Category: Nursing

As a nurse, you are probably very aware of and can speak to the emotional reasons behind the need for certain major expenditures such as a new nurse’s lounge or replacing the current patient information system with a new digital system. You would love to see your nurses have a comfortable area where they can rejuvenate from a stressful day with patients. Alternatively, nurses carrying around PDAs would certainly ease the recording and transmission of vital patient information. However, as a nurse manager you need to be able to support those emotional appeals with reliable financial data. Having a place to refresh will help nurses be more efficient, and could reduce sick days and nurse errors. Being able to quickly access doctor’s orders and previous nurse’s comments allows for a more timely response to patients. As your responsibilities expand, you may find yourself at the table when decisions about capital expenditures are being debated. It is therefore to your advantage to understand the workings of a capital budget.

In this Discussion, you consider the impact of both financial and emotional factors in making a capital budget decision,

To prepare:

Review the information on capital budgets in this week’s Learning Resources.

Consider why it is important for nurse managers to understand the capital budget of an organization. How are capital budgets used in your own organization (or one with which you are familiar)?

Reflect on the importance of thinking strategically when developing this type of budget.

Identify a new piece of equipment you would like to see purchased by the organization. Consider how knowledge of capital budgeting could influence your approach to making the request.

Develop strategies for demonstrating the need for this capital expenditure that take into account both financial and emotional considerations.

Post
 an analysis of why it is important for nurse managers to understand principles of capital budgeting. Describe a costly new piece of equipment you would like your organization (or one with which you are familiar) to purchase. Explain strategies for demonstrating the need for this equipment to decision makers. Briefly outline how you could use financial data and emotional appeals to demonstrate the benefits of this purchase.

Complete as directed by the facilitator.

 

By Saturday, September 23, 2017, go to the Discussion Area and post responses to one discussion question as assigned by the facilitator. All responses should be posted to the appropriate topic in this Discussion Area. It is important to support what you say with relevant citations from both the course materials and outside resources. Include the South University Online Library in your research activities utilizing not only the nursing resource database, but also those pertaining to education, business, and human resources.

 

Discussion Questions:

 

Review the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. Identfiy the massive innovation funded by the Affordable Care Act and discuss a model that relies on technology to promote optimal patient centered outcomes.

Review the National Quality Forum measures that can be accessed and used in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to ensure quality metrics from an EHR endorsed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

By Wednesday, September 27, 2017, comment on at least two of your peers’ responses. You can ask technical questions or respond generally to the overall experience of attempting the question. Be objective, clear, and concise. Always use constructive language. All comments should be posted to the appropriate topic in this Discussion Area.

The Affordable Care Act Paper

Please answer to this discussion post. Needs to be 150 words or more. No plagiarism and APA style, cited. Should you have any questions please let me know via messenger. Thanks.

Identify what are the specific provisions within the mandate that will directly impact the delivery of care.

 
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) seeks to contribute to the expansion of the healthcare coverage relating to the patients (Hall, & Allhoff, 2014). Some of the provisions of The Affordable Care Act include overhauling of the individual insurance market resulting to the various laws and regulating the conduction of different professionals in the health sector. The provisions required that the illegal immigrants remain unsecured while all the insurers were required not to deny any person who is eligible to be covered. Also, ACA’s provisions included the expansion of the Medicaid suggesting that the delivery of services relating to health were made more effective. Also, the provision to reduce the health care costs resulted in a large number seeking medical attention when there is the need. Therefore, delivery of health services is consistent, and it is made in a manner by which most of the individuals are in a position to enjoy high-quality healthcare services (Selker, & Wasser, 2014).  Therefore, it is evident that these provisions improved the health sector considering matters to do with delivery of services and how to care for the clients even after there are discharged.

Discuss one key challenge that you anticipate facing in advanced practice as a result of one of the provisions

However, with the overhauling of the individual insurance market, there exists a challenge that relates to increased costs that are meant to control the payment of the insurance premiums and observe whether the new regulations are followed. In other words, there are higher chances that the more costs will be earned when seeking to control and monitor the adherence to the laws and policies that have been set by the government.  Therefore, the revenue earned by the government from these proceedings will reduce and tend to affect the economy. Therefore, it is evident that as much as the ACA’s provisions led to benefits, there are also some cases of challenges.

References

Hall, M. & Allhoff, F. (2014). 
The Affordable Care Act decision : philosophical and legal implications
. New York: Routledge.

