The Influence of continuous education in Nursing Profession Research Paper

The Influence of continuous education in Nursing Profession (Literature Review) - Research Paper Example The study emphasized on the need to customize the training of nurses in a manner that reflects the needs of the clients. The government, industrialists, and the academia should support fellowships and a range of educational forums bringing together local nurse leaders. Such a partnership, according to the study, would promote a sense of sustainability. According to the study, continuing education for the nurses would be achieved more effectively if the existing structures are revamped and replaced with more constructive systems that would help to achieve evidence-based practices and general competency. Quality and consistence, according to the study, would be achieved through enriched educational programs. Continuous educational programs, according to the study, would, in the long-term, help to address the challenge of staffing that continues to afflict many parts of the United States. The methodology amply explored on the value of training within the nursing profession and the need for partnership in enabling the process. However, it would have been more appropriate to narrow down on the specifics, as the information collected appears too broad, general, and comprehensive. However, this information could be synthesized for the purpose of utilization in further studies and particularly those of a quantitative nature. Newman, Maylor, and Chansarkar (2002) conducted a qualitative study on the factors behind the retention and satisfaction of nurses. Interviews were conducted on respondents comprising of a sample of over 130 midwives and nurses who served in London Trust hospitals. Nurses were asked about their views on the quality of service and the work environment. The interviews were semi-structured and in-depth. They were conducted in a face-to-face method between the interviewer and the interviewee. Five pilot interviews were conducted before the explorative qualitative study was carried out. The information was organized into patterns of themes representing the main objective of the study. Conceptually, the study sought to establish the connection between the levels of nurse satisfaction, the quality of service, and retention. Among the many factors cited by the respondents as their primary motivations, education and continuous training was perceived to be of significant value. The respondents perceived education and continuous training as key to personal development, and one that would enable them to achieve a certain level of flexibility. Such flexibility would guarantee them the opportunity to switch into different areas of nursing and other fields such as the police force where nursing was applicable. The qualitative method was appropriate for this study because it supplied a range of insights that expanded the understanding of the role of continuous training and other supportive factors in promoting nurse satisfaction and the quality of service in the industry. A study conducted by Deshong and Henderson (2010) adopted a qualitativ e research design to establish the impact of strategies meant to maximize the potential of skilled nursing workforce. The study adopted a case study approach that centered on Princes Alexandra Hospital (PAH). The study sought to establish the impact of a special program subsidized by the Commonwealth and the state and meant to address the developmental needs of Assistants-in-Nursing (AINs). In principle, the program was meant to seek ways of addressing the challenge of

Methadone Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Methadone - Essay Example Synthesis of the methadone molecule from these precursors is also described. The manufacturing process yields a racemic mixture with the levo rotator form being more active pharmacologically. This synthetic drug primarily mimics morphine in its ability to act at the  µ opioid receptors however with the advantage of lacking addictive potential. Introduction Drugs used for therapy in human and animal medicine may have a biological origin or may be synthesized artificially. Whatever the source, all drugs have a particular chemical structure and modifications in the structure have been attempted historically to enhance their therapeutic effect or reduce their side effects. Thus the subject of chemistry is extremely relevant to drugs used for therapy. Methadone is a prime example of a synthetic painkiller or analgesic drug which was developed by German scientists in an endeavor to develop an alternative to morphine, which had potential for addiction. The human experience of pain brought forth a need to alleviate it by artificial means and looking for natural pain killers was the first endeavor of the prehistoric man. Opium was the first substance discovered by man around third century BC which had myriad effects on the body (Gutstein & Akil, 2001). Besides alleviating pain, opium became a substance of abuse due to its profound intoxicating and euphoric effects. The active substance, morphine was isolated from opium by Serturner, who named it after the Greek god of dreams, Morpheus (Gutstein & Akil, 2001). Discovery and isolation of other alkaloids followed and these drugs were the mainstay of pain therapy during medieval times and continue to be used so in various forms as different congeners exert different pharmacological actions. During early use of these drugs, their mechanism of action was not well understood but research and discovery yielded the information that specific endogenous receptors existed inside the body to which the opioids got bound and exerted their biological actions. The receptors discovered till date have been labeled as  µ, ?, ? and the latest N/OFQ receptors (Gutstein & Akil, 2001). The various congeners exert their pharmacological actions by binding with specific class of receptors. Methadone is a molecule which interacts with the  µ receptors and produces profound analgesic effect as good as that of morphine. The molecule was first discovered by German scientists in the 1930s in their endeavor to find an analgesic drug without the addictive potential of morphine (CESAR). It is therefore classified as a synthetic, narcotic analgesic which has also been employed as a treatment to wean addicts away from the use of heroin which is a drug of abuse. Methadone has a longer lasting  µ receptor agonist action as compared to morphine. The drug exists as an enantiomer and the l-methadone form is 8-50 times more potent as compared to the d-methadone racemate (Gutstein & Akil, 2001). Methadone is a white crystalline powd er which melts at 233-236oC and is soluble in water as well as organic solvents like methanol and chloroform (drugtext.org). However, it is insoluble in ether. Methadone is available as a hydrochloride salt in its chemical form and possesses 21 carbon, 27 hydrogen, and one each of nitrogen and oxygen atoms along with the hydrochloride in its molecular structure