World Cup Challenge Results

World Cup Challenge Results The World Cup Challenge was a lot of fun! No one got a perfect score, but on the whole, people did pretty well. Below are the results, with the name of the country in each group from which MIT received the most freshman applications this past year in bold. Group A: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Poland Group B: England, Paraguay, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago Group C: Argentina, Cote dIvoire, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro Group D: Angola, Iran, Mexico, Portugal Group E: Czech Republic, Ghana, Italy, USA* Group F: Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Japan Group G: France, South Korea, Switzerland, Togo Group H: Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Ukraine Congratulations to Star, errhode, SMer, Jared, and Jules, who all tied for the most correct, with 6. The mode was, I believe, 5, with most people clustered in the 3-5 correct range. If the group winners faced off against each other based on most applications submitted, South Korea would defeat Mexico in the World Cup Challenge final. Overall this year, we received nearly 2500 applications from abroad from more than 100 countries. More statistics about this years admissions coming soon!

Weighing the Controversy and Good of Stem Cells - 1182 Words

Stem cells can become many different cell types. There are three main types; totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent. They have already have been successful in treating some diseases and have the potential to cure many other diseases. Stem cells have also been very useful in drug testing. However they have caused a lot of controversy, but some technology has helped settle this controversy. Cells must be specialized, differentiated and unmistakable so they can create the human body. The cells need to create red and white blood cells, neurons, bone, hair, muscle, skin, teeth and specialized organs. Within almost every cell in the body contains a complete set of genes to assemble and maintain a human. To become more specialized the cell will turn off unneeded genes. Stem cells are cells that have the potential to become almost any cell in the human body, during the early developments of life. Stem cells have the possibility to generate all of tissues within a human as well. Each stem cell can either stay a stem cell or become a more specialized cell. The stem cells that are unspecialized are capable of renewing themselves or possibly being induced to become organ specific cells or tissue cells with special functions. Most stem cells have a constant supply to replace other cells that are injured, diseased, or even aged. A totipotent cell occurs when an egg and a sperm unite to create a one celled fertilized egg called a zygote. This cell is undifferentiated because they areShow MoreRelated Embryonic Wars Essay1634 Words   |  7 Pagesconsequentialism. This paper will also probe into the relatively brief history of the debate while gauging the particular stumbling blocks of disagreement which bioethicists have arrived at. The topical aspects of therapeutic cloning will be closely studied by weighing the pros and cons and gaining a greater understanding of the present scenario. Formally speaking, embryonic cloning is a technique used by researchers and animal breeders to split a single embryo into two or more embryos that will all have the sameRead MoreEssay on A Look at Gene Therapy1264 Words   |  6 PagesWould you consider altering your DNA if it could save your life? Scientist have been working on gene therapy since the 1970s, this biotechnological form of medicine is the attempt to medically modify cells to help eliminate or prevent diseases by correcting defective genes. Imagine the possibilities of having your DNA tested for heritable diseases and being able to eliminate such diseases from your future. From 1990-2003 the Department of Energy coordinated a project called the Human Genome ProjectRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Field Of Science And Medicine2460 Words   |  10 Pagesissues such as the use of stem cells and genetic engineering practices like cloning. The advancement of technology in the field of science and medicine has allowed scientists to carry out new procedures like the ones listed above, rather than wonder if they are even possible. But scientific progress doesn’t come about without a little debate over whether or not this new technology is being used in an ethical manner. For example, many people are opposed to the use of stem cells from an aborted fetus becauseRead More Frankenfoods Essay2563 Words   |  11 Pagesmodification was first used at a very basic level, today it involves implantation of DNA from one organism to another. The basis for genetic modification occurred in the 1970s when the technology to isolate individual genes and alter and copy them in cells was developed. In 1994, the first genetically modified crop, the Flavr Savr Tomato, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale and consumption 1. Since then the GMOs have taken