Learning Activity #1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learning Activity #1 - Assignment Example The study designed an interpretive phenomenological study on the influences of AD-prepared nurses returning to school in search of a BDN or higher degree in Nursing (Orsolini-Hain, 2012). Thus, data was collected from a target population of AD-prepared nurses, from 2006-2008. Therefore, a sample of 22 AD-prepared nurses without a BDN or bachelors degree was used. These nurses responded to fliers and were compensated for participation by the study. All of the participants had been in practice for about 10 years. However, the nurses had varied years of experience. As a result, the mean amount of experience was 19.5 years. The ages of the participants ranged from 36-64 with the mean age being 48 years. The nurses were sampled from different genders and ethnic backgrounds. The main method of data collection utilized by the study was interviewing. It is imperative to note that the objectives of the study would not be fully realized through the use of a static interview tool. As a result, a dynamic interview tool was employed by the study. Thus, AD-prepared nurses were engaged in an interpretive phenomenological study with regard to their willingness to return to school to obtain higher degrees in nursing (Orsolini-Hain, 2012). As a result, participants filled out a demographic tool and interviews lasting one hour were also conducted. These interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. The interview process involved the administration of a pilot study followed by other structured studies that resulted from the pilot study. Thus, multiple interviews were employed in understanding the AD-prepared nurses’ perspectives on their willingness to go back to school for further education programs. Since this was a qualitative study, no intervention w as tested. In my experience, I have been a RN for only 4 years following my recent graduation. Therefore, these findings give the necessary encouragement of furthering my

Organizational Change and Strategic Thinking Research Paper

Organizational Change and Strategic Thinking - Research Paper Example In general, the organizations have to carry on delivering value and face the current challenges, while reorganizing and getting ready for the future challenges. In order to accomplish effective organizational change, whilst performing the difficult task of balancing the present business activities and the preparation for the future, there needs to be reasonable strategies in place. The existence of managers who employ strategic thinking for the planning of organizational development can ensure that the measures for organizational change do not lead to inadvertent consequences. With the rapid changes in the business environment, the managers need decisive thinking skills to shift from the traditional reactive decision-making process to the proactive foresight method, so as to enable the organization to be equipped to face the upcoming challenges (Bonn, â€Å"Developing Strategic Thinking as a Core Competency†).In the middle of the turmoil and intricacy of the modern business wo rld, the successful organizations are those which are aware that, even as it is not viable to observe the future, they can acquire a perspective for the future that would offer them certain indications as to what might be in-store in future. Such organizations then plan accordingly to be prepared for the upcoming events as per their future perspective.  For this type of approach, the management of an organization needs to accept an innovative planning pattern that consists of observing the organization in the perspective of an open system atmosphere.   Such observation will make the organization better positioned to recognize and respond to upcoming events (Bonn, â€Å"Developing Strategic Thinking as a Core Competency†). This would also enable the organization to bring about the changes necessary in those surroundings and also influence the probable changes effecting the organization. The sustainability and performance of an organization in today’s dynamic economi c environment, thus depends on the application of strategic thinking to accomplish required organizational changes. This raises few apparent questions. What is strategic thinking? How can it be employed in accomplishing organizational change? What is the link between organizational culture and strategic thinking? Strategic Thinking – The Why-What-How Approach Richard Hughes and Katherine Beatty have described strategic thinking as â€Å"the collection, interpretation, generation, and evaluation of information and ideas that shape an organization’s sustainable competitive advantage†, in their book ‘Becoming a Strategic Leader’ (Switzer, â€Å"Strategic Thinking in Fast Growing Organizations†). Strategic thinking is a top-down overall observation of the whole organization on the basis of complete understanding of the business of the organization. Thus, strategic thinking consists of observing emerging trends, recognizing if the trends signify o pportunities or intimidation to the business organization. Strategic thinking also involves developing a response of the organization to earn benefit from the prospective opportunity or to alleviate the potential threat

Research and Statistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Research and Statistics - Essay Example The undertakers of the research may not be cognizant of the underlying level of understanding of the questions by the respondents because there is no personal contact with them. There are specific questions contained in the questionnaires, the researcher may miss important information that could help to deduce the attributes of the people that are the topic of research (Kothari, 2005, pp 47-50). Interviewing is a qualitative method of research where there is a conversation between the researcher and the interviewees. It is a strategy used by researchers to deduce the experience of the targeted group by asking a set of relevant questions via the telephone, the internet or in physical contact with them. The interview should be clear, interpretative, knowledgeable, and critical and should remember the subject matter. Interviews can target individuals (personal interview) or target a group of people (group interviews). An example of interview is the one to investigate the thoughts children have about education and their mental state regarding this issue. This may be to assess the mental state of children (Rubin & Babbie, 2011, pp 82-84). Interviews have their limitations. It might be difficult to plan the time and meeting point for the interview. The participants can reschedule the interview or worse even sabotage it. Interviewers have the task of making the interviewees feel comfortable. There are instances where interviewees are hostile to the interviewers based on race, culture or even personal feelings (Tarantino & Peary,1998, pp 65-70). The main purpose of the research is mainly to define effect the expectations would have on the performance of the children in the reading test. This is a mental hypothesis; increase in the performance of the children with increased expectation in the reading test. The dependent variable within the research is the performance of the prevailing children and it is measurable. It is mental since it is

