What Are the US Military Colleges Should You Go

What Are the US Military Colleges Should You Go SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips For those students who aspire to get military training and earn a college degree, there are a number of colleges in the United States that are designed for you to pursue your military and educational goals simultaneously. There are three primary types of US military colleges: service academies, Senior Military Colleges, and Military Junior Colleges. In this article, I'll describe each type of military college and explain the differences between them. Furthermore, I'll help you determine which type of college may be best for you. What Are US Military Colleges? Military colleges offer a combination of military instruction and higher education. Attending a military college can giveyou the opportunity to get a college education and a military job after getting your degree; some military colleges even require you to serve in the military after graduation. As I mentioned above, military colleges can be separated into service academies, Senior Military Colleges, and Military Junior Colleges. The 5 US Service Academies The service academies are a great option for students who know they want to pursue a college education and serve in the military. There are five Service Academies, each dedicated to a different branch of the armed services: US Military Academy(West Point, NY) US Naval Academy(Annapolis, MD) US Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO) US Coast Guard Academy(New London, CT) US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY) Graduates of the service academies receive a Bachelor of Science, are commissioned as officers in their branch, and are required to serve for a minimum of five years after graduation. Getting In to the Service Academies The service academies are very selective schools, and all of the academies, except the Coast Guard, require a congressional letter of recommendation to gain admission. Students also have to submittypical requirements ofa college application (application, transcript, test scores, recommendations, and college essay), applicants to the service academies have to pass a medical exam and take a fitness assessment. The Air Force Academy and Naval Academy require interviews as well. You’ll primarily be evaluated on your high school academic performance, test scores, and extracurricular achievement. The service academies are fond of students who have pursued leadership positions and shown a commitment to their communities. Also, they appreciate students who have excelled athletically and have obtained awards and leadership positions on their sports teams. Cost Financially, the service academies are undoubtedly an incredible deal. Tuition, books, board, medical, and dental care are fully paid for all four years. Additionally, you receive a monthly stipend to cover living expenses and pay for miscellaneous supplies. Service Academy Life In many respects, life for students at each of the military academies is very similar. The academies are known for being extremely strict, conservative, and requiring a great deal of discipline. Underclassmen, especially, have very little freedom. They're rarely allowed to leave campus, and there are harsh rules and punishments regarding drinking and drug use. Typically, service academy students have mandatory activities from around 6:00 AM-8:00 PM. Then, they start studying and doing homework. Furthermore, they only get a few weeks of summer vacation as opposed to the three months students get at regular colleges. Service academy students don’t get much freedom or free time, but they tend to get a great education, a unique bonding experience with their peers, and many future opportunities. In fact, Navy, Army, and Air Force placed in the top 15 of Payscale's best universities and colleges by salary potential. The academies also emphasize athletics. Students have to participate in varsity or intramural sports, and students are required to attend home football games. The major differences between the academies arerelated to their locations and the respective branches they’re preparing you to serve in. Also, Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine Academy are much smaller than the other three academies. Now, I’ll provide an overview of each of the academies to give you an idea of what makes each one unique and what you’ll have to do to get admitted. As part of each description,I summarized student reviews that come from Niche, a website that ranks and reviews schools. Army commencement (The U.S. Army/Flickr) US Military Academy Also known as Army or West Point, the US Military Academy was founded in 1802 and trains cadets to become Army officers. It’s located in West Point, NY, which is about 50 miles from New York City. Fast Facts Location: West Point, NY Undergraduate enrollment: 4,389 Acceptance rate: 9% Average GPA: 3.74 Average SAT: 1272 Average ACT: 29 US News ranking: #12 National Liberal Arts Colleges Student Perspectives Students acknowledge that life for cadets is extremely stressful and busy, but many are grateful for their student experiences and that they're getting superb training for military careers. Also, they're appreciative of the friendships they've made during their time at West Point. On the negative side, some lament their decision to go there because of the lack of freedom and draconian rules. US Naval Academy US Naval Academy students are trained to become officers in the Navy and Marine Corps. Naval Academy students are on active duty in the US Navy. The Academy is located in Annapolis, MD, where the Severn River flows into the ChesapeakeBay. It’s about an hour from Washington, DC. Fast Facts Location: Annapolis, MD Undergraduate