Importance of Inter-professional Working in Nursing Practice

Importance of Inter-professional Working in Nursing Practice Inter-professional working is constantly promoted to professionals within the health and social care sector. Various terms such as interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and interagency collaboration working have been used to promote professionals to work together with the patient, carers, relations, services and other professionals (SCIE, 2009). This Paper will explore the importance of inter-professional working in nursing practice, due to nurses supporting and treating a variety of patients. This paper will discuss the general importance of inter-professionalism as part of good nursing practice, it will use examples of adult stroke patients and children who have cerebral palsy. These two conditions have been chosen because they allow the paper to explore two different age groups and the needs of patients who tend to have complex social and healthcare needs. There is also a wealth of literature available on these conditions which helps highlight the need for nurses to work effectivel y with other health and social care professionals, service providers and carers. Patients initially tend to see nurses either alone on arrival at accident and emergency departments, or in conjunction with a medical practitioner. Therefore, the duration of time that a nurse spends with a patient tends to be longer than most other health/medical professionals (Godfrey, 2012). Ward nurses who work on hospital wards, provide care and support to admitted patients throughout their whole stay. This length of time spent with the patients allow them to be familiar with the patient, hence allowing them to recognise changes in a patients health and also to identify any new needs. Often, patients need to see more than one health/medical professional in their stay at the hospital, due to their health needs. Despite these professionals possessing specialist skills to support or treat specific health concerns that the patient may have, often the health recommendations that are given to the patient need to be performed routinely even when the patient is not in the presence of th is specialist. Therefore, allied health professionals tend to advise, seek the support of, or hand specific recommendations over to nurses. This is often seen between nurses and physiotherapists in mobility recommendations, this is because nurses often have to mobilise a patient out of hours as recommended by the physiotherapist (Godfrey, 2012). This avoids the patient having to wait for a physiotherapist on weekends, or to become frustrated due to being in one position for long periods of time and it also supports the overall hospital service aim of better patient outcomes. Similarly patients with complex physical issues, minimal mobility or neurological complications, such as stroke patients, need to be regularly moved to avoid pressure ulcers developing. In addition to this, regaining mobility gradually is often part of a patients stroke rehabilitation programme. Clear guidelines and training are given, as recommended by NICE, to nurses to perform safe moving and handling techniques on patients. These guidelines advise 2-3 trained professionals to move a patient who is bed bound, depending on the patients movement ability and weight (Jacob et al, 2007). If this is a stroke patient this needs to be done on recommendation of a physiotherapist (RCP, 2012). Therefore, it is important for nurses to communicate effectively with other health and social care professionals when moving and handling a patient who may have complex needs, as nurses may need specialist recommendations by the physiotherapist, or the patient may have medical equipment attached to the m which needs to be handled carefully or removed temporarily. Safe moving and handling techniques as part of a team effort not only promotes good health and social care practice, it also decreases the risk of injury to a nurse. This is particularly important as moving and handling injuries have been the most common causes of staff absence for a period of 3 days and longer between the years of 2007 and 2013 (Anderson, 2014). A key feature of hospital care is information sharing through ward rounds done by doctors and other health professionals. The aim of this is to provide patient care which can be delivered in a timely manner, but it also allows the multidisciplinary team involved with the patient to plan their future care and treatments. Nurses input via reporting to colleagues their judgement and observations on the patients current health state is not only vital for better care planning in the future, but it is also important because nurses can often voice the preferences that patients have expressed to them, hence promoting the principle of patient centred care (RCP and RCN, 2012). Furthermore, due to the direct care ward nurses give on their shift throughout the day to allocated patients, they often recognise the general deterioration of a patients health and wellbeing before other health professionals and doctors. Therefore, it is extremely important for the safety and well-being of patients for nurses to liaise with doctors regularly to manage the change of symptoms as soon as possible. Even though patient care planning is revisited and documented regularly by health and medical professionals when changes are needed for the patient, formal multidisciplinary meetings allow improved outcomes for the patient, an example of an improved outcome is when Stroke Early Discharge Support Teams can discharge patients earlier, allowing them to more likely be independent sooner in their daily tasks (Clarke, 2013). The multi-disciplinary team who has contributed to this evidence has consisted of specialist medical practitioners, various speciality therapists, dietitian, a care manager, nurses and sometimes a social worker. Nurses, due to possessing past history medical notes and the knowledge of relations who visit the patient, can usually provide the occupational therapist and the allocated social worker with information on key relations of the patient that maybe useful to contact prior to discharge. Also, nurses through conversation can gather information on the patients living situation at home. This is paramount in discharge planning for stroke patients as sometimes they are unable to communicate fully and clearly their living environment at home, as stroke can impact an individuals ability to communicate