Student Nurses Perceptions of Gender Essay Example for Free

Student Nurses Perceptions of Gender Essay Though they may be half a world away, nursing schools in India face problems similar to those in the United States when it comes to recruiting men. The results of this research of nursing students in Pondicherry, India, may surprise you. by S. Sridevy, B. S. N. , M. S. N. , M. A. , M. Phil. †¢ RSS †¢ Print †¢ E-mail †¢ Comment †¢ MN 2011 Spring [pic] Though they may be half a world away, nursing schools in India face problems similar to those in the United States when it comes to recruiting men. The following study sought to discern the opinions of 78 senior nursing students studying in and around Pondicherry, India, regarding gender roles in their field. It aimed to determine the following: 1. Whether nursing students have different opinions of what professional roles male and female nurses should occupy. 2. Whether gender affects the image and status of the nursing profession. The results of the survey indicated that most of the nursing students prefer men to occupy administrative or teaching positions. Additionally, there were statistically significant results between female and male students perceptions surrounding the effect of males on the image and status of nursing. These findings may impact local nursing education recruitment programs for both men and women, and perhaps the health service organization as a whole. Men in nursing Though they still represent a slim minority, men are increasingly pursuing careers in nursing, attracted by abundant job opportunities, good salaries, and the opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives. This is in no small part due to the fact that the nursing profession has worked for years to dispel misconceptions surrounding men in this female-dominated field. What is interesting about todays perceptions of gender in nursing is that until the days of Florence Nightingale in the late 19th century, nursing was a male-dominated profession. 1  Nightingale considered nursing a suitable job for women because it was an extension of their domestic roles. Her image of the nurse as nurturing, domestic, humble, and self-sacrificing became prevalent. Qualities associated with women, like compassion and dependency, align with those often attributed to nurses. 2  In modern times, the social construction of the role of a nurse has typically meant a caring, hardworking woman. Nursing, in the span of Nightingales lifetime, became identified as a profession deeply embedded in the female gender. 3 On the other side of the gender divide, men who enter nursing may still face questions about their masculinity or sexuality. Sociologists describe sex role socialization as instrumental for men and expressive for women. The characteristics of instrumental socialization include aggression and the ability to compete, lead, and wield power to accomplish tasks. Expressive socialization includes learning to nurture and be sensitive to needs of others. Many female dominated positions, including nursing, have difficulty attracting male recruits. This can be attributed in part to issues such as status and pay, but also to the gender stereotyping of the profession. Although the number of males in nursing has increased in recent years, the underlying feminization of nursing is still an important issue.   Persistent and outdated gender stereotypes are a big part of the problem. [pic] Today, men still only make up between 5%–10% of the nursing workforce in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Although its a small percentage, todays statistics actually represent an over 20% increase in the number of male nurses in the past two decades. 5There are many supposed reasons for the lack of men in nursing. For example, if a mans peers consider nursing emasculating, he has a disincentive for becoming a nurse. Another reason suggested is the lower economic status associated with the nursing field. 3  However, the most commonly proposed reason is that men are less likely to enter jobs associated with women than women are to enter those positions traditionally held by men. Despite the obvious disproportion of male nurses to all men, studies have also shown men are overrepresented in senior nursing posts. 2  They achieve promotion more quickly than women at all levels of the nursing hierarchy above the entry-level positions. This could be attributed to the vast difference in the number of female nurses who work part time, compared to part-time male nurses. Some researchers suggest that managers perceive part-time female staff to be less attached to their careers. 7  Studies have consistently reported that one of the major reasons for womens slower progress in nursing is the number and length of career breaks taken, particularly to have children. One such study indicated that women were 10 times more likely than men to have taken a career break to care for children.   Furthermore, male nurses may be thought to bring stability to the nursing profession, which had always been considered at the mercy of marriage and motherhood, reflecting hidden advantages for men and disadvantages for women. 1 Study specifics Participants were assured informed consent and confidentiality. All students received an explanation of the study before introduction of the questionnaire, and only those who agreed to participate continued. Students names were not sought in the questionnaires and their confidentiality was respected. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed were female and 38% were male. The first part of the survey included socio-demographic data, while the second part asked students about their perception of males in nursing and the effects of recruiting males to the field. The third section asked students about their perception of gender stereotypes. Questions included: 1. How do you feel about men in nursing? 2. Do you think nursing is a womans job? 3. Do men and women differ in their professional role? What do you think are the suitable work places and positions fit for male nurses? 5. What do you think of the effect of men on the image of nursing? Male nurses as perceived by both genders Most of the female students and nearly half of the male students chose emergency units as the most suitable area for male nurses. Nearly 42% of the female nurses preferred men to work as instructors in nursing schools after graduation. There were significant differences between both genders perceptions about the nursing positions men should occupy after graduation. While 48% of the female students considered men as staff nurses, most of the male students said they should occupy administrative (40%) or teaching posts (38%) after graduation. Significant differences were also found between the female and male students perceptions regarding the effect of males on the image of nursing. When asked if men improve the image of nursing, 54% of the female respondents agreed, compared to 90% of the male respondents. Cultural values, a lack of understanding about what nurses really do at work, and the way nurses are portrayed in popular media highly affect the public image of nursing. The results of the survey show that male students prefer administrative/instructional positions after graduation. In contrast, female students said they more often preferred men to assume staff nurse positions. While there are difficulties for men working in female-dominated professions, male nurses tend to have a faster and more straightforward career progression than their female counterparts. Male students exhibited gender role tension about nursing, as 43% considered nursing a female profession. Some research reports numbers as high as 82% of male high school students would not choose nursing as a career, believing it should be a female-only profession. 9, 10) Conclusions and recommendations The results of this study indicate that nursing continues to be seen as a female-dominated profession, especially by male students, despite the ever-increasing number of men in nursing. Stereotypical notions of gender roles possibly affect male students desire to occupy administrative positio ns after graduation, though further studies are needed. Nursing as a profession can only benefit from a talent pool drawing a proportionate number of men. Nursing schools, health care organizations, and the media should continue to advocate for the profession, portraying positive images of the field and male nurses. A community education campaign to improve the image of nursing could also be initiated. To emphasize a nurses role identity without any gender segregations, school educators should encourage students to manage gender-related problems.