enrollment: 4,526 Acceptance rate: 8% Average GPA: 3.86 Average SAT: 1360 Average ACT: 29 US News ranking: #21 National Liberal Arts Colleges Student Perspectives Many Naval Academy students enjoy the challenges that service academy life poses and the education they receive at Navy. They also tout the bonds they form with their peers, and they're grateful for the financial benefits and summer trainingthey have an opportunity to receive. However, some believe that the monotony and rigor of daily life can extinguish their passions and wear them down. It's a Naval Academy wedding. (Lawrence OP/Flickr) US Air Force Academy The Air Force Academy trains cadets to become officers in the Air Force. The Academy is located in Colorado Springs, CO. Fast Facts Location: Colorado Springs, CO Undergraduate enrollment: 4,237 Acceptance rate: 12% Average GPA: 3.83 Average SAT: 1314 Average ACT: 30 US News ranking: #26 National Liberal Arts Colleges Student Perspectives The students comment on the harsh rules and how it can be hard to adjust to the challenges if you're not from a military background. Many appreciate the bonds they've made and their teachers, but they seem to be looking forward more to the advantages they'll get as graduates of Air Force than enjoying their time there. US Coast Guard Academy The Coast Guard is the smallest of the service academies. Graduates become officers in the Coast Guard. It’s located in New London, CT, which is about two hours from Boston and New York City. Fast Facts Location: New London, CT Undergraduate enrollment: 988 Acceptance rate: 16% Average GPA: 3.92 Average SAT: 1882 Average ACT: 28 US News ranking: #2 Regional Colleges (North) Student Perspectives Students believe it's hard to fulfill all of their obligations and try to have a social life. However, they appreciate the education and future opportunities they're being given. Furthermore, they're complimentary of their teachers. Coast Guard fun (US Coast Guard Academy/Flickr) US Merchant Marine Academy The US Merchant Marine Academy graduates licensed Merchant Marine Officers. The Merchant Marine is a fleet of ships that carries imports and exports during peacetime, and it becomes a naval auxiliary during times of war. The Academy is located in Kings Point, NY, about 20 miles east of New York City. Fast Facts Location: Kings Point, NY Undergraduate enrollment: 923 Acceptance rate: 15% Average GPA: 3.6 Average SAT: 1268 Average ACT: 28 US News ranking: #3 Regional Colleges (North) Student Perspectives Again, students here acknowledge the rigors of service academy life. They accept that they have more responsibilities and are busier than regular college students. One unique component of the Merchant Marine Academy that students praised is Sea Year, which is a program during their sophomore and junior years when they train on vessels and get to travel the world. Senior Military Colleges Senior military colleges give students the option to pursue military training while they’re in college. There are six military colleges: Texas AM Norwich University Virginia Military Institute The Citadel Virginia Tech University of North Georgia Additionally, the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin College has an affiliated program. At The Citadel and Virginia Military Institute, all students must become cadets, which means they’re part of the military training program. At the other colleges, students can be regular civilian students or join the Corps of Cadets. Those who become cadets have a similar schedule and experience as students at the service academies. They have to keep to a strict schedule, have similar rules, and must undergo physical and military training. Every cadet must enter the Corps of Cadets and the Reserve Officer Training Corps. At SMCs, cadets live in their own dorms and by a different set of rules, whichROTC students at traditional four-year colleges aren't subject to. Unlike the service academies, at Senior Military Colleges, there is no service requirement after graduation unless you receive an ROTC scholarship. Members of the Texas AM Corps of Cadets get to rock these boots. (bk1bennett/Flickr) Getting Into Senior Military Colleges Generally, when applying to SMCs, you have to submit an application, personal essay, transcript, and standardized test scores. You’ll be evaluated on your academic performance and extracurricular achievements. The selectivity of the SMCs varies, but generally, if you meet their average GPA and standardized test scores, you have a good chance of getting accepted. Virginia Tech has an average GPA of 3.66, an average ACT score of 27, and accepts 70% of applicants. The Citadel has an average GPA of 3.5, an average ACT score of 23, and accepts 80% of applicants. SMCs that give you the option whether or not to join the Corps of Cadets have different application procedures. At Texas AM, you have to be accepted to the university as a regular student before you join the Corps of Cadets. At Virginia Tech, you indicate on your application if you’re intending to join the Corps. However, if you end up deciding not to join after stating your intention to do so, your application will be reevaluated. Cost Also, a big difference between the service academies and senior military colleges is that you don’t receive the financial benefits of the academies or get a full-ride scholarship for attending an SMC. For the 2017-2018 school year, The University of North Georgia was roughly $20,000 annually for cadets. At Virginia Tech, the cost for in-state students was also about $23,000, but it was about $40,000 for out-of-state students. However, there are grants and ROTC scholarships available to cadets. Additionally, you can apply for need-based financial aid. Military Junior Colleges Military Junior