Group Project

 

A common task in healthcare involves a team assessing how changing regulations, mandates, or market conditions will impact an organization.  At times, the very survival of the entity depends on this analysis.  Each student will be assigned to a team and tasked with working together to develop a presentation on the following topic:

Since the 2016 presidential election, there have been multiple changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  What are they and how have they impacted healthcare access, cost, and quality?

Questions to be addressed in your research include:

·                  What is the status of those who were newly covered?

·                  What are exchanges and how are different States approaching them?

·                  What does the Medicaid program have to do with the ACA?

·                  How have health insurance premiums been affected?

·                  What variables are in play in the political debate over the impact of the ACA on cost, access, and quality of care?

·                  What are some of the key challenges facing state and national policymakers given the current status?

·                  On balance, has the ACA been a good or bad law?  Provide a clear, fact-based, non-emotional justification for your conclusion.

On balance, is the ACA a good or bad law? Provide a clear, fact-based, non-emotional justification for your conclusion.

Instructions:

Team projects occur in almost all health care worksites. This project encourages student-to-student interaction, the use of technology, and learning. You will be assigned to a team by the beginning of Week 2. 

Your project will take the form of a 10 – 15-minute multimedia presentation. You will publish your presentation to an Internet site (like Google, YouTube or your own website) and post the link to the project in the Group Presentation Assignment folder. Your presentation may contain: a PowerPoint Slideshow, a website, a video… the choice is yours. Be as creative as you can. An associated transcript with all the references is required. 

Here are some suggestions for creating and posting your project:

If you are into videos and YouTube, you likely already know how to create a video and post it to YouTube. Mac computers come with iMovie and PCs come with MovieMaker; both are easy to use tools for editing video. You can use a video camera to record your presentation. You don’t need anything fancy; the webcam on your laptop or even your phone will record video appropriate for this project. You could use a screen capture software to record the screen activities of your laptop. Quicktime Pro and Camtasia are solutions you can use for screen capture. Once downloaded and running on your machine, they allow you to record screen activity and save that recording as a movie file. There are many screen capture options available and some of them are either free or come with a free 30-day trial. Here is a web article that reviews 17 different free solutions for capturing your screen. Recording a video with either a camera or screen capture, then editing it with iMovie or MovieMaker is what I would suggest. 

Another free screen capture program, not listed at the link above, is Easyvid:  http://www.ezvid.com/.  It is well worth a look.

If you are not familiar with any of this, you can use PowerPoint to make a movie. Simply produce a slideshow in PowerPoint and record narration/timing in the slideshow settings. When you save the file, save it “as a movie”. This will create your movie file.

Uploading your presentation to YouTube is also fairly simple. If you do not have a YouTube account, it is free and simple to set up. All you need is an email address. In fact, if you have a Gmail account, you already have a YouTube account. Go to Youtube.com and register for a free account. Once you sign in, there will be an “Upload” button at the center top of your screen. Click upload and locate the movie file you saved. Be sure, in your YouTube settings, to make the movie either “Public” or “Unlisted”… No one but you will be able to see a movie that is set to “Private”. Once the movie is uploaded, navigate to it and copy the link in the address bar. Post the link to your presentation in the Team Presentation folder.

If you have trouble with any of this, there are many videos on YouTube and other tutorials on the Internet that will give you great ideas. Have fun with this assignment and be creative. You are not limited to just making a movie and posting it to YouTube. You may want to try an interesting presentation tool called Prezi. This tool allows you to create very fun, interesting, online presentations. You can even invite collaborators to create your Prezis with you. Check out the site and I encourage you to look for new and different ways to present your ideas. You can give your 10 – 15-minute presentation in any creative way you can think of.

Informal Fallacies

Due: Sunday night at 11:59pm Mountain Time

In this assignment, you will identify argument and fallacy forms.

Step 1: Consider the scenario:

Scientists from the Coalition of Concerned Scientists claim that fresh water is going to be the scarcest resource on the planet in 50 years. This claim, though alarming, is based only on a single study performed in the Appalachian Mountains over a span of 10 years. The study involved testing the percentage and availability of fresh, drinkable water along the mountain range once every April for 10 years. The study has many citizens concerned this could mark the beginning of a slippery slope, and many are beginning to think irrationally about how to maintain an abundance of clean water. As a well-respected environmental blogger, many have come to you looking for answers, and while you may not have the solutions they want, you do believe you can prove that the Coalition of Concerned Scientists study is riddled with fallacies.