over the agriculture industry with over 22 percent (or roughlyRead MoreLas 432 Research Paper: Gmos20901 Words   |  84 Pageswith the potential to help starving nations, combat disease and create economic growth; however the research and true benefits to humans in general is underdeveloped and under-regulated. This uncertainty leads to controversy, possible environmental impacts and health concerns. An idea good in concept, Genetically Modified Organisms creates a topic of discussion and the necessity for further research and study. This report begins with a description of this technology and the science it is derivedRead More_x000C_Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis355457 Words   |  1422 Pagesis currently working on a book in applied mathematical statistics. He is the recipient of a distinguished teaching award from Cal Poly and is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cooking and eating good food, tennis, and travel to faraway places. He is especially proud of his wife, Carol, a retired elementary school teacher, his daughter Allison, who works for the Center for Women and Excellence in Boston, and his daughter Teri, who is ï ¬ nishing aRead MoreEffects and Implications of Coalition Governments on the Political Scnerio in India16277 Words   |  66 Pagesthe effects that certain cabinet characteristics have on foreign policy. In particular, we examine the effects of coalition strength, the number of parties in the coalition, and the ideologica l placement of coalition parties. These characteristics stem from different institutional and political situations that coalitions face, but are also connected to long-standing psychological explanations of group decision making. Our study is a quantitative analysis using published data on the characteristicsRead MoreGeneral Electric60506 Words   |  243 Pagesits business model. The chapter proceeds forward with a look at what makes strategy a winner and then presents reasons for why crafting and executing strategy are important. The chapter concludes with thoughts on the equation: good strategy + good strategy execution = good management. Lecture Outline I. Introduction 1. Managers at all companies face three central questions in thinking strategically about their company’s present circumstances and prospects: Where are we now? —concernsRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesreasoning has been enjoyable for me, but special thanks go to my children, Joshua, 8, and Justine, 3, for comic relief during the months of writing. This book is dedicated to them. For the 2012 edition: This book is dedicated to my wife Hellan whose good advice has improved the book in many ways. vi Table of Contents Preface.........................................................................................................................................................iii CopyrightRead MoreAn Evaluation of an on-Farm Food Safety Program for Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Producers; a Global Blueprint for Fruit and Vegetable Producers51659 Words   |  207 PagesChapman University of Guelph, 2005 Advisor: Professor Douglas A. Powell Fresh fruits and vegetables have been increasingly linked to cases of foodborne illness. Many produce farmers have implemented on-farm food safety strategies, employing good agricultural practices focusing on water, handling and sanitation to reduce risk. An illustrative case study to examine implementation trends was developed through the examination of current on-farm food safety issues and programs, with specific focus

The Changing Definition of African-American History

Since the origins of the field in the late 19th century, scholars have devised more than one definition of what constitutes African-American history. Some intellectuals have viewed the field as an extension or corollary to American history. Some have stressed the influence of Africa on African-American history, and others have viewed African-American history as vital to black liberation and power. Late 19th Century Definition An Ohio lawyer and minister, George Washington Williams, published the first serious work of African-American history in 1882. His work, History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880, began with the arrival of the first slaves in the North American colonies and concentrated on the major events in American history that involved or affected African-Americans. Washington, in his Note to volume two of his opus, said that he intended to lift the Negro race to its pedestal in American history as well as to instruct the present, inform the future. During this period of history, most African Americans, like Frederick Douglass, stressed their identities as Americans and did not look to Africa as a source of history and culture, according to historian Nell Irvin Painter. This was true of historians like Washington as well, but during the early decades of the 20th century and especially during the Harlem Renaissance, African-Americans, including historians, began to celebrate Africas history as their own. The Harlem Renaissance, or The New Negro