Job Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Job - Personal Statement Example My academic experience and professional qualifications harnessed my skills and prepared me for the responsibilities that go with the position. I am deeply dedicated to the accomplishment of required endeavors and am committed to being instrumental in creating progress and development to the organization I am connected with. I am enthusiastic to offer my professional services as part of the accounting team of your prestigious institution. Since I am still attending Baltimore City Community College, majoring in accounting, I have been committed to continue a career with your firm. I have taken two business classes and received As. I also have taken three Accounting classes and received no less than Bs. In these classes I became skillful and adept in using Microsoft office. I am well aware that TSA is consistently in pursuit of people who are ambitious, competitive, with a strong focus to succeed and a force to work for the betterment of mankind. I would like to continue to be part of your workforce being guided by values of integrity, honest dealing, treating everyone with respect and dignity, striving for mutual advantage, transparency and contributing to human

Budget of a city Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Budget of a city - Research Paper Example Each department head articulates their own segment of the budget and presents it to the Village Manager and the Financial Director and consequently funds are allocated in accordance with the evaluations made. The estimations made are then finalized and presented to the Finance Committee and Village Board for review and direction which is then adopted by the Mayor and Board of Trustees (The Village of Niles 1-20). THESIS STATEMENT This paper intends to conduct a descriptive study of the budget prepared for the Village of Niles for the FY 2014.The paper would also provide a detailed study of the different priorities of the budget plan along with the sources of funding for the entity and their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, an explanation of the different segments where the money would be spent would also be provided in the paper. Different ways in which the local government could handle an economic recession would also be ascertained. DISCUSSION Explanation of the Priorities of the Budget Plan. It is considered that every budget plan is prepared with a prime motive. Fiscal budget is essentially prepared to support a number of imperative facets of a nation that require adequate assistances. With reference to the FY budget 2014 of Village of Niles, a few of the priorities that have been stated are listed hereunder: Community Development The community development department is essentially associated with issuing building permits, providing inspectional services within the village and keeping a track of the business and rental licensing within the village. Moreover, the department is also associated with property maintenance inspection within the village. It is worth mentioning that since 2013 the department has also undertaken the responsibility of the Fire Prevention Bureau and economic development marketing of the village. The major reason behind selecting the community development department as one of the priorities for the FY budget 2014 is to develop th e village zoning code in order to meet the growing need of the community, develop short term and long term goals with an aim to develop the economic condition of the village and also to market the village in the national level. The budget also aims to develop the information technology (IT) software associated with the licensing, maintenance and health division within the village for better efficiency that would facilitate to provide more quality services to the public. The budget allotted for the department also covers vital facets such as amended language for Chapter 46, Fire Prevention. It has not been addressed by the government. The budget also aims at inspecting 1300 business within the village (The Village of Niles 28-35). General Government Department The General Government Department is concerned with two primary objectives i.e. to provide high quality service to the villagers and to maximize the efficiency of village service delivery through the use of cost efficiencies. T he vital reason behind selecting the department as the other priority for the FY budget 2014 is to establish a coordinated relation amid the elected officials and the staff of the different departments within the village. The budget allotted for the department also aims to update the emergency operation center plan, the department also plans to collaborate with the Niles Park District Plan for conducting successful

