TRANSAMERICA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

TRANSAMERICA - Research Paper Example On the other hand, business ethics refers to the set of actions that are increasing control over the potential conflicts like corporate governance, corruption, insider trading and employee discrimination. In the current study, Transamerica Life Insurance Company is selected to outline the various aspects of CSR and ethics (Doyle, 2011). Transamerica Corporation is having a prolonged history of controlling different life insurance and investment firms. The American company is having different entities in around the world. Amadeo Giannini established the organization in the year 1904 with the help of the ‘Bank of Italy’ and used the name of ‘San Francisco saloon’. Actually, his aim was to provide financial services more easily so that maximum number of people can use products. He started to provide financial support to different person from the year 1906. Giannini started with a temporary bank in the San Francisco docks area, which provides industrial, contractual loans very easily (Transamerica.com, 2015c). In the year 1928, new strategy adopted by Giannini as his organization merged with ‘Bank of America’. In the year 1930, the â€Å"Transamerica Corporation acquired the Occidental Life Insurance Company† (Transamerica.com, 2015b). Moreover, in the year 1956, management of the firm separated the banking and life insurance businesses segment as the Transamerica. San Francisco skyline was launched after Transamerica was launched (Transamerica.com, 2015b). During the two decades 1960 to 1980, the organization has faced huge challenge. Transamerica gained higher interests among the global financial market with the help of inventiveness and acquisition. They started providing various life insurance and financial services to the normal and institutional clients. Their major clients are like â€Å"motion picture distributor United Artists, Trans International Airlines and Budget Rent A Car† (Transamerica.com, 2015a). During the year 1980,

Descriptive Essay About Mothers Cookies Essay Example for Free

Descriptive Essay About Mothers Cookies Essay Many students enter college expecting good times, knowledge, friendships, and a new sense of direction. When I first got to William Penn I didn’t believe I would gain any of that. As time has passed I realized that WPU does have a lot to offer but everything takes patients. I also had to realize that everything wasn’t going to come easy either. I soon found out that college comes with challenges and struggles because of the great demands and expectations that comes with success. The demands of doing many different things with very little time can become overwhelming. But I believe I’m starting to get the hang of it. There are a limited number of students on the campus so it makes it easier to focus in class that’s something I really like. Putting in long hours and worrying about class does bring extra stress but I’m learning to balance it all out. Coming to WPU has also taught me to have an open ming that I can’t just do the tihngs that I know how to do. I have to try new things that im unconfortable doing. I believe attending this university will open many doors for me. It will also help me mature and become a better student . WPU wiil also help me build my career and start my life on the right path. I chose to come to William Penn becaus I knew that a school far away would give me a better chance to focus on school without too many distractions. Another reason I chose William Penn is because Im very deticated to basketball and coach Henry offered me scholarship money to give me an oppurtunity to play. I also did my research and I noticed that the basketball team had a great season and great program. So I figured it was an honor that William Penn wanted me. I also have lived in Louisiana my whole life so i was really read for the college experience and something different other than Louisiana. So far Im feeling that William Penn was the right choice for me. I needed a new start away from all my problems back home. I was really making bad choices that was starting to lead my life in a direction that i was not prepared for. Ofcourse all my problems are not going to just go away but being at William Penn is giving me an oppurtunity to live my dreams and revatuate myself as a person. Then I will be able to deal with my issues back home as a different person with a better mind set. So I definately dont regret coming to this school because it is keeping me grounded and building character. Read Also:Â  Descriptive Essay Topic Ideas