verbally and physically. Also, if patients have few or no relations living with them, they may need home care via nursing staff or telecare equipment which can support risks of injury or allow individuals to alert emergency care services via sensory equipment when they have a fall or another stroke which results them to fall. Even though occupational therapists will do assessments of the environment which the patient resides in (EKUHFT, 2015), nurses can often give the therapist insight on any issue the patient has had in their stay at the hospital, an example of this may be that the patient has difficulty lowering themselves to sit on the toilet, the occupational therapist would usually request for a grab/hand rail to be fitted in the patients home to support them to do this action. Patient care planning via inter-professional working is also fundamental to children who have been born with Cerebral Palsy. Nurses with specialist roles such as Health visitors, provide a community based service to cerebral palsy patients and their families. This differs to the role of nurses on the ward as Health visitors review the health of the patient in reference to their living environment and public health needs, hence allowing them to identify the wider health needs of the family too (Alexander, 2014).. Due to cerebral palsy being a non-curable condition the child and the family/carers of the child will regularly receive treatments and support from an extended network of health and social care professionals and also educational specialists and support staff (NHS, 2014). Therefore, health visitors need to be able to create successful inter-professional relations with professionals who are external to the health and social care industry such as educational psychologists, by un derstanding the role and service that the professional is providing to the patient. It is also vital to understand roles due to the referral systems we have in the United Kingdom, both within hospital and community care. Furthermore, policies can differ between the local authority, the NHS and private healthcare providers and the child and his/her family may have chosen to have a specific care package which the health visitor may not be aware of (Know your rights, 2015; NHS, 2013). Also, Health visitors often need to liaise with professionals who are not employed by the NHS or another private healthcare provider but by a local authority instead. This can mean the caseload is allocated differently, waiting times may differ and methods of referral may differ too. Therefore, to ensure that the patients transition is efficient and positive from immediate hospital care to accessing community based services, nurses need to be aware of the basic structure and logistics of other services. This awareness needs to be raised more specifically in the working environment for younger student nurses or graduate nurses who may not know the difference between certain professional roles, as despite accredited nursing programmes having modules or lessons in multidisciplinary practice covering the importance of knowing the roles of other health and social care professionals, sometimes there is confusion between specialists who support patients or service users with the same condition(s). A classic misunderstanding is a student nurse struggling to understand the difference between a mental health social worker and a mental health nurse, who can both work for community based teams and may be employed by the local authority (The Masked AMHP, 2012). The administration of medication is another role that nurses carry out in health and social care settings. The administration or preparation of medication is usually done by using the skills learnt from their training, instructions from the pharmacist or manufacturer guidelines. However, human error in the administration or preparation or omission of the medication can put the patient at risk of poor health or even death (NICE, 2014). Hospital pharmacists and dispensing staff function in a fast paced environment, hence processing prescriptions for medications that are needed for patients on the ward who vary in conditions. Some medications are needed urgently and human error can occur on the behalf of pharmacist or dispensing staff. Despite pharmacy staff recording clinical errors as part of their good clinical practise, nurses also need to be aware of these errors for the patients safety and awareness also needs to be raised to other nursing colleagues of the issue because the patie nts health may need to be checked regularly. . Furthermore, as doctors complete prescriptions for the request of medications, nursing staff only follow the patients drug chart in administrating the medication, hence it is vital for the nurse to understand what the doctor is prescribing the medication for (UHS, 2015). This is important to know as the nurse may observe patient changes after the patient has had the medication, which need to be recorded. To avoid error and to justify their clinical actions in medical administration of drugs, nurses need to be able to follow the advice and instructions of both the doctor and pharmacist, therefore effective and open communication allows questions to be asked and concerns to be raised, hence creating a strong working relationship. This protects not only the patient but it also improves working relationships between medical and nursing staff. Also, nursing staff and doctors caring and treating patients with cerebral palsy have to work using a comprehensive rehabilitation approach, which includes working alongside physiatrists who manage anti-spasticity medication and review medical complications associated with cerebral palsy. Hence, nursing staff need to have a broad understanding of the specialisms of the medical practitioners that they are liaising with, as often nursing staff liaise with several different specialists. To conclude, inter-professional working is clearly important for all health and social care staff, however it is extremely important for nursing staff because their varied role requires them to liaise with different professionals, settings and patients. Also, as nurses can now undertake CPD to specialise in areas such as such as stroke, diabetes, palliative care and disability, their role has changed from providing traditional nursing through practical care to now being able to provide specialist advice to the patient and relations on the management of the condition. (Niece McEwen, 2015). For nurses to be successful