Complex Adaptive System

In-class Paper #3November 8, 2011 Topic: Define what a complex adaptive system is and identify the characteristics of complex adaptive systems Discuss how complex adaptive systems influence health care and subsequently nursing practice. Use examples form your practice to convey your understanding of complexity as it relates to your nursing practice. Outline: Introduction: Complex adaptive system is a collection of individual agents with freedom to act in ways that are not always totally predictable and whose actions are interconnected so that one agent’s actions changes the context for other agents. (GPlsek, P. E. & Greenhalgh, T. 2001) Characteristics of complex adaptive systems are: unpredictable interconnected, unclear boundaries, constant changing members, members also belong to other systems, each member uses internalized rules (these can, and likely are, different for each person and are not fixed). Complex system can influence health care because they can create positiv e or negative outcomes, they influence other systems and create tension and paradox that may be difficult to solve Body: Because the complex adaptive system is always changing, and interconnected with other systems so it will create many difficulty in solving the problems.In clinical settings, student nurses have to think critically and take multiple approach in order to intervene or solve the problems. Give examples from clinical settings Conclusion: Restate the significances of complex adaptive system and how it can influence clinical settings as well as health care Health care is a complex system. There’re varieties of different professions in healthcare from nurses to doctors, specialist, paramedics†¦ and even the concept of health itself is very complex as there’re many determinants that can influence one’s health.Moreover, health care matches the definition of a complex adaptive system, which is a collection of individual agents with freedom to act in ways that are not always totally predictable and whose actions are interconnected so that one agent’s actions changes the context for other agents. (GPlsek, P. E. & Greenhalgh, T. , 2001). The characteristics of the complex adaptive system are that it is unpredictable nterconnected, have unclear boundaries, constant changing members, members also belong to other systems, each member uses internalized rules (these can, and likely are, different for each person and are not fixed). Therefore, in order to work effectively in such complex system, nurses are required to have the competence to adapt to the system’s characteristics and utilize their best skills and knowledge to solve complex cases in complicated situations. The complex adaptive system is unpredictable, interconnected and usually have unclear boundaries.For example, at my clinical setting, which is a French immersion elementary school, is an example of a complex adaptive system. The school itself is a complex system because the students in the school is not only comprised of English speakers, but also the French speakers populations, and the teachers needs to know both language in order to communicate, to teach the students effectively. Students also come from different backgrounds, they have different ethnicities and different personalities.However, the school’s motto is â€Å"Better Together† which promotes the interconnectivity as they needs to work together to achieve the school goals. The interconnectivity characteristic is also demonstrated in an unwanted accident happened at the school. Grade 3 students there really like to play soccer, however, one day, there was a fist fight broke out between two students during a soccer game during recess, consequently, in order to ensure safety and that no conflicts would occur in the future because of soccer, soccer is banned at the school.The banning of soccer at recess elucidated to us as nursing students and the school staff that we need to address and improve the problem solving skills for the grade 3 students in order to prevent similar undesired occurrence to happen in the future. At this point, the boundaries in the school is not clearly drawn as teach the Health class is not nursing students’ responsibility, but the school expressed their need to us and wants us to do some interventions about it.Therefore, we devised to talk to the grade 3 teachers and ask for permission to teach the health class on days that we are at the sites to implement our intervention and address the problem solving issues among students. In Health class, we decided to act out skits of conflicting situations and have the students to come up with their ideas using appropriate problem solving skills to resolve the conflicts. By doing that, we – nursing students are not only take on the role of the student nurses, we are also the health class teacher on Tuesday to the grade 3 students.This example demonstrates tha t the context of the complex adaptive system (elementary school) really influences our nursing practice as we take on the role of Health class instructors to enhance grade 3 student conflict management skills. We exemplifie The above analysis shows that the complex adaptive system and its unique characteristics has strongly influence nursing practice in different context. As a competent nurse, we have to have the critical thinking skills, being creative and adapting to any situation in order to come up with the best possible interventions.