Movement W.E.B. Du Bois was the foremost African-American historian during this period. In works like The Souls of Black Folk, he stressed African-American history as the confluence of three different cultures: African, American and African-American. Du Bois historical works, such as The Negro (1915), framed the history of black Americans as starting in Africa. One of Du Boiss contemporaries, historian Carter G. Woodson, created the forerunner of todays Black History Month--Negro History Week--in 1926. While Woodson felt that Negro History Week should emphasize the influence black Americans had on U.S. history, he too in his historical works looked back to Africa. William Leo Hansberry, a  professor at Howard University from 1922 to 1959, developed this trend even further by describing African-American history as the experience of the African diaspora. During the Harlem Renaissance, artists, poets, novelists, and musicians also looked toward Africa as a source of history and culture. Artist Aaron Douglas, for instance,  regularly used African themes in his paintings and murals. Black Liberation and African-American History In the 1960s and 1970s, activists and intellectuals, like Malcolm X, saw African-American history as an essential component of black liberation and power. In a 1962 speech, Malcolm explained: The thing that has made the so-called Negro in America fail, more than any other thing, is your, my, lack of knowledge concerning history. We know less about history than anything else. As Pero Dagbovie argues in African American History Reconsidered, many black intellectuals and scholars, such as Harold Cruse, Sterling Stuckey, and Vincent Harding, agreed with Malcolm that African-Americans needed to understand their past in order to seize the future. Contemporary Era White academia finally accepted African-American history as a legitimate field in the 1960s. During that decade, many universities and colleges began to offer classes and programs in African-American studies and history. The field exploded, and American history textbooks began to incorporate African-American history (as well as womens and Native American history) into their standard narratives. As a sign of the increasing visibility and importance of the field of African-American history, President Gerald Ford declared February to be Black History Month in 1974. Since then, both black and white historians have built on the work of earlier African-American historians, exploring the influence of Africa on the lives of African-Americans, creating the field of black womens history and revealing the myriad ways in which the story of the United States is the story of race relations. History has expanded to include the working class, women, Native Americans and Hispanic Americans in addition to the experiences of African-Americans. Black  history, as practiced today, is interconnected with all of these other sub-fields in U.S. history. Many of todays historians would probably agree with Du Bois inclusive definition of African-American history as the interaction among African, American and African-American peoples and cultures. Sources Dagbovie, Pero. African American History Reconsidered. Urbana-Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2010.Painter, Nell Irvin. Creating Black Americans: African-American History and its Meanings, 1619 to the Present. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.Williams, George Washington. History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1883.  X, Malcolm. Black Mans History. 1962 speech.

Scientific Method and Scientist Perspective View Free Essays

Science is a venture that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanation and prediction about what are the things that is happening in the world. A closely related meaning of this is Aristotle’s scientific view, which is scientific knowledge is a body of reliable knowledge that can be logically and rationally explained. Objectivity in the field of science is recognized with the property of scientific measurement that can be tested from the scientist who proposes them freely. We will write a custom essay sample on Scientific Method and Scientist Perspective View or any similar topic only for you Order Now So, it is strongly connected to the aim of testability and reproducibility. To be identified as an objective, the results of measurement must be passed on from person to person and then to be verified for third parties, to be able to understand by the objective world. In my opinion, I believe science is objective because as a scientist perspective view all explanation and prediction must be precise and accurate. And I believe scientist don’t just believe on people’s perspective view. One example of this is when religious people believed that God created everything usually scientist will not believe it without any explanation so they tend to research things that will lead them to their findings. Like the creation of human they believe that human were first apes but due to the environmental changes, this apes tend to adapt to the environment and slowly evolve in to humans. There