in their specialist roles they need to create positive working relationships with other health/medical staff, non-clinical professionals, carers/families and most importantly the patient. Furthermore, due to the demand of nurses in non-clinical settings such as homes and schools, for nurses to practice effectively they need to be able to understand the roles of professio nals practicing in community settings as often these professionals can provide the nurse with how the patient functions in their daily life. Due to ward nurses providing care throughout their shift, usually to the same patients, the greater length of time with the patient allows them to have a better insight to the patient and their health whilst in care of that ward. This allows them to feed back to fellow nurses and other health/medical professionals any changes that need to be made to the patients care plans. It seems not only is patient care improved by inter-professional working but also the skills and knowledge of nursing staff is also developed by learning from other professionals, it is likely that in the future, guidelines will further advise nurses to work more inter-professionally with other professionals. Bibliography Alexander, C. (2014) Growing into the role. Nursing Standard. 28 (20). p. 63. Anderson, M.P, Carlisle, S, Thomson, C, Ross, C, Reid, H.J, Hart, N.D, Clarkle, A. (2014) Safe moving and handling of patients: an interprofessional approach. Nursing Standard. 28 (46). p. 37-41. Clarke, D.J. (2013) The role of multidisciplinary team care in stroke rehabilitation. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 17 (4). p. 5-8. East Kent Hospitals University. (2015) The Stroke multidisciplinary team. [Online] Available from:Â  http://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/services/elderly-services/stroke-services/stroke-care/the-stroke-multidisciplinary-team Godfrey, K. (2012) Is interdisciplinary the new multidisciplinary? [Online] Available from:Â  http://www.nursingtimes.net/opinion/nt-blog/is-interdisciplinary-the-new-multidisciplinary/5052155.blog Jacob, A, Rekha, R, Tarachand, J.S. (2007) Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Limited: New Delhi. Know your rights. (2015) 02. Your right to Health and Social Care. [Online] Available from:Â  http://www.know-your-rights.org.uk/02.html National Health Service. (2013) Who Pays? Determining responsibility for payments to providers. [Online] Available from:Â  https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/who-pays.pdf National Health Service. (2014) Cerebral palsy – treatment. [Online] Available from:Â  http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cerebral-palsy/Pages/Treatment.aspx National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2014) Safe staffing for nursing in adult inpatient wards in acute hospitals. [Online] Available from:Â  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/sg1/chapter/9-safe-nursing-indicators#safe-nursing-indicator-medication-administration-errors Nies, M.A, McEwen, M. (2015) Community/Public Health nursing: Promoting the Health of Populations. Elsevier Saunders: Missouri. Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Nursing. (2012) Ward Rounds in medicine: principles for best practice. [Online] Available from:Â  https://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/479329/004342.pdf Royal College of Physicians. (2012) National Clinical guideline for stroke. [Online] Available from:Â  https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/sites/default/files/national-clinical-guidelines-for-stroke-fourth-edition.pdf/ Social Care Institute for Excellence. (2009) Interprofessional and inter-agency collobration. [Online] Available from:Â  http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2009/08/03/interprofessional-and-inter-agency-collaboration/ The Masked, AMHP. (2012) Maintaining identity as a social worker in a multidisciplinary team. [Online] Available from:Â  http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/social-life-blog/2012/jul/20/social-work-in-multidisciplinary-teams University Hospital Southampton. (2015) Section 1 – Prescription Writing. [Online] Available from:Â  http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/suhtideal/Doctors/SaferPrescribingWorkbook/Section1-Prescriptionwriting.pdf

Separates Science From All Other Human Activities Philosophy Essay

Separates Science From All Other Human Activities Philosophy Essay Science is distinguished for its changeable nature of conclusions. It addresses the method  used to reach conclusions; the ideas of verification, falsification, and the thought that science presents its theories with a degree of probability. The conclusions in science are conditional because currently they are considered to be true, but according to the nature of the science, they are subject to change. Science is defined as knowledge gained by systematic experimentation and analysis (Munday). What distinguishes the sciences from other areas is a very different method of finding truth. The definition of truth in this case is what works in practice or is useful to us because science is heavily based on the pragmatic theory (Munday). The question is perhaps misleading since it doesnt mention which type of science is implied; natural science, human science, or ethical science Science is a provisional human activity; this can be observed when comparing areas of knowledge in terms of pr ovisional conclusions. Science is a practice where truth is supported through experimentation and observations. It is a posteriori knowledge, meaning that it is knowledge that is derived from experience or empirical evidence. People state that science is based on too many assumptions, and the rules always change, therefore, we should employ other ways of knowing such as our perception. In my view, the main reason we should appreciate this way of knowing; the conclusions of science are changeable. These regular changes show that even though we might never find out the truth, we are progressing in subjects such as biology, physics, chemistry, etc. However, by expressing it as a pragmatic way of knowing, we can see that science is about discovering the truth. This truth may not be the perfect truth such as outlined by Plato with his idea of ideal forms. This truth is more concerned with value or usefulness. Within the history of science, scientific laws and theories have been changed or have been disproved. F or example, there was a cubical atom theory