The History of Gravity and Aristotle

One of the most pervasive behaviors that we experience, its no wonder that even the earliest scientists tried to understand why objects fall toward the ground. The Greek philosopher Aristotle gave one of the earliest and most comprehensive attempts at a scientific explanation of this behavior by putting forth the idea that objects moved toward their natural place. This natural place for the element of Earth was in the center of the Earth (which was, of course, the center of the universe in Aristotles geocentric model of the universe). Surrounding the Earth was a concentric sphere that was the natural realm of water, surrounded by the natural realm of air, and then the natural realm of fire above that. Thus, Earth sinks in water, water sinks in the air, and flames rise above air. Everything gravitates toward its natural place in Aristotles model, and it comes across as fairly consistent with our intuitive understanding and basic observations about how the world works. Aristotle further believed that objects fall at a speed that is proportional to their weight. In other words, if you took a wooden object and a metal object of the same size and dropped them both, the heavier metal object would fall at a proportionally faster speed. Galileo and Motion Aristotles philosophy about motion toward a substances natural place held sway for about 2,000 years, until the time of Galileo Galilei. Galileo conducted experiments rolling objects of different weights down inclined planes (not dropping them off the Tower of Pisa, despite the popular apocryphal stories to this effect), and found that they fell with the same acceleration rate regardless of their weight. In addition to the empirical evidence, Galileo also constructed a theoretical thought experiment to support this conclusion. Here is how the modern philosopher describes Galileos approach in his 2013 book Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking: Some thought experiments are analyzable as rigorous arguments, often of the form reductio ad absurdum, in which one takes ones opponents premises and derives a formal contradiction (an absurd result), showing that they cant all be right. One of my favorites is the proof attributed to Galileo that heavy things dont fall faster than lighter things (when friction is negligible). If they did, he argued, then since heavy stone A would fall faster than light stone B, if we tied B to A, stone B would act as a drag, slowing A down. But A tied to B is heavier than A alone, so the two together should also fall faster than A by itself. We have concluded that tying B to A would make something that fell both faster and slower than A by itself, which is a contradiction. Newton Introduces Gravity The major contribution developed by Sir Isaac Newton was to recognize that this falling motion observed on Earth was the same behavior of motion that the Moon and other objects experience, which holds them in place within relation to each other. (This insight from Newton was built upon the work of Galileo, but also by embracing the heliocentric model and Copernican principle, which had been developed by Nicholas Copernicus prior to Galileos work.) Newtons development of the law of universal gravitation, more often called the law of gravity, brought these two concepts together in the form of a mathematical formula that seemed to apply to determine the force of attraction between any two objects with mass. Together with Newtons laws of motion, it created a formal system of gravity and motion that would guide scientific understanding unchallenged for over two centuries. Einstein Redefines Gravity The next major step in our understanding of gravity comes from Albert Einstein, in the form of his general theory of relativity, which describes the relationship between matter and motion through the basic explanation that objects with mass actually bend the very fabric of space and time (collectively called spacetime). This changes the path of objects in a way that is in accord with our understanding of gravity. Therefore, the current understanding of gravity is that it is a result of objects following the shortest path through spacetime, modified by the warping of nearby massive objects. In the majority of cases that we run into, this is in complete agreement with Newtons classical law of gravity. There are some cases which require the more refined understanding of general relativity to fit the data to the required level of precision. The Search for Quantum Gravity However, there are some cases where not even general relativity can quite give us meaningful results. Specifically, there are cases where general relativity is incompatible with the understanding of quantum physics. One of the best known of these examples is along the boundary of a black hole, where the smooth fabric of spacetime is incompatible with the granularity of energy required by quantum physics. This was theoretically resolved by the physicist Stephen Hawking, in an explanation that predicted black holes radiate energy in the form of Hawking radiation. What is needed, however, is a comprehensive theory of gravity that can fully incorporate quantum physics. Such a theory of quantum gravity would be needed in order to resolve these questions. Physicists have many candidates for such a theory, the most popular of which is string theory, but none which yield sufficient experimental evidence (or even sufficient experimental predictions) to be verified and broadly accepted as a correct description of physical reality. Gravity-Related Mysteries In addition to the need for a quantum theory of gravity, there are two experimentally-driven mysteries related to gravity that still need to be resolved. Scientists have found that for our current understanding of gravity to apply to the universe, there must be an unseen attractive force (called dark matter) that helps hold galaxies together and an unseen repulsive force (called dark energy) that pushes distant galaxies apart at faster rates.