are a lot of things that affect the objectivity of science. First, the selection of the specific object to measure is typically a subjective decision and it often involves reductionism. One example of this is in an experiment when a scientist is determining a specific finding usually he determines his finding by using subjective interpretation of quantifying terms such as â€Å"cold†, â€Å"hot†, â€Å"blue†, â€Å"tiny†, â€Å"huge†, and â€Å"small†, â€Å"large†, â€Å"gigantic†, â€Å"red†, and some other adjectives that could describe their experiment. Second is the selection of instruments and measurement methodology. Some features or qualities of the object under study will be ignored in the measurement process, and the limitations of the chosen instruments will cause data to be left out of consideration. One example of this is when a scientist wants to know the temperature of the area. He can either use the thermometer to measure directly the temperature or use the barometer to know the humidity of the air and determine the temperature. These two devices can give two different results which can result to a skewed decision. In addition absolute limits of objectivity surrounding the measurement process, can give community of researchers certain â€Å"subjective views†, and this subjectivity is therefore built in to the conceptual systems. In my opinion, we can do a lot of things to improve the objectivity of science. We can avoid the variety of subjective interpretation by using measuring tools like measuring tools like meter stick, stopwatches, thermometer, barometer, electromechanical measuring instruments like the spectrometers, voltmeters, timers, oscilloscopes and gravimeters. These devices eliminate the perspective variability of individual observers. An additional objectivity of science we can also develop the avoiding of such partiality like the cognitive bias, which is an outline of variation in judgment that happens in particular situations, cultural bias, which is the occurrence of interpreting and judging phenomena by standards innate to one’s own culture and sampling bias, is an error that causes some members of the population to not be included than others by doing random sampling and double-bind trials Random sampling is taking a number of independent observations from the same probability distribution, without involving any real population while in the other hand double-bind trials is an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects of the experiment nor the persons administering the experiment know the critical aspects of the experiment. How to cite Scientific Method and Scientist Perspective View, Essay examples

History Of Art Essay Example For Students

History Of Art Essay The body has been used as a sign or symbol in art for centuries. The body was used to symbolize perfection in ancient Greece, and in Egypt, to give a precise image for the God of the After-life. Not to mention their colossal monuments which promote power and glory, and are used to intimidate. However contemporary artists use the body as a symbol which conveys a whole range of different kinds of layered meaning, although the simple symbol of power has not been lost over the centuries. Ancient Greek sculptures of the body are a medium between man and the gods, they are an ideal of physical perfection. The female figure of c. 650-625 B. C. fig. 123 and a nude male youth of c. 600 B. C. fig. 124 are perfect examples of the use of symbols to convey meaning. These statues, Kore maiden and Kouros youth were produced in large numbers, all being virtually the same in outline. Their general names emphasised the need for the statues to remain unidentified and the lack of personal character. Some were placed on graves only to be viewed as representations of the deceased in the broadest sense completely impersonal. And some were used as offerings, for example: for a favoured person like the victor in an athletic competition. The strange lack of differentiation seems to be part of the character of these figures. They are neither gods nor men, but rather somewhere in between, a symbol of physical perfection, an ideal shared by not only humans but also immortals, the gods. Moreover, statues of the body in Ancient Greek art were also used to capture the image of the gods themselves. Nine of Samothrace fig. 181has a dramatic impact on the viewer. It is the image of the goddess descending upon the prow of a ship. The beauty of the shapes that the body creates, glorifies and beautifies the goddess. It is a symbol of the power and immortality of the gods and the sole purpose of the artist is to convey this beauty and power to the people of Ancient Greece. Ancient Egypt is also another place in which the body was used as a symbol or sign. Colossal monuments such as The Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel was a symbol of great power and wealth, as only pharaohs were able to create these monuments. Size was everything to the Egyptian pharaohs, it was the primary key to emphasise and increase their power and worshipers. The wonderful inscriptions and hieroglyphs found on