that stated that all atoms had a shape of a cube (Munday). This theory was disproved by many scientists such as Bohr and Rutherford (Munday). We now have a different prediction of what the atom is due to quantum mechanics (Munday). However, if you take account of Quantum Theory, then even the conclusions about the physical world become highly provisional reality is no longer deterministic and mechanistic, and some of our conclusions about this reality end up being provisional. Scientific knowledge is derived from the use of a precise, rigorous method that involves inductive logic. For example, if I observe that water always boils at 100 °C when I am cooking (Arnhart), I assume that this will always be the case (induction). However, if I were to boil water in Denver, Colorado, a location 1.6 km above sea level, I would discover that the water now boils at 94 °C, as the pressure on the liquid is reduced (Arnhart). As we can see, the ind uctive component of the scientific method can sometimes lead to an incorrect hypothesis. Even if a scientific theory has been rigorously tested one million times there is always the possibility that an exception will be found, and hence the theory falsified. Karl Popper acknowledged this problem and suggested that a hypothetical deductive method should be used, whereby false hypotheses are discarded through trials and disproof (Arnhart). This means we cannot prove a theory is correct; we can only prove that a hypothesis is false. Thus we can never know that a scientific theory is true; the reason why scientific conclusions are provisional. For instance, a scientist is trying to find a cure for cancer, but instead finds out how a persons brain works, he still expands our knowledge of all the things around us, even though that scientist was trying to find a different answer. This usefulness always reshapes our knowledge since it brings in new ideas and models that attempt to explain t he patterns that are all around us and where conclusions are made according to the current knowledge. Our knowledge is available to adapt by being provisional. With science, we accept our limitations of todays instruments, and we analyze the situation and what we can potentially do for further knowledge or experimentation. Science doesnt stop improving our customs of experimenting even though we know we cant reach the perfect truth (Plato) making it provisional even if it may seem to be currently true. Science is so relied upon for this reason that it advances our society. One of the main differences between the Natural and Human Sciences (ethics, history) is the object of study: while the Natural Sciences observe and experiment on the world of nature, the Human Sciences focus more on human behaviour. Humans are, arguably, less predictable and stable than the natural world, so the conclusions about our behaviour should be more provisional than the conclusions reached. Although science is the answer to many of our disputes, it is based mostly on theoretical predictions, and that creates a fallacy. For example, scientists in a university have made a device to clean and purify water for the people in South Africa and they have sent it to Africa (Arnhart). Once the device was in use, it killed 45% of the people in 3 weeks. A study relived that the filter used did stop Cysts (bacteria) from going through initially but these bacteria started to grow inside the filter clogging the filter. Nothing was noticed because the bacteria were so small, and the pressur e of the water squeezed the 4.5 micron bacteria into the 1 micron holes of the filter. In theory, filter was a valid device to use to clean the water but when in application is failed. These predictions are based on theoretical assumptions. Even though our limitations can be accurate even, this accuracy is not perfect; we try to achieve the best at finding a conclusion. Yet, the uncertainty of the conclusion can still prove it false, and so the science turns provisional. Math is a very different area of knowledge. The only difference today is that math is much more complex in applications of basic principles. The definition of math is the system of quantities, forms, space and their relationships in use of numbers and symbols.   The Egyptians came up with simple functions such as addition. These functions are still useful since we substitute symbols to represent difference concepts in reality. The symbols and applications might differ, but the expressions stay the same. The ancient Greeks used symbols rather than numbers; equations, they came up with were the same. One may deduce that math is not a provisional subject. In many ways, math is the foundation of other areas of knowledge such as analysis and measurement in sciences. In some cases, wed never find out more about certain topics. For instance, the string theory can only be proven with math because physically we cant comprehend eleven dimensions. Multiplication will not change over time comp ared to a scholar learning how his brain works- he will soon have to update his knowledge because what we know in the field of science always changes. Today, scientists try to link the missing puzzle pieces; however, once a scientist connects a puzzle to the whole picture, and it is perceived to be the correct placement, then more and more questions arise. Furthermore, in math, once something is proved, it is no longer contested. For example, today nobody should argue that two multiplied by five is not ten. Math, arguably, is a human construct; it is up to us to make up symbols that would represent the patterns that we encounter. The knowledge and conclusions of math arent that provisional but its application is. Like science, art has many changing conclusions. When a person looks at a picture, he invariably interprets it and evaluates it. However, when a different individual looks at the same picture, he might interpret it in a very different way. These interpretations can vary because of many aspects. Ones age, for example; there is a painting of a cow (Arnhart). An elder might think of it as a source of meat, while a boy might see a joy ride (Arnhart). Thus each person has concluded on a different interpretation and this uncertainly on which is the true conclusion makes the art as a area of knowledge provisional. Generally, conclusions in art are based on the frames of reference of the person that is evaluating the art piece with a personal experience or posteriori knowledge. Thus, art is provisional in nature because even one