Colleges are two-year colleges that allow cadets to become commissioned officers in the Army Reserves through the Early Commissioning Program after finishing the program. At the completion of the program, students will also receive an associate degree. The students must still go on to get a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college to serve as a regular officer in active duty. However, while students are getting their four-year degrees, they can serve as reserve officers to help advance their military careers. Some Military Junior Colleges offer other programs in addition to the Early Commissioning Program like the Service Academy Preparation Program, which offers students one year of preparation to transfer to a service academy. Other schools will offer two years of a cadet/ROTC program independent of an Early Commissioning Program. There are five Military Junior Colleges in the US: Wentworth Military Academy Valley Forge Military Academy and College Marion Military Institute New Mexico Military Institute Georgia Military College Getting Into Military Junior Colleges Military Junior Colleges require you to submit an application, your high school transcript, and some require SAT/ACT scores. Even those schools that don’t require standardized test scores may use them for placement purposes. If you want to enter an Early Commissioning Program, there are minimum GPA and SAT/ACT requirements that vary by school. If you have a 2.5 GPA and a 920 SAT score or a 19 ACT score, you’ll meet the minimum requirements for all of the programs. Additionally, for an ECP, you need to pass a medical exam, the Army Physical Fitness Test, and you must complete military training after high school. You can do Cadet Initial Entry Training in the summer after high school before enrolling in the ECP. Cost The costs of Military Junior Colleges vary. At Wentworth Military Academy, a private college, the full cost of attendance is over $32,000 annually. However, there are scholarships and grants available. For example, if you receive a Military Junior College Scholarship, you’ll have full tuition and fees paid, and you’ll receive money for books, your uniform, and a monthly stipend. Additionally, Wentworth will cover room and board costs. New Mexico Military Institute, a state-funded college, costs about $20,000 for in-state students. Again, there are numerous scholarship opportunities and you can apply for financial aid. Is a Military College Right for You? There are a number of factors to consider before you commit to attending a military college as opposed to going to a regular college. Most importantly, how motivated are you to get military training and serve in the military? If you're not fully enthusiastic about serving, you should think twice before deciding to attend a school that requires you to spend years serving in the military after you graduate. Also, can you handle the incredibly structured and disciplined environment of military colleges? Do you need more free time and a laid back environment, or are you excited by the thought of getting pushed physically and academically? Do you want to feel the unique camaraderie you'll experience with fellow cadets? Personally, I briefly considered attending West Point. I was recruited by Army for gymnastics, and when the coach called me and sold the academy to me, I was intrigued. The financial and potential professional benefits of going to Army sounded great. However, I hadn't ever considered joining the military previously and I was hesitant to commit to the five years after graduating. Also, I didn't think I would thrive in such a strict environment; I wanted more freedom to pursue my varied interests. How to Choose Which Type of College Is Right for You If you’re interested in military training and getting a college education, you have a number of choices. On top of the service academies, Senior Military Colleges, and Military Junior Colleges, you can join an ROTC at another college or join a cadet program at some maritime colleges. There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which type of school you want to attend: How committed are you to pursuing a career in the military? If you're completely sure that you want to serve in the military after college, then the service academies may be a good option for you. If you're interested in military training but haven't fully committed to a military career, then perhaps a Senior Military College would be better for you. Do you want to be around civilian students or immerse yourself in a military environment with other cadets? If you want the balance of feeling like a normal college student and get military training, then joining an ROTC program at a traditional college is probably your best option. If you want to be in an environment that is completely dedicated to preparing you to serve as a military officer and share that experience with your peers, then you may want to attend a service academy. If you mostly want the military training experience but still want some exposure to regular college students, then maybe you should consider one of the SMCs that has non-cadet students. If you want a cadet experience and a regular college experience, you can go to a Military Junior College and then transfer to a 4-year college. Are you a competitive applicant? It's very difficult to get into the service academies. If you don't have excellent grades and test scores, you may not be able to secure a nomination or get into one of the academies. If you're not close to the average GPA or test scores for the academies, you may want to consider one of the less selective SMCs. Another option is to go to a Military Junior College, where you can join an Early Commissioning Program, or you can do a Service Academy