Violence in the Nursing Profession Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Violence in the Nursing Profession - Essay Example It has been noted that nurses are easily exposed to violence in certain scenarios in the course of dispensing their duties, thereby increasing their vulnerability (Carter, 2000). The healthcare sector is faced with many challenges including limited budgets, low work motivation, low pay and understaffing. These challenges on their own create tension in the work environment and in most cases; nurses bear the brute of the frustration. Violence is in many forms including physical, psychological, sexual harassment, isolation and intimidation. The patriarchal medical model has contributed a great deal to this vice as nurses are seen as doctor’s handmaidens (O’Connell et al 2000).In this sense, doctors may form a condescending and intimidating attitude toward nurses whereby they feel their qualification and status is superior to those of nurses. Nurses also face violence from hospital visitors and patients, some of who express their grief, frustrations and misgivings to the nurses, who tend to be more available than doctors. Horizontal violence is also rampant, where nurses themselves administer violence on each. Studies show that nursing students during their clinical assignment in their courses are the most vulnerable to violence (Randle 2003). CASE STUDY 1 SUMMARY The first case study will look into the article dubbed â€Å"Aggression in the Workplace: A study of Horizontal Violence Utilizing Heideggerian Hermeneutic Phenomenology.† The article sought to ascertain the existence and rampant widespread of horizontal violence amongst nurses in healthcare institutions. One or more group members towards another member or section of the larger group (Duffy 1995) define horizontal violence as hostile or aggressive behavior. Studies show that the prevalence is high but majority of the cases go unreported due to fear of stigmatization and/or retribution (Farrel 1997).This case study also seeks to identify the impact of horizontal violence on the victims’ work performance and relationships with others. Study Design The Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology was the chosen method of research in this article. This qualitative approach by Heidegger, a German philosopher, proposes that all knowledge comes from people in t he world and the attempt to understand other people in the world. It thus means that we are always within the hermeneutic circle of Interpretation (Leonard 1989).With this design the researcher has a preliminary understanding of horizontal violence (Leonard 1989) and will be able to add personal experience and understanding to the research (Walter 1995). Sampling Strategies and Data collection In compiling information for this article, the use of questionnaires was employed. The sample size comprised of two registered nurses who had consensual agreed to take part in the study based on their expertise in the field (Field and Morse; 1985). The sample size was relatively small but since it was a qualitative analysis, sample size depended on the accuracy of the information given by the respondents and their abilities to do so. Data collection was done using recorded audio tapes. This method was the

Strategic Review of Kepak Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategic Review of Kepak - Essay Example To analyze the current strategies followed by the firm internal business analysis has been done by using TOWS Matrix which analysis the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the organization to produce accurate and strategic solutions and approaches for a better business outcome. Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Industry Analysis 4 PESTLE Analysis 4 Porter’s Five Forces 5 Success Factors Driving Beef Industry 6 Company Analysis 7 Competitive Stance 7 Differentiation 7 Positioning 7 Value Chain Analysis 7 Strategic resources 8 Critical strategy 9 Introduction Kepak is one of the three largest beef producers in Ireland. Noel Keating founded the company in mid 1960s and is headquartered at Meath, Ireland. The Business divisions are Kepak Convenience Foods (KCF), Kepak Meat Division (KMD), and Agra Trading. Started as a retail butcher’s business, it soon expanded as a wholesale supplier selling beef to the food service sector and other lar ger markets (Bell, Mcloughlin and Shelman, 2011). The company is facing some challenges as well as some significant opportunities due to the changing business and economic environment in Ireland. Industry Analysis A business environment consists of three major components (American Accounting Association, 2013). These are suppliers, competitors and customers. Kepak’s external business can be assessed by using pestle analysis and porters five forces model. PESTLE Analysis Economic The current gross domestic product (GDP) of Ireland is $191.5 billion and the purchasing power parity is $41,700 (CIA, 2013). The agri-food sector is considered as one of the major indigenous manufacturing sector in Ireland (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, n.d.). Around 85% of the food supplies are exported to a large number of countries. Ireland is considered as Europe’s largest net exporter of beef and is well known for producing highest quality beef (Ukfg, n.d.). Almost 1 lak h Irish farmers are involved in cattle rearing and out of these almost 70000 are categorized as specialist beef producers (Bell, Mcloughlin and Shelman, 2011). In the wake of the current economic crisis, the Irish government has identified food and agriculture business as the major sector which will significantly increase the country’s growth in exports and imports. Social 62% of the total population in Ireland lives in urban areas getting access to the most of the daily requirements. The average age of farmers kept on increasing. In 2007, 51% of the family farm holders were above 55 years old and only 7 percent were under 35 years of age (Bell, Mcloughlin and Shelman, 2011). This was because of a significant change in the occupational trends of people, who gradually shifted from agribusiness to other alternatives for a more stable and secure life. Beef consumption in the European market has fallen since 2007 (Bordbia, n.d.).Various reasons accounted for this. Because of the economic crisis the consumers started cutting back their beef purchases and changed to lesser expensive alternatives such as protein supplements and dairy products. Environmental High waste-water discharges, air emissions associated with energy consumption, solid waste and order and a moderate to high