painting might have different conclusions based on it. By comparing math, sciences, and art one can see that the knowledge gained from the sciences change; however, it is not the only subject that is provisional, that is shown through subjects such as art and history. Even one art piece can have many conclusions associated with it. The statement what separates science from all other human activities is its belief in the provisional nature of all conclusions (Michael Shermer, www.edge.com) is only partly true since science is provisional; however, that doesnt separate it from all other human activities. Math is an example of a static subject whereas, science is a subject open to debates and updates. We might think that sciences are not important to us since what we know now as the truth always changes; however, we must understand that a person who is confident that he knows everything will never learn. Through science we accept that our knowledge is limited, and we strive to improve what we already have. Even though some scientific knowle dge is considered be truth, it is still provisional since science is focused on disproving predictions and not on gathering enough evidence to make the conclusion valid or sound. Without science, one may argue, we would never achieve the advancements that we are fortunate to have today. Word Count: 1652

Selling Your Used Car Essay -- essays research papers fc

Process Essay Thesis: The majority of the American population has very little, or no understanding of the used car trade. A simple understanding on when and where to sell, how to get your car ready, writing a classified ad, negotiating, and making a contract.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With consumer demand rising and supply constrained by several factors, including the tendency of new-car owners to hang on to them longer, prices for used vehicles have been climbing steadily. According to one recent study, nearly three times as many shoppers now want to buy a used, rather than a new, vehicle. (Dalglish)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In trying to find the perfect buyer, your options include: new-car dealers, used-car dealers, and friends and strangers. New-car dealers are generally eager and ready to buy. They are incredibly picky about every aspect of a car’s condition. New-car dealers will be choosy about the make and model, preferring newer models in relatively good condition.(Makower) They will pay a relatively low price for the car. Used-car dealers are also eager to buy and incredibly picky about every aspect of a car’s condition. But they aren’t very choosy about the cars they buy. However, they will pay a rock-bottom price for the car. Friends and strangers are usually eager and ready to buy. They will be much less picky, and rely more on your word for information. They will be choosy about the car, but will already be interested in the car through your ad. You will get the best price, through negotiations, but you have to work harder. The best time to sell is in t he springtime when the weather turns nice. Other good times are in September when kids are going off to college; and in the dead of winter, when there is no competition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is possible to turn the average used-car into a saleable commodity in just a few hours. You should dress up your car, regardless of the condition you normally keep it in. You want to make it clean, neat, and even smelling nice. You must do this to the entire car, inside and out, from one end to the other. Most car buyers understand that appearance is a good indicator of how well someone treated the car overall. Nine important steps to take are: washing and waxing, painting and touching up, cleaning your tires, a thorough cleaning of the interior, gather all the important documents, steam... ...importantly, make copies of everything you sign. The bill of sale is the basic car-buying document that records the transaction. The following should be included: the date of the sale, year and make and model of the car, state registration, VIN number, odometer reading, amount sale is for, extra conditions, and the buyer’s and seller’s names and addresses and phone numbers. Make sure that each party gets a copy of the bill of sale.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A large percentage of the population uses the automobile regularly. The majority of the population, over 90%, has little or no understanding of the car buying art. (Robertson) Many people feel that selling their car themselves can be a real hassle. But, if you can realize that you will get several hundred dollars more than what a dealer might offer you, it just may be worth a little effort and time on your part. Works Cited Dalglish, Brenda. â€Å"Better Than New: used-car prices jump as consumer demand grows.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Maclean’s 10 Jul. 1995: 22-24 Makower, Joel. How to Sell a Used Car. New York: Perigee Books, 1988. Robertson, C.B. How to Deal on an Automobile. Lyons: Blue Mountain Publisher, 1988.

Movie: The Mission Essay -- essays research papers

Movie: The Mission The movie, "The Mission," is about how the Spanish in cooperation with Pourtugal try to get the Jesuits off land negotiated by the two countries. The Spanish Church sends people into Asuncion, Paraguay to persuade the Jesuits to get off the land. The film includes spiritual and political activities the are reflected through the church, natives, and the Jesuits. What the movie mainly tried to show was that the Church wanted to maintain control over the Jesuits. To show that control, they went to Paraguay and tried to persuade the Jesuits to leave. The Spanish allowed them to take care of the matter to prove that. Spain and Portugal had negotiated the treaty of Tordesillias. In this treaty the two countries split the western world into two parts where Spain can have one half and Portugal the other. In the newer version of the treaty, the line that split the land was moved in favor of Portugal. On that land, missionaries had already set up missions. To better the economy for Portugal, the Spanish Church was sent in to get the Jesuits out. The would be effected by the continuation of the Jesuits because of the slave trade. If the Jesuits stayed, the Indians would have a spiritual leader . To brake their faith the Jesuits would have to be removed. Near the end of the movie, the Spanish do try to break the faith of the Indians. Father John is ...