Impact of conflict Essay

Have you ever wonder why there are divisions and schisms around us that eventually lead to riots and wars? How can these things happen? These dilemmas happen because of conflict within the body or group of people. Sometimes conflict arises because of the superior and inferior mentality of some people. We can even notice and observe nowadays how our society is drastically changing. Our beliefs, cultures, values and morals have been changed through times. People are becoming liberal on things and somewhat approves the things that we know deep within us are wrong. They have the tendency to do things which only â€Å"benefit† them that can cause schisms and conflicts within their work, co-workers and even in their own family. They sometimes become insensitive and disregarded the right values and morals that were inculcated by their parents when they were still young in order to satisfy their selfish desires; thus, they sacrifice the welfare of their family and friends in order to meet their own desires. If an employee has conflicts with his boss, there is a tendency that he will not follow on his boss’ instructions that might be the ground of his termination. If a conflict happens within his co-workers, he might gossip about his co-workers whereabouts. But if there is conflict within the family, members within have always tension. Conflicts can bring disunity. Disunity can bring chaos and chaos can bring divisions. In the workplace, conflicts among the employees are not new. One scenario that can create conflict within the workplace is when somebody is promoted to a greater position and when you know that you are ahead of that person. Jealousy starts to creep in your heart and you feel inferior. This might lead to bitterness. On the other hand, conflicts within the family is one of the most dreadful things may happen to a person. Family can be disunited if conflict arises. Moreover, to a social psychologist, a conflict is a seemingly incompatibility of actions, goals, of ideas. The elements of conflict are much the same at all levels, from nations in an arms race to cultural disputes within a society to individuals in marital strife. In each situation, people become enmeshed in a destructive social process that produces results no one wants. Among these destructive processes are social traps and distorted perceptions (Dawes, 2000). Reference: 1. Dawes, R. M. (2000). Social Dilemmas. Annual Review of Psychology, 31 169-193.

The pros and cons of technology and the effects it has on managers.

The pros and cons of technology and the effects it has on managers. 1. How has technology changed the manager's job over the past 20 years? Discuss the pros and cons of technology. Please be specific and give examples.There are two different views on technology. Some say that technology has caused harm to their lives, and others have reward technology with making their lives much easier. None the less technology has changed the manager's job over the past twenty years.Technology has accounted for improvements in aerospace, telecommunications, hardware, software, and transportation. Information technology is one of the major improvements in technology over the past twenty years. With these improvements come crimes. A survey of five hundred and sixty-three firms claims that seventy-five percent of these firms have reported financial loss due to security breaches. The FBI estimates that this kind of theft cost US industries two hundred and fifty billion a year. This changes the role of the manager's job. Now a manager has to deal with information securi ty.The manager has to take into account the concern for security percentages. The manager had to be able to determine the security requirements for an organization. The manager has to determine confidentiality, integrity, availability, auditablity and authenticity.Another great improvement derived from technology is electronic commerce. Electronic commerce opens up new markets. It eliminates intermediaries, minimizes cost, and provides a world wide market place. However electronic commerce couldn't take place without the Internet. Both of these improvements drastically change the manager's job. These improvements make the manager's job easier. However it also leaves the manager with more responsibilities. The manager now has to deal with electronic treats. This includes unauthorized access, password stealing, and many more.With the Internet came Intranets and Extranets. Intranets allow a company to communicate with each other inside the organization. An extranet combines internal an d external communications.