U.S. Constitution :: essays research papers

The document I chose to write about is the United States Constitution. When the thirteen British colonies in North America declared their independence in 1776, they laid down that â€Å"governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.† The â€Å"colonies† had to establish a government, which would be the framework for the United States. The purpose of a written constitution is to define and therefore more specifically limit government powers. After the Articles of Confederation failed to work in the 13 colonies, the U.S. Constitution was created in 1787. The Constitution is important because it was expressly designed to limit powers into three co-ordinate branches, the legislative, executive, and judiciary branch; none of which was to have supremacy over the others. This separation of powers with the checks and balances which each branch was given over the others was designed to prevent any branch, from infringing individual liberties safeguarded by the Constitution. I think the U.S. Constitution was a way for the U.S. to establish government which was a negotiation between the two former governments, a monarchy and total state power. I think by creating the checks and balances, people’s rights would be safer and they would feel more secure not having one branch of government with absolute power. What I found most interesting about the Constitution was how complex and detailed the framers made it, to effectively explain and limit the individual branches of power in government. In the words of Thomas Paine, "a governm ent without a constitution is power without right". Meaning that for power to be granted, it is necessary to establish a constitution. The Federalist Papers 10 & 51 were essays which helped persuade the citizens of the United States to vote for the federal Constitution. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay used pseudonyms as their names to convince the public. Those who were skeptical of voting for a government, which had many different major powers, were reassured by the founding fathers in their speeches and conventions throughout the U.S. The importance of Constitution, both in its content and its status, is little appreciated by the general public.