Lessons Concerning Staffing Decisions and Bringing About School Change Essay

Gary Hopkins, in his article, enumerated some of the lessons learned by principals on making staff decisions and bringing about school change. These lessons came from the principals that have learned them from mistakes made first hand. They hope to give advice to new school administrators or even those current ones in decision-making regarding staff members, hiring new ones, and making changes with school tradition or policy. Hopkins (2004), in one of his headings, said that â€Å"hiring decisions are the most importatnt decisions. One principal confessed that he had hired a teachers who should have been on an IEP (Individualized Education Program) herself. The principal confessed that he had just listened to verbal recommendations only and did not make any further background check on the teacher before hiring her. The lesson: don’t do a â€Å"reference check without asking specific, detailed questions on the performance and personality background of a potential candidate† (Hopkins 2004). Another lesson when it comes to the staff is involving them to the decision-making. Collaboration and participation is imperative,† (Hopkins 2004) according to one of the principals in Hopkins’ article. Listening to staff members will ensure their support in any decisions made most of the time, whether they agree with it or not. â€Å"People will often accept a decision or outcome contrary to what they wanted oiginally if they believe their point of view was listened to respectfully and taken into consideration,† (Hopkins 2004) that’s according to another principal in Hopkins’ article. Another principal adviced that recognizing of teachers, or just saying ‘thanks’ for any favor will pay back tenfold. In the end, she held that â€Å"what we do is all about people, not policy. This is not to say that we don’t follow policy, but we have a lot of flexibility when deciding what is best for kids† (Hopkins 2004). However, the most difficult situation that the principal may face is when proposing or deciding to change something within the school, even if it is for the best interest of the students. One principal shared that â€Å"the biggest challenge I have found is balancing the need to both honor a school’s past and move it into the future†¦ I constantly struggle with how to delicately let people know that sometimes ‘the way we’ve always done it’ is just not good enough† (Hopkins 2004). Bringing about change is really a difficult task in any field, not just with education. Even when one has already made the step to listen to the members’ opinions, people most of the times are afraid of change and will oppose it rigorously. Finding the right blend of diplomacy and chiding, professional development and empowerment, top-down delivery and delegation are just a handful of the issues principals must consider as they lead their schools toward change,† according to Hopkins (2004). What really is alarming is that some people are reluctant at improvement. One principal stated that â€Å"the biggest goof I made early in my career as a principal was believing that everyone on the staff felt the same way I did about raising standards, improving academics, and reforming schools in general† (Hopkins 2004). He specified about one of the schools this principal led: â€Å"even though our test scores were near the bottom in our school district, most staff members were content. Our drop-out rates, discipline stats, and attendance were at the bottom too. As one teacher put it to me: Well, somebody has to be at the bottom† (Hopkins 2004). Hopkins’ article is an eye-opener for the realities of school administration. Other principals surely must learn something from this, but students and their parents, and other concerned teachers and school staff may also find something to learn and act accordingly to improve education standards.