Medical Marijuana Should Be Legal - 1777 Words

Medical marijuana brings many benefits to the medical community and should be legalized. Medical marijuana also known as medical cannabis, brings relief too many people with multiple different types of diseases. One major benefit of marijuana being such a good relief medicine is that it is not addictive. Medical marijuana would also be very easy to regulate and bring many economic benefits to our country. Medical marijuana also known as medical cannabis brings relief too many people with many different types of diseases. There are many different diseases that medical marijuana can help patients with these diseases get relief but the ones explained here are some of the more serious ones. Doctors say medical marijuana needs to be legalized to bring the relief patients need, 69 percent say it can help with certain treatment and conditions. 67 percent say it should be a medical option for patients. 56 percent support making it legal nationwide. 50 percent of doctor’s in states where it is not legal say it should be legal in their state. 52 percent of doctors in states consider new laws say it should be legal in their states. (Rappold 2) American Glaucoma Society states the definition of Glaucoma, â€Å"Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve that can result in vision loss and blindness† (Jampel). Glaucoma being a disease that could cause eye loss it is a disease that cannot be taken lightly and people want to find a treatment to help their case as soon as possible. With medicalShow MoreRelatedMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal904 Words   |  4 PagesMedical Marijuana Although marijuana is illegal and lacks FDA approval it should be used to treat cancer. Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use, lacks FDA approval, and that various legal drugs make marijuana use unnecessary. They believe marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, and injures the lungs, immune system, and brain. They also believe that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational use. Benefit that it is isn’t a great treatmentRead MoreShould Medical Marijuana Be Legal?1249 Words   |  5 PagesMarch 1, 2017 Medical Marijuana Informative Unless you ve been living under a rock, you have probably at some point in the last few years had a conversation with a friend or family member regarding medical marijuana. Although it is considered a controversial topic, in recent months it has been gaining approval by the public. But it does not come without opposition and arguments. Medical marijuana is a complex subject and still requires more education for the public, the medical community, and theRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1651 Words   |  7 Pagesmost commonly referred to as marijuana. Medical marijuana refers to the use of cannabis and its cannabinoids to treat disease or improve symptoms (Wikipedia.com). Cannabis contains two active ingredients inside called cannabinoids (CBD) along with the delta-g-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The medicinal and psychoactive effects that personally associate with marijuana are caused by unique structures of cannabinoids. In addition, the major psychoactive ingredient in marij uana is THC, which additionallyRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1477 Words   |  6 Pagesacross the nation believe that medical marijuana can provide a variety of benefits ranging from pain relief to increasing appetite. Others won’t provide the drug to patients until more significant evidence is presented. The drug has been a topic of debate for many years, but one thing that researchers can always count on is a growing library of testimonials from patients who have legally experimented with the drug to manage their conditions. As it stands, marijuana has had a different impact in eachRead MoreShould Medical Marijuana Be Legal?1778 Words   |  8 Pagesusing medical marijuana for chronic pain outweigh the risks? Medical Marijuana is a topic we have all heard a couple of times in the past years. It has been a debatable topic since there seems to be a lot of opinions on what should be and shouldn’t be legal. Some say its benefits outweigh anything else, and some others state that there is a hazard involved with this drug. There are studies on both sides of the question that demonstrate what appear to be clear benefits for medical marijuana, asRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1545 Words   |  7 Pagesmedicinal utility of marijuana. However, the federal government opposes passing legislation that would legalize medical marijuana because of its potential to be abused or unregulated. The states are continuously challenging the federal government causing complications in legislation in regards to medical marijuana. Because of its history of medicinal properties and accumulating amounts of state and local legislation, the federal government should decriminalize medical marijuana an d legalize its useRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1053 Words   |  5 PagesMedical marijuana, also called cannabis, is used in some places as a medication to treat diseases and symptoms. Many people consider it helpful and harmless making it the most used illicit drug in North America. With legalizing medical marijuana people can alleviate some health problems and help ease physical pain, but it also can bring many concerns, questions, and responsibility. Legalizing cannabis can help many people with their health conditions. There are some advantages to taking medicalRead MoreShould Medical Marijuana Be Legal?1591 Words   |  7 Pagesdebated topic on marijuana legalization is widely argued. Whether it’s for medical or recreational usages, this topic is reaching boiling point. The complicity on the legalities of marijuana has reached a point in society where legal usage has been popping up across the country. In the medical sector, studies have shown benefits, and harmful effects in patients. Some physicians support, however some physicians do see health concerns that influence their stance on whether medical marijuana laws are toRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal897 Words   |  4 PagesMedical Cannabis Weed Cannabis, also known as Marijuana has many effects to it. In recent years officials have decided that it should be used for medical usage. They have found out that it helps many medical conditions. Medical cannabis has many things that could cure. Studies has shown that it slows the response time in the synapses in the brain it helps the brain heal. For example if someone was in a bad wreck it allows the brain to eventually heal. Because it is unlike other prescribed drugs weedRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal860 Words   |  4 Pagesthat medical marijuana might be useful in reducing this pressure. Marijuana has also became a common sight in the medicine cabinets of patients suffering from HIV/AIDS and many different forms of cancer. Cannabis consumptions has been known for its ability to stimulate appetite commonly referred to as â€Å"getting the munchies.† Medical marijuana can successfully benefit its patients with HIV or cancer by helping generate an appetite through the use of plant. Researchers have shown that medical cannabis

Becoming A Licensed Funeral Director free essay sample

Becoming A Licensed Funeral Director Embalmer Letonio B. Johnson December 10, 2012 Strategies for Success in College, Career, and Life! (SLS 1103) Many people cringe at the thought of being in the presence of death. A subject no one wishes to discuss too often. But the fact is that death is a part of life. It’s appointed for every person to die. No one knows when there time will be. I must admit imaging death can be very scary rather it’s the death of a loved one, a friend, or even yourself. Some people would rather not hear, speck, or talk about death until the services are needed. That’s why I feel that funeral directors are very special people. They serve families at their most difficult times. Funeral director are generally very professional, honest, and trustworthy. As a young child I was always fond of the funeral industry. People often asked if it was creepy growing up in a family of funeral directors. We will write a custom essay sample on Becoming A Licensed Funeral Director or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page My friends and cousins would often ask if we could sneak into the funeral home to see the caskets. At times we did and got into lots of trouble behind it. Now when I tell people I’m in school to become a funeral director the next question is always.. â€Å"Isn’t that depressing?† I always answer with a strong â€Å"No.† We press to focus on being a service to families in their hardest times. Experiencing the life of a funeral director through my family seemed very hectic. Some weeks were very busy. I’ve seen them on phone call after phone call. In and out the funeral home, and even getting up in the middle of the night to pick up new cases. I can also remember the last three months of the year, and the first two months of the years always being very very busy. It never failed. Becoming a funeral director varies from state to state. Each state

Treating Anaphylaxis Essay Example For Students