Selker, H. & Wasser, J. (2014). 
The Affordable Care Act as a National Experiment : Health Policy Innovations and Lessons
. New York: Springer

Write a 250-500 word analysis of “Fetal Abnormality Case Study” Be sure to address the following questions:

Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? Explain.

How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendation for action?

What theory do you agree with?  How would the theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?

Prepare this Fetal Abnormality Case Study assignment according to the APA guidelines

Fetal Abnormality Case Study

Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the U.S. for the last 3years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria’s home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant, and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant.

Four months later, Jessica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrasound indicates a possible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted and it is determined that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms, and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have Down syndrome.

Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marcodid not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself whenshe is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with a distressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson. After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying out loud.

Marco and Dr. Wilson continue their discussion, and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica as his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent on discussing all relevant factors and options regarding the next step, including abortion. Marco insists ontaking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs the husband that such a choice is not his to make. Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informsJessica of the diagnosis, and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have. Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back her tears.

Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes, but is finding it difficult to not view the pregnancy and the prospects of a disabled child as a burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans. Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is “scientifically” and medically a wise choice in this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what “God intends” to take place, and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother.

The Affordable Care Act is kind of a watershed in the public health policies in U.S.Through extension series of and multiple laws that together consists of the U.S federal legal framework in the system of health care.ACA  is an act the forms the main and key legal protections that have been absent till now: which offers the guarantee of coverage to affordable health insurance when given birth till when ones go for retirement. A number of Americans that are uninsured will rise to more than half when the Act is fully implemented.

There are key provisions that increase the access to the secondary and primary prevention services such as screening of regular diseases and immunizations while still the core goal of the ACA is to raise the access to the system of the traditional health care through the increase in the options for health insurance that is affordable.The mandate of the health plans is to offer preventive health services to their members without charging coinsurance or copayment so long as it is the provider that is delivering the services in the network plan.Blood pressure cancer screenings, cholesterol screening and immunization of vaccinations for both youth and adults are among the preventive health services.

In conclusion, At no cost, several other health behavior interventions are covered including depression screening, misuse screening and counseling and interventions of tobacco cessation.ACA needs food and drug Administration free provision though this is a challenge when it comes to religion perspective to contraception. Shortage of health professional will be a great challenge due to the huge significant number.On the other hand, nurses and who are the programs practitioners will get even stronger.

References

Koestler, A. (2014). 
The act of creation
. United States: Last Century Media.

State’s policies on contraception and abortion for women with insurance

Select the state where you plan to work as an advanced practice nurse and investigate the state’s policies on access to contraception and abortion for women with insurance and those without. What are the state’s infant and maternal mortality rates? Discuss the possible relationship between these factors. Address how as an advanced practice nurse and nursing leader, one can influence desired change in the current health policies. Be sure to identify 
one
 MSN Essential that most relates to this topic in your discussions.

***I plan to practice in the state of Florida, United States*** Please plagiarism in this paper should be less than 20%, any higher and the paper will be graded as ZERO. It needs to be APA style and cited, at least two references. Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, please refer to the uploaded document for directions on how to further finished this assignment. Thanks

Personhood Chart

This chart contains a grid for different philosophical anthropologies that answer the question of personhood.

Complete the following chart in the context of defining what it means to be human according to Christianity, Materialism, and your own Personal View.  Refer to the assigned reading for explanation of characteristics listed on the left.

 

 

Christianity

Materialism

Personal View

Relational

Multidimensional

Sexual

Moral

Mortal

Destined for Eternal Life

Destined for eternal life:

For this week, you will be completing a research appraisal about a women’s health topic in which you may be interested. The purpose is to complete only a synthesis of the topic. To start, only look at studies that are specific to your women’s health topic. Your appraisal will assist in finding the most current evidence. Remember, this is only for the purpose of synthesis. Simplicity is key to a successful evaluation. Below is a way to assist you in compiling your significant articles. Your table should only contain 5 articles. Finalize your findings in 1–2 pages and submit with your evaluation table.