Preparation Program if you're determined to go to a service academy. How do finances affect your decision? Hopefully, finances won't play too much of a role in your decision, but money is almost always a factor. Without grants or scholarships, the service academies offer the best financial deal by far. However, with financial aid, you may be able to get a comparable situation at a Senior Military College or a Junior Military College. How to Select a College On top of the type of school you decide to attend, it's important to select the specific college that's the best fit for you. Learn how to choose a college. Also, make sure you do ample college research before you apply. Some factors to consider as you’re doing your research are the location, undergraduate enrollment, selectivity, academic programs, and on-campus culture of the schools. You can use college websites, finders, guidebooks, ranking lists, and search websites to help with your research. Additionally, you may want to consult with counselors, teachers, current students, and alumni to help you with your college decision. What's Next? As you're navigating your way through the college selection process, learn how much it matters where you go to college. Also, you need to figure out where in the US you should go to college. Finally, you should check out this article for helpful advice about which colleges you should apply to. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Managing Finance & Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Managing Finance & Decision Making - Essay Example The retail sector is expected to show growth in all the categories and sub-divisions: electrical, groceries, clothing and footwear, cosmetics, home-ware, floor coverings and furniture, gardening as well as e-retail, in the coming years. (Tesco, 2010) The grocery and the e-retail will be the most important divisions in the coming years. According to British Retail Consortium, the sector sales in the country amounted to GBP 293 billion in 2010. The retail companies based in the United Kingdom provides services to millions of people around the globe leading in grocery, clothing, and home-ware. This sector supplies employment to 11 percent of the total workforce in the country: employing around 3 million people. It contributes 8 percent to the country’s GDP and accounts to be a major part of the country’s exchequer. (Invest in UK, 2010) The retail sector in the United Kingdom is oversaturated with the a small number of big players controlling the market. According to Britis h Retail Consortium, there were 286,680 retail outlets in the country as of 2010. According to a research performed by the TNS Kantar Worldpanel, the three major players of the retail industry in the United Kingdom, with respect to market share, are: Tesco with 30.5 percent Sainsbury with 16.6 percent ASDA with 16.5 percent 1 Despite the setbacks in the economy: rising prices, fuel costs, spending cuts, the investors look forward to strong growth and positive sales growth in the retailing. They expect the economy to heal itself in the coming months and realize its true potential. Tesco A global merchandising and grocery store based in the United Kingdom leads the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets group. The brand is the largest within the boundaries of the country with a market share of 31 percent and the third largest in the global market with respect to sales revenue. The company operates in 14 different countries through 4,811 different types of stores. It provides everything under one roof: from grocery to appliances, clothing to shoes, tires to gardening tools as well as home wares. (Tesco, 2010) Tesco plans to invest GBP 27 million to reduce its carbon footprint by 2020. â€Å"At Tesco, we care about the environment and want to lead the way in preparing for a low carbon future. We are now ready to unveil the scale of our plans to use Combined Heat and Power to cut our carbon footprint2.† The brand is ranked as the second largest in the world with respect to profits. The brand in the fiscal year 2010 showed strong growth: sales showed an increase by 6.8 percent whereas it’s pre-tax profit increased by 10 percent. Therefore, the financial gurus believe that the company has now transformed itself into a fully globally diversified business and is en route to strong future growth. (Tesco, 2010) Sainsbury J Sainsbury, with a market share of 16.6 percent, is ranked as the second largest retailer in the United Kingdom. The company provides an en ormous assortment of goods and services under one roof to its 19 million customers through the 872 stores spread across the country. The products range from grocery to appliances, tires to gardening, clothing to cosmetics as well as furniture. (Sainsbury, 2010) Sainsbury has become one of the pioneers of dedication. It has planned to invest GBP 40 million into the sustainable farming over the period of next three years that will allow the farmers to augment their productivity and