Australian Business Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Australian Business Law - Essay Example Peter has $5,000 in his savings and intends to use this to purchase a state of the art bicycle and textbooks. Peter searches the internet for online bicycle stores as he had heard that you can have a good deal of second hand bicycles online. Peter finds a good selection on tourbikes.com.au (Tour bikes). The bicycle he finds is described as follows. â€Å"This is one of the most sought after bicycles we currently have in stock. It is the same model that was used by Cadel Evans when he won tour de france, a cadel evans â€Å"GF†. This model is in short supply in the second hand market and presents a rare opportunity for purchasers. This bicycle has been completely restored and refurbished. There are new tyres and new chain. The seat is extremely comfortable and comes in a dashing green colour. This bike is joy to ride. $6,000. Payment is due upon delivery† Peter really wants to purchase this bicycle but doesn’t have sufficient amount of money for the same and his t extbooks. Peter wants to know a little more about the bicycle, so he telephones the owner and sole proprietor of tourbikes, sally. Peter asks what it means in the advert that it has been â€Å"restored and refurbished†. Sally responds that: â€Å"That means that we have ensured that the frame of the bicycle is sound and has been repainted. It also includes replacement of gears and replacement of any damaged spokes.† Peter thanks sally and immediately email tour bikes the following information. â€Å"I would like to purchase the Cadell Evans GF that is advertised for sale on your website. I believe that a second hand is only worth $4,000 at best. Please advice if you are willing to sell to me the bicycle for this amount via email by close of business tomorrow. I would also like you to arrange for immediate delivery.† Immediately, Burt a middle aged cycling enthusiast has also seen the bike advertised for sale at tour bikes website. He is a Cadell Evans fan and al so emails tour bikes at the same time that Peter does. â€Å" I want to buy the Cadell Evans GF that has been listed. I will pay you $5,000† Sally reads the emails as soon as they enter the inbox and replies to Burt’s only. â€Å"Thank you for your interest in our product, the Cadell Evans restored bicycle. I cannot sell that amazing bicycle for that little. However, I will accept $5,500† Burt does not respond until 4pm the following day â€Å"Thank you for your response but I don’t think the bike is worth that much. I am no longer interested.† Sally really needs to sell the bike. She has an outstanding account with her creditors and needs to make a payment of $4,000 within the next few days otherwise she runs the risk of the bank foreclosing on her mortgage. Sally checks the time and it is 4:30pm and notes that she still has 30mins before close of business. She emails peter. â€Å"Thank you for your interest in our product. The Cadell Evans resto red bicycle. I will sell the bike to you at $4,000. I have organized immediate delivery. Payment of $4,000 is due upon delivery as specified.† The email enters Peter’s inbox at 4:45pm, (15 minutes to Closure of Business). Meanwhile, Peter is on orientation camp at the University and does not have access to his email for a period of three days. When peter returns home and checks his email, he sees an email from Sally. Peter emails Sally saying that he is sorry and he is no longer interested in buying the bicycle. He no longer wants to buy such a good bicycle for his courier job as he has just heard

Delaney and Madigan Essay Example for Free

Delaney and Madigan Essay Contrary to what some may believe, surf culture is much deeper and extends beyond a surfboard and some waves. Surfing, along with other sports, provides concrete examples of cultural differences based on variations between regions (Delaney and Madigan 2009: 62). The surf lingo between Australia, Hawaii, and California, for example, are quite different. Local surfers also approach competition differently and have different preferences regarding anything from wave type to the surfboard they like to use. The rise of competitions in places such as Australia and California also sparked the development of surf sub-cultures. Although they are all based upon original Hawaiian surf traditions, these cultures became much more localized and accessible to those who were not from the Polynesian islands, but still wished to partake in the world of surfing and embrace the surfing lifestyle (Goggans and DiFranco 2004: 434). So what, exactly, is the average surfer’s lifestyle and what is surf culture? According to Mike Doyle who was voted as 1964’s and 1965’s Best Surfer in Surfer Magazine, won the Duke Kahanamoku Classic in 1969, and who placed first in Peru at the 1970 World Championships it is about surfing to live and living to surf (California Surf Museum 2010). Doyle’s life is the quintessential surfer’s lifestyle, living as â€Å"†¦a super-athlete with a clear mind and a deep appreciation for nature and the elements†¦ True to his nature, [he has built] a new tree-house to sleep in. When people question, ‘When are you going to grow up? ’ he considers it verification that his perfect lifestyle is still intact† (California Surf Museum†. Surf culture essentially counterbalances the lifestyle of fast-paced business, big cities, and the stresses of everyday life. It has even developed its own category of relaxed fashion, with flip flops and board shorts becoming the iconic surf wardrobe (Lanagan 2002: 284). Consider what is required to be a surfer a board and a few good waves. Compared to the rest of the world, it is extremely minimal; and if one were to make a living as a professional surfer, it is evident that they would not face the same day to day conflicts and sources of anxiety as the average person. Surfers are not known as being wealthy; but with their appreciation for nature as opposed to fancy cars and houses, perhaps it is the simplicity of their lifestyle that enables them to live such peaceful and happy lives. Although living life as a surfer can be quite peaceful, surf culture is still built upon the concept of extreme sports. Extreme sports â€Å"†¦involve pitting oneself against the elements of one’s environment, whether natural or architectural. Their appeal derives from reintroducing and then individually confronting risk, the dangers of personal injury being chiefly mitigated by honing physical skills and mental preparation† (Laviolette 2007: 1). The fact that the surf lifestyle may be virtually stress-free does not negate the risks associated with the sport; and these risks are often the most appealing aspect of surfing. To surf, in theory, is to tame the ocean’s waves with nothing but a surfboard and one’s own body. The idea that the ocean, as vast and powerful as it is, could be ridden upon with a board is very intoxicating. Aside from drowning, there are other risks such as jellyfish or sharks, even though they are relatively rare. Rocky cliffs and coral reefs also present some danger of injury, especially if a surfer is thrown into a reef or cliff by a strong wave. Still, the ability to put oneself into a risky situation and come out unharmed can be extremely thrilling for some, which is why it is not uncommon for advanced surfers to seek out enormous waves near rocky cliffs (Waitt 2008: 81). The mental thrill that one gets when surfing, therefore, far outweighs any risks that they may face by partaking in this sport.