In the headings for the columns, include the following:

Citation: Author, year, title

Conceptual Framework: Theoretical basis for study

Design/Method: Indicate design and describe what was done in the study

Sample/setting: Number, characteristics, attrition rate, and why

Major variables studied and their definitions: Independent/dependent variable

Measurement: What scales were used to measure the outcome variables (e.g., name of scale, author, reliability info)

Data analysis: What stats were used to answer the clinical question

Findings: Statistical findings or qualitative findings (one for every statistical test mentioned in data anlysis)

Appraisal/Worth to Practice: Strengths and limitations of the study, risk or harm if study intervention or findings implemented, and feasibility

Assignment 3 Grading CriteriaMaximum Points
Clearly discussed the women’s health issue.25Accurately summarized research in evaluation table.25Ensured that paper concisely describes findings.25Ensured that the paper is well organized and well written and demonstrates significant development in your ability to think and write from initial submission. Properly followed APA format.25
Total:100

Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Solving Problems and Communicating Effectively

 

Assignment 1

Describe a situation when you made an important decision.  What content in the chapter applied to that situation?  What was the outcome?

 

Assignment 2

Why are problem solving and decision making skills important to you as a professional? Describe the two best decisions you have made in your life and the two worst.  What factors assisted you in making the wise decisions?  What elements of critical thinking and problem solving were involved in your decision making?  What content of the chapter applied to that situation?

 

Assignment 3

Consider a recent interaction you witnessed.

Did the sender express the message clearly?

Use the appropriate medium?

Listen and respond to questions and comments?

What was the outcome?

 

Now, think about a recent interaction where you were the sender using the above criteria.  If you could replay the interaction, what would you do differently
?

 

Assignment 4

You are a manager of your department which has 12 employees.  Your supervisor has approved the funds to send two employees from each shift to a major conference in a nearby city.  Most of the employees would like to go, but the financial resources limit your selection.  How would you resolve this situation?

 

Assignment 5

You are a school nurse.  In the past two weeks, nine cases of head lice were reported in different classrooms.  The potential for spread is high, and both the teachers and the parents are growing anxious.

 

Compose a
memo
for distribution to the teachers and a
business letter
to the parents.  Your goals are to inform, reassure, and direct future inquiries.  Make sure you use the guidelines and format covered in the notes.

 

NOTE:
  For the students who are not nurses, if you want, you may change the scenario in this assignment and prepare the memo & letter to a situation tailored to your allied health specialty.

 

Assignment 6

Please research an internet source that enhances the material covered in this unit.

Please post your summary and comments and include the URL for your classmates.

Reading Assignment: Chapters 8 & 9
in Sullivan

 

Individual Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

 

Describe how to use the critical-thinking process.

Describe ways to foster creativity.

Develop a plan to improve your decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Compare and contrast individual and collective decision-making processes in various situations.

Recognize stumbling blocks to making decisions and solving problems.

Foster innovation in your work and that of others.

Identify the factors that influence communication.

Discuss how communication can be distorted and misunderstood.

Choose which communication mode to use depending on the message and relationship.

Explain how communication strategies vary according to the situation and those involved.

Improve your collaborative communication skills.

Develop a plan to enhance your communication skills.

 

 

 

Written Communication within the Organization

Know that you want to say before you start writing

Put people in your writing

Use action words

Write plainly

Use as few words as possible

Use simple direct sentences

Give the reader direction

Arrange the material logically

Use paragraphs to lead readers

Connect your thoughts

Be clear

Express similar thought in similar ways

 

 

Business Letter Format

 

Official letterhead/stationary. You should create your own stationary which should include ALL of your updated contact information centered on the top of the paper.  You should also bold the information and increase the font size.

Skip 4-8 lines
, depending on the length of the letter and the size of the letterhead

Date

Skip four lines

Inside address
– check for accurate address and spelling – include the person’s full name and title

Double space

RE
: – Regarding – this alerts the reader to the subject of your letter

Double space

Salutation

Use a comma for informal letters and a colon for formal letters

Dear Sir, Dear Dr., To Whom It May Concern, Dear Senator, etc.

Double space

 

Body of letter

Single space within the paragraph and double space between paragraphs

Double space

Complimentary closing
– “Sincerely,”

Skip 4 lines if the letter is typed

Signature (typed)

Place your written signature above your typed name

Double space

Enclosures

Copies
– cc: followed by the names of the persons receiving copies of the memos

 

 

Memo Format

Date

Double space

To:
– alphabetize the list if sending to more than one person, or use a ranking system

Double space

From:

Double space

Subject: or use RE: In a few words, state the reason you are writing the memo.  This lets the reader know at a glance what you will be talking about

Triple space

Signature

Triple space

Copies
– cc: followed by the names of the persons receiving copies of the memo