Chronicle of a Death Foretold and the Stranger Essay

Conflict Resulting From the Negative Effects of Rigid Societal Expectations in A Chronicle of A Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and The Stranger by Albert Camus Everyone has felt the pressure of societal expectations during their lifetime. The negative effects society brings on one’s life can lead to a feeling of rejection towards the people who do not conform to meet those standards. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of Chronicle of a Death Foretold, and Albert Camus, author of The Stranger, both construct the external moral conflict of society versus the protagonist in order to critique the way society fails to accept the moral values of the people who differ from the norm. In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Gabriel Garcia Marquez emphasizes the central conflict of society versus the protagonist, based on beliefs and values, through the controversy leading up to the murder of Santiago Nasar, which is based on family honor and pre-marital sex. When Pedro and Pablo Vicario ask their sister, Angela Vicario, who had stolen her virginity, her response is described as â€Å"She only took the time necessary to say the name †¦ and she nailed it to the wall with her well-aimed dart, like a butterfly with no will whose sentence has already been written. ‘Santiago Nasar,’ she said†(47). Describing Angela’s response as â€Å"only took the time necessary† indicates that she is trying to put the blame on Santiago, making him a scapegoat, in order to protect the true man who took her virginity before marriage. In the Latin American society, where the setting of the novella takes place, it is not acceptable for a woman to have pre-marital sex due to the beliefs and morals of Catholics. Santiago is represented as the butterfly â€Å"whose sentence had already been written†. Even though there is no evidence Santiago took Angela’s virginity, it is the twin’s duty to protect their sister. Therefore, Pedro and Pablo Vicario set out to kill the man who had stolen their sister’s virginity, Santiago Nasar, in order to protect their family. The twins tell everyone in town about their plan to murder Santiago, but the people in the community doubt their intentions: â€Å"twenty-two people declared they had heard everything said, and they all coincided in the impression that the only reason the brothers had said it was so that someone would come over to hear them†(51). The people in the town who â€Å"[coincide] in the impression that the only reason the brothers had said it was so that someone would come over to hear them† shows how oblivious the townspeople act owards a societal member’s life. Society looks past at the fact that a murder is about to occur, but focuses on the purpose; family honor, which is highly respected. Since it is unacceptable for a female to have sex before marriage, Santiago is viewed in a negative light by society because he is accused of taking the virginity of an unmarried woman. The debate surrounding Santiago’s death highlights the conflict between society and the protagonist, where Santiago is a man who is accused of committing an act that society does not accept. Albert Camus, in The Stranger, constructs the protagonist, Monsieur Meursault, as a man who has absurdist morals and values, which society does not accept. Meursault has an intimate relationship with Marie Cardona, a former typist, but the connection does not go beyond a physical attraction; â€Å"she wanted to know if I loved her. I answered the same way I had the last time, that it didn’t mean anything but that I probably didn’t love her† (41). By Meursault stating â€Å"it didn’t mean anything† and â€Å"I probably didn’t love her† highlights his absurdist views on life; he believes life contains no purpose, thus he cannot love Marie because loving Marie would give life a purpose, which Meursault does not believe. He simply associates with Marie, because he likes being around her. There is no need for an emotional connection because the physical appearance of her is satisfying enough. Absurdism is not accepted in society therefore it does not accept Meursault. He is an outsider in a world he did not choose. Meursault is a man who does not show his emotions very well, but instead focuses on his physical need; â€Å"I explained to him, however, that my nature was such that my physical needs often got in the way of my feelings† (65). Meursault saying â€Å"that my physical needs often got in the way of my feelings† emphasizes the simplistic life he live—a life without meaning. Showing emotions would signify a life with purpose, which Meursault does not believe. The Algerian society, in which the novella takes place, does not accept the type of lifestyle Meursault lives and believes every life should be lived with a purpose. Society’s expectations clash with Meursault’s values because his beliefs and outlooks on life are not accepted by society, which sets up the external conflict between the two. In the external conflict between society and the protagonist, Garcia Marquez emphasizes the negative effects society has on a person who goes against the social norm by showing the biased opinions towards the Pedro and Pablo Vicario regarding Santiago’s murder. After brutally stabbing Santiago to death, the Vicario twins sprint to the church to inform the priest of their barbaric act; â€Å"Both were exhausted from the barbarous work of death, and their clothes and arms were soaked and their faces smeared with sweat and still living blood but the priest recalled the surrender as an act of great dignity†(49). The priest calling the murder â€Å"an act of great dignity† shows how, in the Latin American society, family honor is highly valued, no matter how far it is taken. Even though the twins have committed the worst crime imaginable, it is acceptable because it was done in order to protect their family. Pedro and Pablo Vicario are viewed as meeting expectations, as opposed to Santiago, who fails to follow them. When the crime was brought to court, the twins had already won before it even started; â€Å"The lawyer stood by the thesis of the homicide in legitimate defense of honor, which was upheld by the court in good faith, and the twins declared at the end of the trial that they would have done it again a thousand times over for the same reason† (48). The lawyer stating the homicide as a â€Å"legitimate defense of honor† verifies that society values family honor over a man’s life. The court case represents the conflict of society against Santiago and since he goes against society’s values, Santiago ends up dying, indicating society’s victory. The twins do not receive any severe punishment, because of their intentions to protect their family. Through Santiago’s death, Garcia Marquez stresses the harmful effects society can have on someone whose beliefs differ from societal standards. Camus constructs Meursault’s trial to critique society’s lack of acceptance towards the people who do not meet expectations. Throughout the court case, Meursault is quickly judged by the prosecutor due to his actions concerning his mother’s death, â€Å"He said the truth was that I didn’t have a soul and that nothing human, not one of my moral principles that governs men’s hearts, was within my reach† (101). The prosecutor bluntly stating that Meursault â€Å"didn’t have a soul† and is incapable of having â€Å"moral principles that governs men’s hearts† highlights how society does not understand Meursault’s morals and values, thus critiques his character and neglects him. Meursault is looked down upon because of how he acted on the day of Maman’s funeral. He does not express feelings towards his mother’s death because he is an absurdist and believes death is inevitable. Society believes that there is purpose to every societal member’s life, and since Meursault shares absurdist views, he is not accepted by society. To close his final argument against Meursault, the prosecutor states, â€Å" ‘I ask you for this man’s head†¦never as strongly as today have I felt this painful duty made easier, light, clearer by the certain knowledge of a sacred imperative and by the horror I feel when I look into a man’s face and all I see is a monster. † (102). The whole trial is based around Meursault’s character, and him being called â€Å"a monster† stresses the fact that society is unwilling to accept anyone who does not follow the expectations. Meursault does not share the same views that society wants, and as a result, he is rejected because of his moral values. By asking â€Å"for this m an’s head† the prosecutor shows how society neglects the people who share different views and therefore want them out of society completely. Camus uses the trial and Meursault’s crime to emphasize the external conflict of society versus the protagonist, Meursault, to demonstrate how society does not accept people who share different moral values. The negative effects society has on the people who do not meet expectations are emphasized through the external conflict, based of moral values, between the protagonist and society in the Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and The Stranger by Albert Camus. Both novellas show the harmful consequence faced by the protagonist, who do not conform to societal expectations, which evidently resulted in death.