Treating Anaphylaxis Essay TREATING ANAPHYLAXISIn the emergency setting, anaphylaxis is a dangerous, life threatening condition that must be treated in an aggressive and timely fashion. Anaphylaxis is a condition related to acute allergic reactions. Following the bodys exposure to the offending allergen, there are common systemic reactions. The most serious reactions involve the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, but the gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and genitourinary systems are often involved causing varied symptoms such as urticaria, flushing, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, cardiac arrythmias, nausea, intestinal cramps, pruritus, and finally uterine cramps. (Physician Assistant, 8/94) The above list is by no means exhaustive, specific symptoms vary from person to person. The same person suffering from several anaphylactic reactions can also present with differing symptoms. Physiologically speaking, the two main effects of the bodys released mediators (IgE) during an anaphylactic reaction are smooth muscle contraction and vasodilatation, which cause most of the bodys adverse symptoms. (JAMA, 11/26/82) Since the most life threatening reactions usually involve the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, that is where emergency treatment is focused. In the cardiovascular system, a combination of vasodilatation, increased vascular permeability, tachcycardia, and arrhythmias can lead to severe hypotension. In the respiratory system, the swelling of tissues along with bronchospasm and increased mucus production are the main cause of death. So, if untreated, anaphylaxis can be fatal as a result of the bodys going into what is essentially shock, while simultaneously (and more importantly) being deprived of the oxygen needed to sustain life. As of today there is one universally accepted treatment for acute anaphylaxis. Epinephrine. Epinephrine is both an alpha and a beta agonist. This makes it the drug optimally suited to treat anaphylaxis. Epinephrine will increase vascular resi stance, reduce vascular permeability, produce bronchodilation and increase cardiac output. (Emergency, 10/93) Epinephrine will directly counteract the potentially life threatening aspects of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine can , and is, used in the both the pre-hospital environment as well as in definitive care institutions. Epinephrine is widely administered by ALS providers the world over. The drug is so effective that and relatively simple to use that ?subcutaneous administration of epinephrine by EMT-Bs trained in recognition ? of anaphylaxis? is safe. (Annals of Emergency Medicine, 6/95) Following the administration of epinephrine, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, and promethazine can be administered. These agents block the harmful effects of histamine, a mediator associated with allergic reactions, and while not displacing histamine from receptors, they compete with histamine for receptor cites and therefore block additional histamine from binding. (JEMS, 4/95)Pat ients taking beta adrenergic blocking agents will have limited benefits from the administration of epinephrine (it being a beta agent), as well potentially unopposed alpha adrenergic effects that could result in severe hypertension. (Physician Assistant, 8/94) In such cases norepinepherine and dopamine may be necessary to treat systemic anaphylaxis. Glucagon which increases cAMP, is a bronchodilator, and stimulates cardiac output, can be very useful, even in the presence of beta blockers. (Physician Assistant, 8/94) Inhaled bronchodilators are useful for the treatment of respiratory complications associated with anaphylaxis. There is a wide variety of acceptable agents. Sympathomimetics such as albuterol, and metaproterenol will relax the smooth muscle in the respiratory tract. Anticholinergic agents such as ipratropium bromide can also decrease bronchospasm. Aminophylline, a bronchodilator and diuretic can also increase intracellular cAMP levels, as well as potentiating catecholami nes and stimulating their release; these effects make it a useful tool in dealing with persistent bronchospasm. (Physician Assistant, 8/94)Even though steroids (glucocorticosteroids) have some potentially beneficial effects for the relief of bronchospasm and hypotension, they are not recommended for the treatment of acute anaphylactic symptoms due to the fact that it takes four to six hours for them to be effective. (JAMA, 11/26/82) But, steroids such as methylprednisolone and hydrocortisone, are useful in shortening the duration of, and reducing the severity of prolonged anaphylactic reactions, as well as preventing the recurrence of delayed symptoms. (Physician Assistant, 8/94) The above agents are all widely used to treat anaphylaxis. But there are studies and experiments underway that are looking at alternative, or additional treatments. Naloxone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) are both being looked at in the possible treatment of anaphylaxis as well as traumatic shock. Naloxone improves cardiovascular function in a variety of animal models of shock caused by?and anaphylaxis. Administration of TRH ?also has pressor effects in these shock models. (Annals of Emergency Medicine, 8/85) TRH has been shown to increase mean arterial pressure during anaphylactic shock. (Annals of Emergency Medicine, 5/89) In animal studies of anaphylaxis the use of TRH, epinephrine, and normal saline were compared. TRH treated rabbits responded slightly better than those treated with epinephrine (the study focused on cardiovascular and respiratory parameters.) (Annals of Emergency Medicine, 5/89)I started this project with the aim of identifying alternative treatments for anaphylaxis. I had mistakenly assumed that there are a host of viable and effective treatment regiments for anaphylactic shock. What I discovered was that as of today, the only universally accepted therapy for acute anaphylaxis is? epinephrine. Due to its alpha and beta adrinergic effects epinephrine is m iraculously suited for anaphylaxis. It almost seems to be a natural antidote, a wonder drug with singular abilities in the treatment of anaphylaxis. .