Exercise Promotes Healthy Lifestyle Essay

A good diet and sufficient rest are important to sustain a healthy lifestyle but are not the only things to consider. When performed properly, exercising provides countless benefits that can further improve your quality of life. Regular exercise is an essential part of efficient weight loss and weight management. Exercising can also help thwart several diseases and improve a person’s overall well being. Whether it is a sport activity, a workout regimen, chores around the house, or yard work, all these types of physical activity are beneficial. Adapting an active lifestyle through exercising can be enjoyable and rewarding. Physical activity requires an individual to increase their level of exercising. According to Mayo Clinic staff, adults seeking a healthy lifestyle should include aerobic exercise and strength training in their fitness plans, specifically (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2013): * At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity — or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity — a week * Strength training exercises at least twice a week Every person’s level, whether new to exercising or a seasoned trainer, will be different therefore tailoring a workout program is an open venue for each person to explore. Different stages of exercise intensity can be researched to identify which stage a person can start. For beginners who are unsure about overexerting themselves, a moderate intensity, aerobic activity such as brisk walking is generally safe for most people. Some critics mention that physical activity may lead to a number of injuries. Exercising that involves moderate to high impact puts stress on the body. Even though this helps to build bone density, an individual who already has frail bones can damage a bone under the smallest amount of stress or impact (Tesch, 2011). This may hold true, however when performed correctly as well as starting at the appropriate intensity, these injuries are greatly minimized. That’s why it’s key to start slowly and to gradually increase the progression of intensity. Undesirable circumstances, such as a heart attack, are likely not to occur during exercise sessions. Daily exercising should be implemented in the everyday routine, no matter the age or fitness level. Physical activity tones the body, increases muscle strength, maintains strong bones, and promotes healthier skin. Other benefits of exercising result in better sleep and increased relaxation, a more positive mental state, and an enhanced immune system. Numerous researches show that incorporating an active lifestyle, through the use of an established workout program, have positive outcomes for all areas of health, including mental, emotional, intellectual, and even social well-being, not just for physical health. Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. (Breene, 2013). Physical activity has been known to enhance mental clarity and efficiency. It is also linked with better thinking, learning, and judgment. Inquiries have revealed that exercise improves symptoms amid the clinically depressed. This is why physicians suggest, individuals suffering from melancholy or apprehension, should employ exercise in their daily lives. It has been proven, in a number of cases that proper exercise is as helpful as anti-depressant medication. The enhancement of a general mood can be achieved; by just working out for thirty minutes per session, a couple times a week. If time does not permit the utilization of the gym, a workout video can be very helpful. These videos are fun, easy to follow, and they are accompanied with great music. Because of the vast amount of videos, there are options of category and stage of health. If planning to develop a workout regimen in the near future; here are some examples of the type of videos that are available. Selections such as beginning aerobics, weight lifting, running; and even exercise for parents in the company of their kids. Options to participate in physical activity are infinite. Decide on the one that is most interesting to you, regardless if it is jogging, swimming, walking, and roller skating, or jumping rope. The most important point is to be physically active. In a brief amount of time, positive results will be achieved.

Environmental Issues That Led to the Decline of WorldCom Free Essay Example, 1750 words

At a Ã'•trategic level, deÃ'•pite itÃ'• numerouÃ'• acquiÃ'•itionÃ'•, WorldCom'Ã'• portfolio really had numerouÃ'• weakneÃ'•Ã'•eÃ'•. The combined company waÃ'• more dependent on the long diÃ'•tance buÃ'•ineÃ'•Ã'• and therefore faced Ã'•tronger riÃ'•kÃ'• from the regional BellÃ'•' anticipated moveÃ'• into the long diÃ'•tance buÃ'•ineÃ'•Ã'• (Upbin, 1998). Further, while WorldCom had reÃ'•ale rightÃ'• to wireleÃ'•Ã'•, it avoided taking ownerÃ'•hip of wireleÃ'•Ã'• aÃ'•Ã'•etÃ'• - inÃ'•tead adopting a wait and watch approach until the cuÃ'•tomer ownerÃ'•hip of cell phoneÃ'• becomeÃ'• huge (Mehta, 2001). In contraÃ'•t, itÃ'• Ã'•maller rival Ð…print already had a healthy blend of local, long diÃ'•tance and wireleÃ'•Ã'• aÃ'•Ã'•etÃ'•, with Ã'•trong global allianceÃ'•. The faÃ'•t-growing wireleÃ'•Ã'• buÃ'•ineÃ'•Ã'• waÃ'• at the core of Ð…print'Ã'• growth Ã'•trategy, and a critical part of AT T'Ã'• planÃ'•. The Telecom Act of 1996 reÃ'•ulted in further deregulation of the induÃ'•try. Under thiÃ'• Act, long diÃ'•tance carrierÃ'• were allowed to provide local phone Ã'•ervice (including by Ã'•etting their own facilitieÃ'• and thereby avoid paying high acceÃ'•Ã'• chargeÃ'•). Further, local carrierÃ'• were required to make individual componentÃ'• of their networkÃ'• available at wholeÃ'•ale priceÃ'• to the reÃ'•ellerÃ'•. Local carrierÃ'• who opened their networkÃ'• to competition were allowed to offer long diÃ'•tance Ã'•erviceÃ'•. We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Issues That Led to the Decline of WorldCom or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page