Leonardo da Vinci Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Leonardo da Vinci - Research Paper Example dia Britannica. 2011). His unlimited desire for knowledge drove him beyond painting. Powered by his superb intellect, keen sense of observation, and mastery of the art of drawing, he studied nature; a line of inquiry that allowed him to pursue dual art and science (Capra 2007). Life of Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci was born of the illegitimate relationship of a Florentine notary and landlord, Ser Piero, and a young peasant woman, Caterina (Bortolon 1967). That notwithstanding, Leonardo da Vinci, enjoyed the privileges of a legitimate son and grew up in his father’s estate and received the usual elementary education of those days: reading, writing, and arithmetic (Bortolon 1967). He did not exhibit any particular aptitude for Latin, the key language of traditional learning, and higher mathematic until later in his life. Due to his artistic inclination, which appeared early in life, he father apprenticed him to the renowned artist Andrea Del Verrocchio (Bortolon 1967). He received a multifaceted training that included painting and sculpture as well as the technical-mechanical arts in Andrea Del Verrocchio’s workshop. ... In 1482, Leonardo abandoned two painting projects, The Adoration of the Magi for the monastery of San Donato and an alter painting for the St Bernard Chapel, in Florence and moved to work for the duke of Milan, Duke Ludovico Sforza (Encyclop?dia Britannica. 2011). The prevailing strict academic atmosphere in Milan as well as the duke’s brilliant court and the meaningful project may have enticed him to Milan. Indeed, the 17 years spent in Milan were fruitful. He was highly esteemed as a painter and a sculptor. He completed six works in Milan among which was the famous painting, The Last Supper. He also had an extensive workshop in Milan where he had several apprentices. In addition, he served as a technical adviser in the fields of architecture, fortifications, and military matters, and he served as a hydraulic and mechanical engineer (Capra 2007). Following the victorious entry of the French into Milan, Leonardo left the city probably December 1499 or January 1500. He visited Mantua and Venice before returning to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, he was accorded a reception deserving of a renowned son. Leonardo devoted his stay in Florence to intensive scientific study (Capra 2007). That notwithstanding, he was still involved in painting. It was during this period, 1503 – 1506, that he painted Mona Lisa (Vezzosi 1997). Upon the invitation of the French governor in Milan, Charles d’ Amboise, Leonardo returned to Milan in May 1506. During his second stay in Milan, he did little work as a painter; rather, he worked as adviser in architectural matters. His scientific activities reached their zenith during this time. The expulsion of the French from Milan in 1513 led Leonardo

Empirical Formula of a Hydrate-CE Essay Example for Free

Empirical Formula of a Hydrate-CE Essay Conclusion and Evaluation: Aspect 1 Based on the interpreted data of group A, the empirical formula of aluminum chloride did not stay the same. The expected empirical formula was. In group A the empirical formulas are as followed Group Name Empirical formula Laurie Jordan Rica, Victoria Stephanie Vince Josh Jane Kaityln So, as a group, we all had a different outcome of the empirical formula but the percent composition of water is the same for all. 11.2% for hydrogen and 88. 8% for oxygen as shown in table #7.3. A random error would be the measurement of the hydrate crystal. A scoopula was used to measure 3g. Also another one would be the electronic balance having an uncertainty of à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.001g. A systematic error would be heating the evaporating dish through a wire mesh instead of a clay triangle. You notice that the theoretical yield and experimental yield values are shown in a pie graph. Both of the pie graphs are the exact same as both percentages are 11.2% and 88.8%. In these pie graphs, neither trends nor patterns apply. Aspect 2 The procedural weaknesses are stated above. For example the measurement of the hydrate crystal wouldve affected the lab. There wasnt an accurate measurement so that couldve affected the weight of the final product or the reaction of the product. Another weakness was that the evaporating dish was being heated through a wire mesh instead of a clay triangle. The wire mesh had a white coating on it, so therefore the evaporating dish was being heated indirectly and the wire mesh would absorb the heat itself. This would affect the heating process of the evaporating dish and the substance inside of it. There were a few assumptions made in this particular lab. They are as followed Assumption Possible effect on the result All of the moisture was removed from the evaporating dish If all the moisture wasnt removed, then an accurate and precise reaction isnt obtained. The aluminum chloride was pure If impure aluminum chloride was used then other products could have formed The only substance reacting with the aluminum chloride was itself as a hydrate form This could have had other reactions which therefore will affect the products formed. All of the aluminum chloride hydrate evaporated Could possibly effect the measurement of the weight 3g of aluminum chloride was added to the evaporating dish Obviously if there were less or more than 3g added, it will affect the outcome result The quality of the data was fair. The precision and accuracy of the aluminum was absent since it was measured by a scoopula and estimation. Although, the same balance was used to weigh all the masses, therefore the accuracy of those measurements were present with the exception of the uncertaintyà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.001g. Aspect 3 If this lab were to be redone, I think that everything should stay the same besides 2 factors which are the use of wire mesh and the measurement of the hydrate crystal. If we were to use a clay triangle instead of the wire mesh, the evaporating dish would have been directly heated instead of being indirectly heated. This would remove the systematic error. A better precision and accuracy would be obtained if we actually used a measuring device. For example, a measuring spoon wouldve been more accurate than the scoopula. Using the same balance for all masses would obtain greater control of variables and reduce the random error.