A study of the famous Bob Dylan song “Mr.Tamborine Man” Essay

Why Mr. Tambourine Man is A Modern Classic The most obvious and popular interpretation of Bob Dylan’sMr. Tambourine Man is that the song is about drugs. This makes sense, as it was against the law to write songs about drugs in the 1960s when ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ was composed. The metaphors are simple: ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ is the drug-dealer. â€Å"Take me on a trip upon your magic swirling ship†¦Ã¢â‚¬  is asking the drug-dealer for the drugs, and then the lyrics go on to describe the physical effects on the body after consuming hallucinogens: â€Å"My senses have been stripped My hands can’t feel to grip My toes too numb to step. . .† Another obvious reference to drug-taking comes from the fourth verse, â€Å"Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The smoke rings relating literally to drugs being smoked, and the last line of the last verse, also if taken literally, relates to escaping from the realities of life by using drugs: â€Å"Let me forget about today until tomorrow†. However, this interpretation does not explain some of the vivid imagery used throughout the song where it is not easy to draw parallels between drugs and the image, for example, â€Å"The haunted frightened trees†. This phrase could be written about the emotional state of the drug user, and by embuing those emotions onto something else the surreal atmosphere already invoked in the earlier passages is heightened. In the second and third verses there are several lines expressing suprise at feeling fatigued: â€Å"My weariness amazes me† and how the body is also tired: â€Å"my toes too numb t o step.† Bob Dylan said himself â€Å"Drugs never played a part in that song†¦ ‘†¦disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind†¦.’, that’s not drugs, drugs were never a big thing with me.† This leads me to believe that the song is indeed about something other than drugs. Some analysts have written about the song as an expression of freedom. One clear example of a phrase  that expresses a sense of freedom is, â€Å"To dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free/ Silhouetted by the sea†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This image strongly evokes the idea of someone living freely, both literally, dancing a beach, and the connotations that the sea and the sky provide here, of openess and liberty. There are several references to ‘escaping’, for example, â€Å"I’m ready to go anywhere†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , â€Å"†¦but for the sky there are no fences facing† which means that the sky is the limit, â€Å"†¦just escaping on the run† and again â€Å"Let me forget about today until tomorrow.† These lines fit with the freedom theme: escaping to achieve freedom. But forgetting about today until tomorrow seems only a temporary escape, bringing the back the idea about drugs. It has also been suggested that Mr. Tambourine Man is a poem about transcendence, or reaching enlightenment. Some people see Bob Dylan himself as Mr. Tambourine Man, and he does â€Å"Cast [his] dancing spell† through the magical and fantastic imagery of swirling ships and trips into one’s own mind. I believe that the song could be about all of these ideas, and the importance of one in particular relating only to the mood of the listener. This is an important reason for stating that Mr. Tambourine Man is a classic: The lyrics provide the possibility to understand the song in different contexts by different listeners. The ideas differ between people, some finding freedom in Dylan’s song, some feeling like they are under a spell when listening to the light repetitive tune and figurative language. The cleverness of the language is that people can read almost anything into it, the most basic example being Mr. Tambourine Man, who can be seen as anything from a drug-dealer to a religious man to Bob Dylan himself. Another reason that the song has such a hallucinogenic feeling is the structure of the song. The verses are made up of what appears to be many individual concepts put together, like a dream, giving a surreal effect. The reference to Ozymandius and crumbling empires furthers the dream-like quality of the words.