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf , .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .postImageUrl , .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf , .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf:hover , .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf:visited , .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf:active { border:0!important; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf:active , .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u6f80dfc09107dfeeccf2b70e0dec86bf:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Deforestation Essay We will write a custom essay on Treating Anaphylaxis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now

Compare And Contrast Two 1900 War Poems Essays

Compare And Contrast Two 1900 War Poems Essays Compare And Contrast Two 1900 War Poems Paper Compare And Contrast Two 1900 War Poems Paper Essay Topic: Poetry People write poetry for many reasons. War poetry is written mainly to express feelings. War poems can achieve catharsis and are sometimes written in remembrance. They express deep emotional states such as love, hate, suffering and joy. War can amplify all of these feelings so it is likely that poetry would be written about it. The Charge Of The Light Brigade was written by Alfred Tennyson as a memorial for the brave heroes which died during the battle against the Russians. It is a pro-war poem: Honour the Light Brigade The Battle Of Blenheim is an anti-war poem. The view the poet wants to get across is spoken through the children, Peterkin and Wilhelmine. Why twas a very wicked thing! I think the author made a mistake in choosing the children because children are not respected enough to speak an unpopular view and be taken seriously. If he had chosen a character of higher status then the public would have paid more attention to his opinions. Tennysons poem is very straight forward, using limited vocabulary. Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them, Cannon in front of them This makes it attractive to the people of the time, most of which would have been poorly educated. It would appeal to more people than Robert Southeys poem. This is because Southeys poem in my opinion, is too well written. It is too clever for the audience to which it is directed at. Southeys poem is much more complex. It uses irony where Old Kasper refers constantly to the great victory when the view the poet is giving is that it was far from great. At first glance it seems a simple poem but after analysis the true meaning of the authors writing comes to light. Certain metaphors projected through grotesque images show the disturbing understated themes of this piece. There is juxtaposition of the incongruous imagery concerning the innocence of the pastoral setting and the grim skull and plough. He came to ask what he had found, That was so large and smooth and round. The above rhyming couplet on its own seems harmless until you realise what Peterkin has found is a skull! The skull is the personification of death. It symbolises the past while the children are visions of the future. The children; the future, are literally digging up the past. Skulls are obvious representations of death while the youthful children holding it shows juxtaposed incongruous images. Children are related to life innocence and goodness. The buried skull is showing the reality of the past has become buried and the lies are unearthed by the goodness of the future. Kasper is intended to be the stereotypical view of adults. He sounds as if he was programmed with what little information he has on the battle. He was unquestioning and when he tries to programme his grandchildren in the same way he dismisses their inquisitive minds in a way which seems patronising even to those so young. The words great victory have become his mantra and it seems this is all he knows about the battle. I find it sad Kasper found no need to form his own opinion of the battle. He is full of so much blind faith which he has learned seemingly by rote from unreliable sources. And often when I go to plough, The ploughshare turns them out! I imagine Old Kasper saying this in such a casual way that you would never dream he was talking about ploughing skulls! The image is highly ironic as ploughing is a way of rebirth and new life while in the piece of poetry they are harvesting death and bodies. The author expresses his view through the children, as mentioned