Step 2: Examine the presence of fallacy.

Create content for a two to three-page (minimum) blog entry aimed at easing the anxiety of your readership, address the following statements:

  • What type of argument is being presented? How does that differ or coincide with the fallacy form?
  • What fallacy or fallacies are present in the Coalition of Concerned Scientists’ claim? What are the ramifications of the fallacy or fallacies within this scenario?
  • By what criteria can you distinguish between arguments and fallacies? In the case of the Coalition of Concerned Scientists study, what improvements would transform this into a viable argument?
  • Are there any logical fallacies present in the scenario? If so, explain. How can you discern logical fallacies within an argument?

Step 3: When you have completed your assignment, save a copy for yourself in an easily accessible place.

Cite any sources in APA format.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties

You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire.

Decisions are often not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice.

To Prepare:

  • Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.

By Day 3 of Week 10

Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member. ( Make sure to include at least 4 paragraphs and 3 references) APA 7 format.

By Day 6 of Week 10

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by sharing your thoughts on their specialty, supporting their choice or offering suggestions if they have yet to choose.

The two discussions below require at least 3 paragraphs and 2 references.APA 7 format.

Discussion one for ELIZABETH

I had never planned on advancing my education.  I love being a nurse and love the job I am in.  I have been afforded many opportunities as a nurse, and hadn’t considered the full value of continuing my education until recently.  I have seen a tremendous shift in the way care is delivered, from reactionary to preventative, leaving a void in areas of chronic disease management.  I realize that to achieve my full potential, and to best serve the needs of my patients, it is imperative that I pursue my advanced degree with a concentration in family medicine.

I have always worked in a hospital, but more recently I have spent more time in our outpatient clinic.  I have always enjoyed the fast-paced nature of an intensive care unit, but really love more to manage patients less critically ill.  My patient population ranges in age from 18 to 78, so there are really a multitude of differing needs that arise.  Also, because of the complexity of their disease process, many defer to our clinic for primary treatment of all chronic conditions.  Because of this, I determined it would best serve these needs to receive training in all areas across the lifespan to best treat my patients.  There is also a great need for primary care providers in family medicine as there is more emphasis placed on preventative care (Nursejournal, 2020).  In order to keep myself relevant and marketable, should I choose to change jobs, having family medicine training will certainly be helpful.

There isn’t a specific professional organization for family nurse practitioners, however, American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is a very comprehensive organization that covers all specialties.  There are sub-groups within the larger organization that allow the opportunity to network in a specific area.  There are different membership levels based on what point you are in your training (AANP, n.d.).  For instance, if I wanted to apply now, I would be eligible to join as a student member, but if I wait until I finish my degree I would be able to join as an NP.

In order to assure that I am providing excellent clinical care to my patients based on evidence based practice, I have joined as a member of a disease specific nursing organization, American Association of Heart Failure Nurses.  Although there isn’t a specific requirement for nurse practitioners, this organization will help tremendously to allow for brainstorming and networking within my field of practice.  There is also opportunity for mentorship within this organization to help with my transition from RN to NP (AAHFN, n.d.).

It can be intimidating to think about the road that lies ahead to APN, but it is equally important to realize the opportunities for guidance that exist.  We are lucky to have so many resources available to help us on our journey, as well as once we finish.  Knowing there is a plan and an end in sight will keep us strong on the road to success.

References

AAHFN. (n.d.). About AAHFN. Retrieved October 6, 2020, from https://www.aahfn.org/page/about

AANP. (n.d.). What’s my member type?  Retrieved October 6, 2020, from https://www.aanp.org/membership/whats-my-member-type

NurseJournal. (2020, June 3). 7 Future job trends for nurse practitioners. Retrieved October 6, 2020, from https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/7-future-job-trends-for-nurse-practitioners/

Discussion two GUERLINE

Since I have become a nurse, I knew that I wanted to continue my education as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). I was not sure of the specialty that I prefer to focus on. I have worked with many APRNs who have shared the ups and downs of their experiences. It only occurs to me that I want to become a psychiatry mental health nurse practitioner when I have family member that have been diagnosed with metal heath disease. I have felt helpless and hopeless where I cannot help my close family member in anyway. The disease of mental health had become such a myth and so difficult to grasp to a point where I realize I need to know more about this field as a nurse. I need to explore it, understand that population and help those that are suffering. 