temple walls were of great importance. The use of the body in the relief work on the temple walls were used to convey a perfect image of the deceased to the God of the After life. The detail and intricacy of the body was to insure that they could be recreated to perfection in their life after death. Contemporary works that use the body as a sign or symbol, are found in abundance. Works as simple as a portrait can have a great impact on people. Portraits such as that of Hitler, during World War, I had enormous effects on the people of the Jewish religion. To have these huge portraits of Hitlers face all over the country insured his control and power over the turn of events and the Jews. Victims by Jose Clemente Orozco is of the Symbolist art movement. The name of this movement is indicative of the precise purpose of the artists of that time. Orozco had a deep humanitarian sympathy with silent suffering masses and in Victims he illustrates his powerful trait. The bony bodies of the unidentified people in Victims is a symbol of the problems that were afoot in the world in 1936. Vast numbers of people were starving, suffering and dying. Gertude Stein And The Art Of Cubism EssayOrozco used the bodies in his artworks as a symbol of this suffering and successfully draws the focus and the emotions of the viewer. Thus, the artwork has fulfilled its primary purpose. The use of the body in Les Demoiselles d Avignon by Pablo Picasso symbolizes the change of the way we view art and the body in art. Picasso introduced Cubism to the world. His brave abandonment of the Blue Period for a different and more robust style is seen and conveyed through his art. When Picasso started this picture, it was supposed to be a temptation scene in a brothel. However, he ended up with five nudes and a still life. This artwork was Picassos own counterpart to Matisses The Joy of Life , and the nudes in his work have a savage aggressiveness compared with Matisses generalized figures. This distinct difference could be considered as a sign of Picassos growing distance from the style of art in that particular time. His urge to breakaway from convention and conformity can be seen through the signs he posts through his artworks and also through the use of the body in art. Consequently, throughout the history of art, the body has frequently been used as a sign or symbol as a metaphor or to convey meaning. In the times long before Christ the body was used in art to show power and wealth, like the Egyptians, and also to create a perfect image, as it was for the Greeks. In the 20th century, the body as a sign or symbol may be interpreted differently by each viewer. However, there is always an underlying purpose and meaning to the works of contemporary artists, how ever layered it may be. Overall, we can never escape the fact that the body as a symbol will be used in art to come, as it has before, and that it has a concrete prestige in the world of art.

Impaired Nurses Working After a Treatment Program free essay sample

Impaired Nurses Working After a Treatment Program The nursing profession has an honorable position in society (Harris Poll, 2005). Nurses are responsible for the lives and health of others, to which they provide intimate care. However, nurses are not immune to the disorders that affect their patients. As a result, some are unable to practice due to some type of impairment, which is defined as a situation in which an individual is rendered unable to perform their professional duties and responsibilities in a reasonable manner because of a variety of health problems, including physical disease, psychiatric problems, substance abuse, and chemical dependence (Lectric Law Library, 2010). In fact, the American Journal of Nursing(2010) estimates that 3-6 % of registered nurses are impaired at work on any given day. These impairments not only put their patients at risk, but they also threaten their own health, and jeopardize their careers as well as their nursing licenses. We will write a custom essay sample on Impaired Nurses Working After a Treatment Program or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The American Nurses Association’s position on this issue is based on the ethical principle in its Code of Ethics for Nurses: Provision 3-The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient (ANA, 2001). Nurses who are challenged with any type of impairment not only pose a potential threat to those they care about, but have neglected, above all, to care for themselves. There is no question to these actions being wrong and for the need of immediate intervention to the same. The dilemma is if impaired nurses should keep practicing after completing a treatment program; this issue is controversial due to nurses being responsible for the lives of others, there are pros and cons that must be understood before making any judgments. To illustrate, there are six nurses in the surgical unit, three of which are experiencing some type of impairment. Marc has been an RN for over 25 years, last year he hurt his back, but never followed up  on medical care. At times he has a difficult time