before. The questions the children are made to ask are themed with confusion and perplexity as to why all the terrible happenings associated with the great victory had to occur. A hint to the authors perceptions of the war are shown in the fifth stanza. Wilhelmine asks: Now tell us all about the war, And what they fought each other for. I believe asking why the two sides fought each other is quite a sophisticated question to ask and this is what makes me assume it is the poets own questions showing through. The Charge Of The Light Brigade is written to make the best of a bad situation. It boosts morale by portraying the six hundred as gallant and heroic. Boldly they rode, and well The tragic truth of the matter had been glorified to try and disguise it and make it easier for the public to come to terms with. That is what the poetry was written for, to influence the opinion of the general public. Alfred Tennyson is said to have written this poem quickly in response to a report he read. Certain factors make it obvious to me it was written in short time. When comparing it to The Battle Of Blenheim you can see whilst they both use writing techniques they are very different. Tennysons simple, accessible vocabulary; alliteration; repetition and use of rhetorical questioning gives his poem a punchy feel and an edge over Southeys unspecific; complex; well concealed; slow moving piece of poetry. In The Battle Of Blenheim Peterkin and Wilhelmine question Kasper about the great victory. The questions all remain unanswered by the end of the poem. They are left unanswered because Old Kasper does not know the answers. It is aimed to make you ask the same questions yourself. In The Charge Of The Light Brigade the questions use rhetoric. When can their glory fade? It is intended to include the reader. It makes the positive stand out. You are not supposed to think about the answer to the question. Yours should be the same as the authors. Tennysons poem is full of kinetic energy. As it is set in a battlefield it is very active. In comparison, Southeys poem is absolutely static. The tale does not leave the cottage door and field. The Charge Of The Light Brigade is more action packed. To close I would like to summarise that Tennysons poem was written to boost the morale of the country. For that reason it is an unreliable narrative. It was not written from the heart as he was telling people what they wanted to hear. Southeys poem is more true to his own feelings. I respect this poem more as it was not a popular view of war at the time but he stood up for what he believed in which was peace. Southeys undervalued, slight way of projecting his viewpoint may not have earned him as much money as Tennysons exaggerated style but it was genuine which has earned him the respect he deserves from some if not many.

Shortage of Nurses in the United States Research Paper

Shortage of Nurses in the United States - Research Paper Example Shortage of Nurses in the United States It is evident that the U.S. faces and is still facing a looming shortage of registered nurses within its healthcare centers. However, more effort needs to be established, especially by the government to ensure this problem ceases. Inside medical facilities such as nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and schools among others, they play vital roles that ensures smooth daily running of such facilities. Failure to provide their services would lead to unimaginable adversity. For any medical facility to prevail, therefore, it is necessary that there be nurses, more than enough to carry out efficiently the duties delegated upon them. Despite the importance of nurses in medical facilities, the U.S healthcare facilities are facing a scarcity of nurses. The shortage level is on the rise annually and both long term and short-term solutions need to be addressed. This paper seeks to explore the existing shortage of nurses in the U.S. It analyses causes of such effects, then concludes by givi ng a summary of the research and the recommendations that might help solve the problem. Background In the 19th century when nursing was in its early stages in the US, icons like Florence Nightingale facilitated the nursing movement to help alleviate the serious deficiency of nurses that threatened healthcare staff and patients. The deficiency is still present to date, as can be witnessed in the past ten years where several U.S. healthcare facilities are facing acute shortage of nurses, a clear indication that the output of nurses is not meeting demand from the growing population. The shortage situation Although healthcare facilities in the U.S. are facing a deficiency of nurses, a situation that can compromise the quality of services offered in these facilities, many students are being denied admission into nursing schools. The resultant deficit has attracted the White House and political elite’s attention as the need to import foreign staff intensifies. Lois Capps, a Democra t U.S. Representative and a former nurse