and pride in ourselves at a level to where we do not get distracted from our main objectives. Odysseus is able to overcome all of his weaknesses by receiving help from others around him. As we read his story and bond with this character, we learn from his mistakes and find ways to use his lessons for ourselves. We should learn to keep ourselves on task and to avoid life’s distractions from our main goal like Odysseus had done.He was distracted much longer than we ever would be, but was still always able to remember that his main destination was to successfully journey home to Ithaca. Odysseus’ weakness gets him into trouble multiple times. However, every weakness that appeared, he was able to overcome and eventually reach Ithaca. Through bravery, intelligence, and strength Odysseus fits the definition of an epic hero. He is able to accomplish all the things he did and make his way home to his wife, Penelope, with the help of his guardian Athena.This is what often times defines Odysseus as an epic hero. On the other hand, Odysseus’ character is different than many epic heroes. It is apparent that what matters most to him is not the heroic pr aise and reputation, but life in itself. He didn’t put great worry into what others would think of him later on; he focused on the fact that he wanted him and his men to get through every situation alive. And because of this, he did in fact make it through his journey successfully.?

Prejudice in Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes Essay

Prejudice is a cancer that spreads hate among its perpetrators and victims alike. In 1930 Langston Hughes penned the novel, Not Without Laughter. This powerful story, written from the perspective of an African-American boy named James â€Å"Sandy† Rodgers, begins in the early 1900’s in the small town of Stanton, Kansas. Through the eyes of young Sandy, we see the devastating impact of racism on his family and those they are close to. We also see how the generations of abuse by whites caused a divide within the black community. Among, and even within, black families there were several social classes that seemed to hinge on seeking equality through gaining the approval of whites. The class someone belonged to was determined by the color†¦show more content†¦The band was in full swing when the lead singer, Benbow, came out onto the dance floor and really excited the crowd. Sandy heard someone yell out, â€Å"High-yallers, draw nigh! Brown-skins, come near! But black gals, stay where you are!† (63, 64). Later, outside the dance, Hughes describes a scene in which: â€Å"a mustard-colored man stood near the door quarreling with a black woman. She began to cry and he slapped her full in the mouth, then turned his back and left with a girl of maple-sugar brown† (69). This was Sandy’s first, but would not be his last, exposure to how skin color affected how desirable someone was. His own mother found his father’s lighter skin tone more appealing and, later in his youth; Sandy was exposed to the talk of the men in the barber shop who also shared these views when it came to the women they were interested in (23, 133). Perhaps one of the most painful early demonstrations to Sandy of the importance of skin color occurred when he and his friend, Willie-Mae, set out to attend the opening day of a new amusement park in Stanton. Sandy and Willie-Mae, along with most of the children in Stanton, had looked forward to i t with great anticipation. They both dressed their best and arrived at the park gate, excited the day had finally come, only to be turned away because they were not white. Demonstrating further that skin tone was of high importance, Sandy and Willie-MaeShow MoreRelatedPrejudice in Langston Hughes Novel, Not Without Laughter1387 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout Langston Hughes novel, Not Without Laughter, the author introduces multiple characters that reveal their notions of prejudice. The novel explores that prejudice in one form or another is in every aspect of ones life. Prejudice can be defined as an opinion for or against a persons look, race, class, or religion, which is usually formed by a hasty generalization. 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