Every nurse is a psychiatry nurse, because nurses take care of patient holistically. Center for disease control and prevention (CDC) report that “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.” (cdc.gov). About 50 %. Of American population has a diagnosis of mental health during their lifetime report CDC. Mental health is important in nursing. A personal definition of mental health is that it is a virtual world where not many can get in but where some get lost and cannot find their way out. Every time I start thinking of that situation it saddens me and makes me want to push forward to get the credential I need to reach out to those in need.

I have always been involved with organization at a local or national level, but I don’t think I have ever taken full advantage of them. American Society for Quality (ASQ) is one of a national professional organization that I have been involved with, its membership serves of quality professional education advancement which gives access to exclusive quality knowledge (asq.org). At a local level I have been involved with religious group and volunteer at committee board member. For my professional career as a Psychiatry mental health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I have found the American Psychiatry Nurses Association (APNA) that offers very low membership cost for full time students as low as 25 dollars a year (apana.org). I am thrilled to find that information and will join them in the near future once I get all requirements (proof of full time student, name of my school, name of the director of my school, expected graduation date). APNA offers continuing education and professional growth, networking and information access and many discounts (apna.org). My goal is to work toward becoming a member of that professional organization.

References

Data and Publications – Mental Health – CDC. (2018, January 26). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/data_publications/index.htm

Mental Health – Home Page – CDC. (2018, January 26). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

Why Join ASQ or ASQE? Value. (n.d.). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://asq.org/membership

Why Join? (n.d.). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3680

Health Care Policy Development

1.4 Participate in health care policy development to influence nursing practice and health care.

Research public health issues on the “Climate Change” or “Topics and Issues” pages of the American Public Health Association (APHA) website. Investigate a public health issue related to an environmental issue within the U.S. health care delivery system and examine its effect on a specific population.

Write a 750-1,000-word policy brief that summarizes the issue, explains the effect on the population, and proposes a solution to the issue.

Follow this outline when writing the policy brief:

  1. Describe the policy health issue. Include the following information: (a) what population is affected, (b) at what level does it occur (local, state, or national), and (c) evidence about the issues supported by resources.
  2. Create a problem statement.
  3. Provide suggestions for addressing the health issue caused by the current policy. Describe what steps are required to initiate policy change. Include necessary stakeholders (government officials, administrator) and budget or funding considerations, if applicable.
  4. Discuss the impact on the health care delivery system.

Include three peer-reviewed sources and two other sources to support the policy brief.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

ASSIGNMENT 6050 M-4

 

Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation

As their names imply, the honeyguide bird and the honey badger both share an affinity for honey. Honeyguide birds specialize in finding beehives but struggle to access the honey within. Honey badgers are well-equipped to raid beehives but cannot always find them. However, these two honey-loving species have learned to collaborate on an effective means to meet their objectives. The honeyguide bird guides honey badgers to newly discovered hives. Once the honey badger has ransacked the hive, the honey guide bird safely enters to enjoy the leftover honey.

Much like honeyguide birds and honey badgers, nurses and health professionals from other specialty areas can—and should—collaborate to design effective programs. Nurses bring specialties to the table that make them natural partners to professionals with different specialties. When nurses take the requisite leadership in becoming involved throughout the healthcare system, these partnerships can better design and deliver highly effective programs that meet objectives.

In this Assignment, you will practice this type of leadership by advocating for a healthcare program. Equally as important, you will advocate for a collaborative role of the nurse in the design and implementation of this program. To do this, assume you are preparing to be interviewed by a professional organization/publication regarding your thoughts on the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Resources and reflect on your thinking regarding the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.
  • Select a healthcare program within your practice and consider the design and implementation of this program.
  • Reflect on advocacy efforts and the role of the nurse in relation to healthcare program design and implementation.

The Assignment: (2–4 pages)

In a 2- to 4-page paper, create an interview transcript of your responses to the following interview questions:

  • Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?
  • Who is your target population?
  • What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?
  • What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?
  • What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?
  • Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?