getting out of bed and up from a chair. On the job, Marc struggles to assist his patients so he is always asking for help, he prefers not to work overtime, and he barely makes it through the 12-hour shifts. He cannot afford to lose his job because he pays for his son’s college tuition. At work his co-workers are getting annoyed by his constant behavior and are starting to complain to the supervisor. Nurse Sarah was a new graduate and was feeling stressed all the time. She was trying to adjust to the new environment and the responsibilities of being a nurse. One day, she had a XANAX pill from a patient that refused to take it. She was going through a lot that day, so she took the pill. It made her feel much better. From then on, she would steal medication from her patients whenever possible. Most of her patients complain of pain within minutes of being â€Å"medicated†. Finally, Nurse Jackie got divorced a couple of months ago. She felt depressed most of the time, she was constantly late to work, making mistakes often, and her appearance was not appropriate for the health care setting. Her supervisor talked to her about the situation, and Jackie agreed to get help. She completed a treatment program last month and was able to spare her license and her job. She has more energy and is one of the best nurses in the unit. These three scenarios are examples of the reality that thousands of nurses experience on a daily basis. It is estimated that one out of five to seven nurses (Indiana State Nurses Association, 2007) suffer from some type of impairment. The ANA has adopted a resolution that seeks ways to assist impaired nurses to recover and reclaim their careers. This is the reason why the ANA supports â€Å"alternative to discipline† and â€Å"peer assistance programs† offered by most states, including the state of Texas. It is called the Texas Peer Assistance Program (TPAP), â€Å"it offers comprehensive monitoring and support services to reasonably assure the safe rehabilitation and return of the nurse to her or his professional community† (ANA, 2002). In addition to the ANA ethical principles, the Americans with Disabilities Act (1996) protects qualified individuals against discrimination in job application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training, and other aspects of employment. Mental illnesses and serious physical impairments, including chemical dependence, are likely to be covered under this law. However, the ADA does not protect a nurse who is  unable to perform the essential functions of the job because of the specific disability and does not offer protection from illegal drug use (ADA, 2000). According to the last survey by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 37 states have some type of program to assist impaired nurses into treatment and rehab, monitor their return to work, and spare their licenses (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2010). The first reason given is that a punitive system creates barriers to reporting and keeps impaired nurses from getting help. Nurse colleagues or co-workers may hesitate to report something that could cost the nurse her job and license, which creates an unsafe environment for the patients and for the impaired nurse. The states that have a treatment program have a higher number of impairment reports, including voluntary ones and the ability to work during treatment is an important incentive to keep participants compliant (NCSBN, 2010). Another reason is that most of these nurses are â€Å"apt nurses†. They possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to care for the patients. The health care industry is experiencing a nursing shortage, and getting rid of these qualified nurses will make this situation worse. People that support this issue believe that there is a solution that can be done, where both affected sides benefit, i.e., the patients are taken care of appropriately, and the impaired nurses get help and keep their jobs and licenses. Some job modifications have to be made in order for the work environment to be conducive to recovery, but the end result is productive for the public and the facilities (Winokur, 1992). In addition, this provides a safer environment for the patients because the impaired nurse is being treated, instead of getting fired and working somewhere else, where she/he continues practicing while under the impairment (Corinth, 1997). This reduces the risk for patients, and eligibility requirements serve as a public safety net. An impaired nurse is usually not allowed to work for multiple employers, to be self-employed, to do agency nursing, to take on private-duty assignments for a nursing registry, to work in home health, or to be floated to other units (NCSBN, 2010). This is an advantage for the public because the impaired nurse will be under supervision to prevent a relapse, to which many programs have a zero tolerance. In most cases they are only given a one time opportunity to recover. On the other hand, the people against this issue state that it is too much of a hazard for the  patients. The way they see it is that regardless of the