was quoted saying, â€Å"Nurses deliver healthcare† and that there cannot be meaningful healthcare with the deficit of nurses. The American Association of College of Nursing issued a report that 116,000 positions of registered nurses in U.S. healthcare facilities are vacant while 100,000 jobs remain unoccupied in nursing homes. The deficiency is anticipated to deteriorate, as the numbers of the elderly is on the rise hence need for more nurses. According to Robert Wood, a staff at the Association, "The nursing shortage is not driven by a lack of interest in nursing careers. In 2008, over 50,000 competent applicants were denied admission into nursing programs, including 6000 who applied for postgraduate of doctorate levels (Dunham, 2009, p.3). In ‘The Future of Nursing’ released in 2010, the Institute of Medicine called for an increment of baccalaureate-prepared nurses and nurses with doctorate degrees as the current levels of this staff stands at 50% instead of over 80%. The Health Resources and Services Administration in April 2006 projected that the deficiency of nurses nationwide would increase by 2020 to over a million nurses. In the report, ‘What is Behind HRSA’s Projected Supply, Demand and Shortage of Registered Nurses?’ all states in the U.S. will witness the deficiency. Currently, over 30 states are facing a shortage, as there are no nurses to fill in the positions. In a statement published by Journal of the American Medical Association in November 26, 2008, Dr. Peter Buerhaus, a professor of nursing was quoted saying

Iatrogenics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Iatrogenics - Research Paper Example The term Iatrogenic is defined as â€Å"induced in patient by physician’s actions, manner and therapy†. This term is specifically used to describe complications or adverse effects medical advice or treatment. Similarly, a pathological variation leading to detrimental consequences in a patient’s health caused by inappropriate practice of health care professionals is regarded as iatrogenic condition. According to WHO, iatrogenic disease may be defined as adverse drug reactions or complications induced by non drug medical interventions. Darchy et al., (1998) defined it, as a disease stimulated by drug prescribed by the doctor after a medical or surgical procedure. Health care associated or hospital acquired infections are a global problem. Iatrogenic frequently leads to severe complications and may require increased use of health care resources and medication, laboratory testing and prolonged duration of hospitalization. Health care personnel targets disease or risk factors for a future ailments by examining, diagnosing and prescribing a procedure for therapy. Most often, the objective of the caregiver is to prevent an ailment however, most of the effective therapies have side effects. Therefore, a dispute remains whether the benefits outweigh the harm. Initially, the focal point of iatrogenic infections is actions or inactions in terms of services of health care professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, therapists, nurses, psychologist etc. Also, the service environment of a hospital may be basis of iatrogenic (White, MA and Kleber, 2008). The estimated deaths caused by iatrogenic illness are 250,000 that make it third largest causes of deaths in U.S. (White, MA and Kleber, 2008). It costs about 6 billion pounds each year in United Kingdom for compensation (one tenth of NHS budget). History: Word iatrogenic is derived from â€Å"Iatros† a Greek word meaning brought forth by healer. Iatrogenic history can be traced back to 1800 s, when prior to implementation of aseptic techniques (hand washing and use of sterile gloves) thousands of women died due to puerperal fever; an infectious disease that was transferred between patients following delivery. Likewise, many soldiers that were injured in civil war died due to infections caused by health care personal in hospital tents. Later in 1847, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis introduced the concept of hand washing prior to patient handling which dramatically dropped the rate of infections caused by physicians. In modern medical times, in the presence of several aseptic techniques the incidence of infection caused by health care professionals is considerably reduced however, still it is regarded as a major issue in medical science (Cina and Perper, 2010). Presentations: Iatrogenic harm caused from errors in diagnosis can be broadly divided into three types: false positive results (diagnosing a disease/disorder in a individual who does not have one), false negatives (mis-diagnosi ng a disease/disorder in an individual or misjudging the severity of a disease/disorder) and failure to respond and execute to a long term treatment or recovery in a disease. It is a result of procedures or therapeutic treatments or diagnostic examinations. Most of the iatrogenic conditions become clinically evident during the hospital stay however, the infections caused