The Role of Women in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay -- Things

More than those of any other African writer, Chinua Achebe’s writings have helped to develop what is known as African literature today. And the single book which has helped him to launch his "revolution" is the classic, Things Fall Apart.   The focus of this essay includes: 1) Achebe's portraiture of women in his fictional universe, the existing sociocultural situation of the period he is depicting, and the factors in it that condition male attitudes towards women; 2) the consequences of the absence of a moderating female principle in his fictions; 3) Achebe's progressively changing attitude towards women s roles; and 4) feminist prospects for African women. In the context of this study, the Igbo people whom Achebe describes will represent the rest of Nigeria -- and a great many of the nations of Africa. Sociocultural Background Were Nigeria and Africa oppressively masculinist? The answer is, "Yes." Ghana was known to have some matrilineal societies, such as the Akans; but Nigeria's traditional culture, Muslim as well as non-Muslim, had been masculine-based even before the advent of the white man. The source, nature, and extent of female subordination and oppression have constituted a vexed problem in African literary debates. Writers such as Ama Ata Aidoo of Ghana and the late Flora Nwapa of Nigeria have insisted that the image of the helpless, dependent, unproductive African woman was one ushered in by European imperialists whose women lived that way. On the other hand, the Nigerian-born, expatriate writer Buchi Emecheta, along with other critics, maintains that African women were traditionally subordinated to sexist cultural mores. I ally myself to the latter camp. I believe that, in creating a masculine-based society, Ac... ...Function of Folk Tradition." Approaches To the African Novel: Essays in Analysis. London: Saros International, 1992. Nwapa, Flora.   Efuru.   London: Heinemann, 1966. ---.   Idu.   London: Heinemann, 1970. Ogunyemi, Chikwenye Okonjo.   "Women and Nigerian Literature." Perspectives on Nigerian Literature. Vol. 1.   Lagos, Nigeria: Guardian Books, 1988. Okonkwo, Juliet.   "The Talented Woman in African Literature." African Quarterly 15.1-2: pages. Rich, Adrienne.   Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution.   New York: Norton, 1976. Thiong o, Ngugi   wa.   Petals of Blood.   London: Heinemann, 1977. ---.   Devil on the Cross.   London: Heinemann, 1982.   Walker, Alice.   "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens." In Search of Our Mothers   Gardens: Womanist Prose. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1983.   231-243. Weinstock, Donald, and Cathy Ramadan.     

Quality Improvement Plan Final Essay

The journey of quality improvement is a responsibility of all those involved in patient care. At The Women’s Hospital (TWH) at Saint Joseph East (SJE) it was decided that a change in culture would be needed and focus was directed on decreasing the length of stay (LOS) for maternity patients. Quality process improvement is a formal approach to the analysis of performance and systematic efforts through a team approach to improve the outcomes for patients and staff (Spath, 2013). Types of Care The Women’s Hospital at SJE is a state-of-the-art free standing facility that provides exclusive care for the women of central and eastern Kentucky. Services include both high and low risk maternity care, a level three neonatal intensive care nursery, cardiology and rheumatology services, all exclusively specialized and conveniently under one roof for women. The mission of TWH is shared by the larger market based organization of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI). As part of the mission statement of CHI and TWH the goal is to â€Å"†¦create healthier communities†, this is done through culture changing quality improvement processes such as decreasing the LOS (Catholic Health Initiatives [CHI], 2014, para. 1). The Women’s Hospital welcomes the chance to collaborate with SJE and other hospitals within CHI to offer quality improvement data while supporting the mission of the organization. Role of Consumers Health care is a business just like any other, with customers that have a choice where to obtain services. The customer is just beginning to become an integral part in the quality improvement process for health care. At TWH the role the patient and family plays will help to shape a culture of improved safety and quality of care. Patients and families are engaged in the quality improvement process through patient surveys, bedside reporting, and direct observation through patient rounding by nursing management. The organization of TWH practices transparency and public methodology. Quality results are reported and available through websites supported by agencies such The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, The Joint Commission and  the Kentucky Hospital Engagement Network. To assist the consumer in partnering with TWH in quality improvement the websites for TWH offer links to resources to navigate the websites that provide the reported quality data. Three Quality Indicators The organization has both internal and external accountability to quality indicators. External quality indicators are