The Battle of the Falkland Islands - World War I

The Battle of the Falkland Islands - World War I The Battle of the Falklands was fought during World War I (1914-1918).  The squadrons engaged on December 8, 1914, off the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.  Following his stunning victory over the British at the Battle of Coronel on November 1, 1914, Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee turned the German East Asia Squadron for Valparaiso, Chile. Entering port, von Spee was compelled by international law to leave after twenty-four hours and first moved to Mas Afuera before heading to Bahia San Quintin. Assessing his squadrons situation, von Spee found that half his ammunition was expended and that coal was in short supply. Turning south, the East Asia Squadron set a course around Cape Horn and made for Germany. British Commanders Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee2 battlecruisers3 armored cruisers2 light cruisers German Commanders Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee2 armored cruisers3 light cruisers Forces in Movement Pausing at Picton Island off Tierra del Fuego, von Spee distributed coal and allowed his men to go ashore to hunt. Departing Picton with the armored cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau, the light cruisers SMS Dresden, SMS Leipzig, and SMS Nurnburg, and three merchant ships, von Spee planned to raid the British base at Port Stanley in the Falklands as he moved north. In Britain, the defeat at Coronel led to a rapid response as First Sea Lord Sir John Fisher assembled a squadron centered on the battlecruisers HMS Invincible and HMS Inflexible to deal with von Spee. Rendezvousing at the Abrolhos Rocks, the British squadron was led by a rival of Fishers, Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee, and consisted of the two battlecruisers, the armored cruisers HMS Carnarvon, HMS Cornwall and HMS Kent, and the light cruisers HMS Bristol and HMS Glasgow. Sailing for the Falklands, they arrived on December 7 and entered the harbor at Port Stanley. While the squadron stood down for repairs, the armed merchant cruiser Macedonia patrolled the harbor. Further support was provided by the old battleship HMS Canopus which had been grounded in the harbor for use as a gun battery. von Spee Destroyed Arriving the next morning, Spee sent Gneisenau and Nurnberg to scout the harbor. As they approached they were surprised by fire from Canopus which was largely hidden from view by a hill. Had Spee pressed his attack at this point, he may have scored a victory as Sturdees ships were cooling and ill-prepared for battle. Rather, realizing he was badly out-gunned, von Spee broke off and headed for open water around 10:00 AM. Dispatching Kent to track the Germans, Sturdee ordered his ships to raise steam and set out in pursuit. Though von Spee had a 15-mile head start, Sturdee was able to use his battlecruisers superior speed to run down the tired German ships. Around 1:00, the British opened fire on Leipzig at the end of the German line. Twenty minutes later, von Spee, realizing he could not escape, turned to engage the British with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the hope of giving his light cruisers time to flee. Taking advantage of the wind, which caused the funnel smoke from the British ships to obscure the Germans, von Spee succeeded in striking Invincible. Though hit several times, the damage was light due to the ships heavy armor. Turning away, von Spee again attempted to escape. Detaching three of his cruisers to pursue Nurnberg and Leipzig, Sturdee pressed the attack on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Firing full broadsides, the battlecruisers pummeled the two German ships. In an attempt to fight back, von Spee tried to close the range, but to no avail. Scharnhorst was put out of action and sank at 4:17, with von Spee aboard. Gneisenau followed a short time later and sank at 6:02. While the heavy ships were engaging, Kent succeeded in running down and destroying Nurnberg, while Cornwall and Glasgow finished off Leipzig. Aftermath of the Battle As the firing ceased, only Dresden succeeded in escaping from the area. The light cruiser evaded the British for three months before finally surrendering off the Juan Fernndez Islands on March 14, 1915. For the crew of Glasgow, one of the few surviving British ships that had fought at Coronel, the victory at the Falklands was particularly sweet. With the destruction of von Spees East Asia Squadron, commerce raiding by warships of the Kaiserliche Marine was effectively ended. In the fighting, Sturdees squadron suffered ten killed and 19 wounded. For von Spee, casualties numbered 1,817 killed, including the admiral and his two sons, as well as the loss of four ships. In addition, 215 German sailors (mostly from Gneisenau) were rescued and taken prisoner. Sources World War I Naval Combat: Battle of the FalklandsFirst World War: Battle of the FalklandsHistory of War: Battle of the Falklands

Divorce and Its effect on children Research Paper

Divorce and Its effect on children - Research Paper Example Other challenges worth mentioning is the fact that children develop behavioral changes after the separation of their parents since there is always no balance or stability of relationship between the parents as the ones who are supposed to guide the children throughout their lives. When couples divorce, their children lose stability, comfort, and support that always come from the parents (Fagan, and Aaron 11). The result is that the decision leaves some children to fend for themselves making them assume responsibilities that bar them from interacting with their peers. Though in the developed countries children only suffer psychological impacts of divorce, the situation is worse in middle and low-income populations where departure of parents imply that the children will look for livelihood on their own. Divorce is arguably responsible for mental torture as it affects emotions of the children. Children will develop violent behaviors owing to depression and stress of leaving without their parents. In this case, children alienate themselves from their peers fearing that they might be scolded for living without their parents. On the other hand, divorce leaves a lasting impression on the child and forms the basis for their future behaviors. If, for example, the pare nts divorced because of violence, their children may become accustomed to it and perceive violence as a regular occurrence in the society and will subject their future spouses to domestic violence. Most importantly, divorce is responsible for the evils that befall teenagers in the modern society (Fagan, and Aaron 12). Divorce first weakens the existing bond between parents and their children thus leaving the young ones to make personal decisions at tender ages. In this case, children will look for others for attention and might sometimes end up in the wrong company.

National Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

National Security - Essay Example According to the discussion findings the term terrorism is politically and psychologically charged, and this to a great extent compounds the complicatedness of providing an accurate definition. In 1988, one study by the US Army established that over hundred definitions of the utterance terrorism have been used. A person who applies terrorism is a terrorist. The idea of terrorism is itself contentious for the reason that it is frequently used by states to delegitimise political adversary, and hence legitimize the state's own employ of terror adjacent to those opponents. As the paper declares terrorism has been second-hand by a wide array of political organizations in getting more to their objectives; together right and left-wing political parties, patriotic, and holy groups, innovative and ruling governments. The occurrence of non-state performers in widespread-armed clash has created hullabaloo regarding the submission of the laws of war. Despite the fact that acts of terror campaign are criminal acts as for each the United Nations Security Council Resolution and domestic jurisprudence of approximately all countries in the world, terrorism refers to an observable fact including the definite acts, the perpetrators of acts of bombing and their intentions. Terror is from a Latin word that means ‘to frighten’. The terror was a panic and condition of emergency in Rome in reaction to the approach of warriors of the tribe of Cimbri in 105BC. The Jacobins cited this approach when he imposed a Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. The w ord terrorist became a word of abuse after the Jacobins lost power. Even though the Reign of Terror was being imposed by a government, in modern times terrorism normally is referred to the killing of innocent people by a group in such a manner as to manufacture a media spectacle. In 1869Nechayev made the Russian terrorist group People's Retribution. A United Nations Security Council report stated in November 2004: 'Terrorism as any act intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act'. History of Terrorism The word "terrorism" was at first used to explain the actions of the Jacobin Club throughout the "Reign of Terror" in the French revolt. Edmund Burke criticized the Jacobins for letting thousands of persons hell hounds called terrorists movable upon the people of France in 1795. Italian patriot Felice Orsini heaves three bombs in an attempt to assassinate French Emperor Napoleon III in January 1858. Eight eyewitnesses were killed and 142 injured. The event played a vital role as an encouragement for the expansion of the early Russian terrorist

Improvement of Writing in the English Course Essay

Improvement of Writing in the English Course - Essay Example   The first aspect of improvement was noted was with regards to use and misuse of certain types of observation. For instance, many of the sentences that were exhibited in the essay in question showed no sign appropriate modulation for defendant and the clauses. This is, of course, a problem due to the fact that without proper punctuation for longer sentences, a danger of run-on sentences is created. Moreover, without clear punctuation on the sentences, it was possible for the reader to become lost in this the main point of what was being stated. A further issue was noted with regards to the way in which, as were used. This was probably partly out of fear that they would be used incorrectly if used at all; however, without utilizing proper comments within the paper, the flow and main points they were attempting to be related to the reader were almost invariably lost. Although these two aspects of punctuation with the most common, there was also the technical problem exhibited on mor e than one occasion of the subject for agreement. This is, of course, an issue that many non-native speakers struggle to exhibit in their work; yet, it is something that I found is been greatly improved during this particular course. More than merely gaining a better understanding of what birds should be used in what way with which subjects, the better identification of how this course is helped educate me is with regards to the fact of how I am almost nearly always aware of the fact that I need to focus upon this aspect of writing.... of what birds should be used in what way with which subjects, the better identification of how this course is helped educate me is with regards to the fact of how I am almost nearly always aware of the fact that I need to focus upon this aspects of writing. From the non-technical standpoint, the writing in the previous essay exhibited a clear lack of flow and organization. It is easy to argue that one of the most important aspects of any essay is not linked nor the level of language that is use; rather, it is the ability to assist sinks we and clearly state what the main points are and relate them in an organized and coherent manner. This is does not mean to say that the essay was completely disorganized or without any sense. Instead, what was noted after a careful review of the essay was the fact that it oftentimes displayed a wondering style and did not adhere to the points of the thesis topics of each and every paragraph. Instead, additional information that was somewhat tangentia lly related to the subject matter was oftentimes included as an aside. More than merely being distracting, this practice led to the essay losing overall coherence and not being able to express itself adequately to the reader. As a means of correcting such a practice, I’ve come to the realization that it is absolutely necessary to outline each and every essay prior to writing and be forever mindful of topic sentence and thesis sentence for each and every paragraph. This helps the writer as a means of staying on point and fully developing the ideas at hand rather than rushing on to new and unrelated information. Another aspect of the students writing that is greatly benefited from the English course is with regards to the level of broad and otherwise unsubstantiated statements that were