nurse completing the treatment progr am, she is still at risk of relapsing. They do not believe that a previous impaired nurse should be allowed to handle the care of patients. The argument is simple, â€Å"they had a duty to the patient, and they chose to break that duty† (Rogers, 1970. By giving them another opportunity, they are providing the impaired nurses with another chance to do harm, and an innocent life could be lost. They want the public to have a safe environment during hospitalization. They are not willing to take any chances because it is not safe for the patients and it is unfair for the rest of the employees (Dunn, 2005). Consequently, giving an impaired nurse the opportunity to work after the treatment will put a strain on the co-workers. The affected nurse will have many restrictions to her usual activities, which in return will require the assistance of others (Hendrix, 1997). A basic task such as administering medications has to be supervised or monitored. The other nurses have their own patients, and these types of activities will only increase their workload. A nurse that suffers from a physical impairment will need to have adjustments to their daily routines. This will mean that others have to either help the nurse or finish the assignments for the nurse. Regardless of the type of impairment, once the nurse comes back to work, changes have to be made to promote a safety environment, and others around the affected nurse would also have to adjust and work with these changes (Dunn, 2005). The final opposing argument is that by allowing recovering impaired nurses to work, it creates a major impact on the economy (Daniel, 1994). Participation in the monitoring program itself is usually free, or at minimal cost to the nurse, which means the hospital or private insurance has to pay for it (American Journal of Nursing, 2009). People against this issue argue that it should be the nurse’s responsibility to pay for the treatment and whatever costs that come with it. When the nurse is allowed back to the job, other extra accommodations have t o be implemented to monitor the nurse. This entails the facility to provide for overtime of other nurses due to the restrictions of the affected nurse. This creates a decline in productivity and lack of effort on the impaired nurse and the rest of the staff. Ultimately, the facility and tax payers suffer the consequences of having to pay for these treatment programs (Berens, 2000). In conclusion, this issue is extremely  controversial due to nurse’s duty and responsibility to care for their patients. Nurses are expected to provide appropriate care and a safe environment to the public. When an impaired nurse is in charge of these tasks, it violates the basic philosophy in which nursing stands. Patients deserve to receive adequate care from a competent nurse; there is no doubt about this. It is the nurse’s responsibility to comply with the patient’s needs; therefore, when an impaired nurse chooses to provide care for another person, this nurse is jeopardizing the safety of the patient. If the nurse has the option to get treatment, while maintaining the job, this nurse will be more than likely to voluntarily ente r a treatment program. In fact, other co-workers that become aware of the impairment will be more willing to report the nurse as long as they know they will not cause her/him to lose the job. Consequently, the impaired nurse will be removed from the care of the patients until she is stable. If the nurse needs special accommodations to keep working, these will be provided and this will enhance not only the nurse’s performance, but the care of the patient. Imagine, if the nurse knows that she will lose her/his job, she will deny having a problem, and the only option for the employer until this resolves will be to fire the nurse. What is the nurse going to do? Find another job, and put others at risk? In the meantime, the litigation is in process, and not only is the facility losing more money than if the nurse was under treatment, now they are short one more person. This will increase the nursing shortage, and others nurses will be working over-time, which will cost more money to the facility. If the nurse maintains the job, and is willing to get help, most of the co-workers will be glad to help the nurse with the recovery. Regardless of the special accommodations being made, the bottom line is that most of these nurses are competent and knowledgeable; they just need help to overcome their problem. Nursing is based on caring for others. How can we not care for our own? Nurses are just as humans as the rest of us, capable of making mistakes and not immune to mental and physical illnesses, that require the same care and treatment of the patients they care for. If the nurse admits to the problem and has finished a treatment program, this nurse deserves to get a second chance because this experience will allow her/him  to show compassion to the patients, and these will be the ones to benefit the most. Impaired nurses are in need of care and compas sion. This is what nursing is all about†¦helping those in need.