used by government agencies, third party payers and consumers to define a quality hospital stay (Kelly, 2011). The external indicators relevant to consumers for TWH include; overall patient satisfaction with hospital stay, infection rates for surgeries and patient satisfaction with nursing care. Knowing patient satisfaction with an organization, for those that are seeking similar services will allow a consumer to know if they will be able to have the desired experience at TWH. When infection rates are reported to external agencies it allows consumers to make informed decisions as to the safety of the care provided by TWH and speaks to the transparency of the quality improvement programs. Lastly, since everyone in the hospital will have contact with a nurse, the reporting of patient satisfaction with nursing care will promote the compassionate nursing culture of care available at TWH. Monitoring and reporting quality indicators externally allows the organization to know if the customer’s interests are being properly served. Stakeholders and the QI Process The Women’s Hospital at SJE takes a proactive approach to quality improvement. This approach means including all stakeholder involved in patient care; patients, managers, administration, medical staff, health insurers, accrediting agencies, and the mission team. In addition to patient surveys and manager rounding, TWH has a quarterly community group that meets to listen to the needs of its members. This multidisciplinary team is comprised of executive team associates, nursing staff, medical staff, former patients, commercial insurance representatives and is open to anyone interested in the community. Information learned in these meetings is then taken back the perinatal quality committee and serves as direction for future efforts of quality improvement initiatives. Jointly working to improve the quality of care will create an environment of trust between TWH  and the community served. In conclusion, the responsibility of quality improvement is shared by all members of the health care team and includes the patient. Importance and relevance of quality indicators is influenced by internal and external factors. At The Women’s Hospital, efforts are made to incorporate the role of the consumer in improving the quality of care delivered and through collaboration achieve optimal outcomes for both patient and caregiver. References Catholic Health Initiatives. (2014). About Us. Retrieved from http://www.catholichealth.net/mission-and-vision Kelly, D. L. (2011). Applying quality management in healthcare-A systems approach (3rd ed.). Retrieved from the University of Phoenix eBook Collection Database. Spath, P. (2013). Introduction to healthcare quality management (2nd ed.). Retrieved from the University of Phoenix eBook Collection Database.

A Critical Discourse Analysis Framework Essay - 1077 Words

Methodology A critical discourse analysis framework News is manufactured industrially and deeply influenced by the bureaucratic and economic structure of the media industry, by relations between the media and other industries, and by relations with authoritative apparatuses and institutions such as government. It reflects the prevailing values of a society in a particular historical context and simultaneously shapes the society in return (Fowler, 1991/2013). Although we cannot simply suggest an explicit causal relation between structurally determined material and symbolic resources and the actual cultural practices, a pure linguistic analysis may still overlook the external constraints and the effects of the cultural practices. The embryo of cultural studies finds its roots in the historical context of a social structure shaped by industrial capitalism and the increasingly commercialized system of cultural production, distribution, and consumption. To some extent, the reference to power and struggle, domination and subordinations is the mantra to sustain and legitimatize the existing cultural studies literature (N. Graham, 1999). While avoiding the notion that Marxism and cultural studies form immediate affinity, cultural studies still has to establish itself as a ‘worldly’ vocation by coping with the tension between the study of the text and its affiliations with institutions, classes, nations, races, and genders, and etc. (Hall, 1999a). The representation of the HongShow MoreRelatedNew Caoleia Case Study997 Words   |  4 Pagesby a neo-imperialist agenda, but the standpoints advanced by the representatives of the main stakeholder groups involved in the plurilogical conflict between the French, Caldoche and Kanak communities were reconstructed from the perspective of a critical discussion between each of the protagonists and their audience, demonstrating the impact of some of the inferential meanings and perlocutionary acts on political action in terms of social change and decolonisation. The arguments put forward by theRead MoreThe Concept Of Abductive Methodology786 Words   |  4 Pageslook for patterns parallel to identity framework which is a conflict theory, it will also suggest possible hypothesis while analyzing the data available. Discourse analysis is a framework used to analyze written, vocal, or sign language. (Yatsko V.A, Integrational discourse analysis conception). 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