Competitive Improv Theater Games for Improv Actors

Competitive Improv Theater Games for Improv Actors Most improvisational activities are guided by a very loose format. Actors might be given a location or a situation in which to create a scene. For the  most part, they have the freedom to make up their own characters, dialogue, and actions. Improv comedy groups play each scene in hopes of generating laughter. More serious acting troupes create realistic improvisational scenes. There are, however, many challenging improv games that are competitive in nature. They are judged usually by a moderator, host, or even the audience. These types of games generally put a lot of restrictions on the performers, resulting in a great deal of fun for the viewers. Some of the most entertaining competitive improvisation games are: The Question GameAlphabetWorld’s Worst Remember: Although these games are competitive by design, they are meant to be performed in the spirit of comedy and camaraderie. The Question Game In Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the two bumbling protagonists wander through Hamlet’s rotten Denmark, amusing themselves with a combative â€Å"question game.† It’s a sort of verbal tennis match. Stoppard’s clever play demonstrates the basic idea of the Question Game: create a scene in which two characters speak only in questions. How to Play:  Ask the audience for a location. Once the setting is established, the two actors begin the scene. They must speak only in questions. (Normally one question at a time.) No sentences ending with a period – no fragments – just questions. Example: LOCATION: A popular theme park.Tourist: How do I get to the water ride?Ride Operator: First time at Disneyland?Tourist: How can you tell?Ride Operator: Which ride did you want?Tourist: Which one makes the biggest splash?Ride Operator: Are you ready to get soaking wet?Tourist: Why else would I be wearing this raincoat?Ride Operator: Do you see that big ugly mountain down yonder?Tourist: Which one? And so it continues. It might sound easy, but continually coming up with questions that progress the scene is quite challenging for most performers. If the actor says something that is not a question, or if they continually repeat questions (â€Å"What did you say?† â€Å"What did you say again?†), then the audience is encouraged to make a â€Å"buzzer† sound effect. The â€Å"loser† who failed to properly respond sits down. A new actor joins the competition. They can continue using the same location/situation or a new setting can be established. Alphabet This game is ideal for performers with a knack for alphabetization. The actors create a scene in which each line of dialogue begins with a certain letter of the alphabet. Traditionally, the game starts off with an â€Å"A† line. Example: Actor #1: All right, our first annual comic book club meeting is called to order.Actor #2: But I’m the only one wearing a costume.Actor #1: Cool.Actor #2: Does it make me look fat?Actor #1: Excuse me, but what’s the name of your character?Actor #2: Fat man.Actor #1: Good, then it suits you. And it continues all the way through the alphabet. If both actors make it to the end, then it’s usually considered a tie. However, if one of the actors flubs up, the audience members make their judgmental â€Å"buzzer† sound, and the actor at fault leaves the stage to be replaced by a new challenger. Normally, the audience supplies the location or the relationship of the characters. If you tire of always beginning with the letter â€Å"A† the audience can randomly select a letter for the performers to begin with. So, if they receive the letter â€Å"R† they would work their way through â€Å"Z,† go to â€Å"A† and end with â€Å"Q.† Ugh, it’s starting to sound like algebra! World’s Worst This is less an improv exercise and more of an â€Å"instant punch-line† game. Although it’s been around a long time, â€Å"World’s Worst† was made popular by the hit show, Whose Line Is It Anyway? In this version, 4 to 8 actors stand in a line facing the audience. A moderator gives random locations or situations. The performers come up with the world’s most inappropriate (and incredibly humorous) thing to say. Here are some examples from Whose Line Is It Anyway: World’s Worst thing to say on your first day in prison: Who here loves to crochet?World’s Worst thing to say on a romantic date: Let’s see. You had the Big Mac. That’s two dollars you owe me.World’s Worst thing to say at a Major Award Ceremony: Thank you. As I accept this major award, I’d like to thank everyone I’ve ever met. Jim. Sarah. Bob. Shirley. Tom, etc. If the audience responds positively, then the moderator can give the performer a point. If the joke generates boos or groans, then the moderator may want to good-naturedly take points away. Note: Veteran improv performers know that these activities are meant to entertain. There aren’t really winners or losers. The whole purpose is to have fun, make the audience laugh, and sharpen your improve skills. However, young performers might not understand this. If you are a drama teacher or a youth theater director, consider the maturity level of your actors before trying these activities.