The Influence of Jewish Mysticism Essay Example for Free

The Influence of Jewish Mysticism Essay Mystics know and experience God in a very different way than the ordinary believer. Whereas the ordinary believer knows God in an objective, concrete manner as embodied in nature or via sacred scriptures, the mystic knows God by personal, one to one contact between their own spirit (soul) and the spirit of God; heart to heart, or as Augustine called it, â€Å"cor ad cor loquitur.† Because of the one to one, highly individualized nature of this experience, one might think the mystic would exist outside of the domain of the major religions of the world. That, in fact, is not the case. Mystics are most often allied with one of the major world religions, including (but not limited to) the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The mystic’s conceptions of God do not only come from the small voice speaking to him in the silence of his soul. Instead, the mystic combines these esoteric experiences with the teachings and traditions of their religion. Much has been written on the comparability between the mystics of the differing world religions, noting that the only differences between them stem from the underlying religion itself. The overarching practice of seeking to actually experience what philosophers call the â€Å"Absolute truth†, (what theologians refer to as God), seems to know no theological boundaries. A Christian mystic seeks the same â€Å"beyond human† communion with the Trinity as the Jewish mystic does with YWEH, and the Muslim mystic does with Allah. The theology of Christianity differs from the llm al-Kalam of Islam and the theology of Judaism in the same ways, whether the believer is a mystic or not. Hence, the principal differences that separate the mystics of the world are the same as the differences that separate all believers. My research seeks not to explain, compare, or contrast the mystics of the differing religions, as I mentioned that much has been written on that subject already, but rather to examine how the mystics of one religion (Judaism) influenced the foundation and theoretical framework of another religion (Christianity). 1. Authority Mysticism is not a term that an ancient mystic himself would use to describe his realm of religiosity. In that regard, mysticism as we have come to understand and know it through most primary sources is not emic (or in their own words), and therefore very difficult to accurately investigate using a hermeneutic approach. The Essenes, for example, did not label themselves â€Å"mystics† in ancient Jerusalem. Our account of them as mystics comes from a purely etic (outside observers) viewpoint. In addition, the literature on early Jewish and Christian mysticism is not the possession of a single religious community, or maintained by a single religious community. While there is mounting evidence that the main origins of mystic tradition were in Jewish priestly circles, most of the literature on the subject of mysticism is from a variety of esoteric Jews and Christians over the course of several centuries. Making the matter more difficult is the amount of pseudepigrapha in â€Å"pr imary† Jewish sources. While this problem also exists in Christian sources, is seems to be more of a roadblock to the student of Jewish mysticism, as most scholars agree that the predominant primary source on the topic, The Zohar, is pseudepigraphical. The Zohar is the primary piece of reference for a sect of Jewish mystics called Kabbalaists, refers to historical events of the post-Talmudic period while purporting to be from an earlier time. Because of the difficulty, then f obtaining a primary source detailing what has come to be known as Jewish mysticism, sacred texts such as the Tanakh and the Bible themselves are used frequently as a main source of information. Therefore, primary sources used for my research in the area of Jewish mysticism include The Talmud, including portions of the Midrash and the Tanakh (The Hebrew Bible). Contained within the Talmud is the Torah. Very helpful to my understanding of these texts were writings by Josepus , a first century Jewish hagiographer, theologian and scholar. Christian primary sources include an Interlinear Greek-English New Testament of the Bible with a parallel column in the New Revised Standard Version, as well as excerpts by Origen, and Gregory of Nyssa, both Fathers of the Early Christian Church. A basic framework for my understanding of Jewish and Christian mysticism includes secondary sources by Joshua Abelson and Evelyn Underhill. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism was helpful in clarifying Jewish terms that I was unfamiliar with. 2. Jewish Mysticism History The beginning of Jewish mysticism is usually linked to the Essenes, a sect of the Second Temple Jews. Known by the Greeks as the â€Å"Holy Ones†, these mysterious Jews are now assumed to be the original keepers of the Dead Sea Scroll library. The sect was closed to society, and was dominated by hereditary priests who had to go through multiple rites of purification before being accepted into the sect. According to Josephus, the Essenes were one of three sects among the Jews at the time of Christ who â€Å" †¦Had different opinions concerning human actions; the one was called the sect of the Pharisees, another the sect of the Sadducees, and the other the sect of the Essenes. Now for the Pharisees, they say that some actions, but not all, are the work of fate, and that some of them are in our own power, and that they are liable to fate, but are not caused by fate. But the sect of the Essenes affirms that fate governs all things, and that nothing befalls men but what is according to its determination. And for the Sadducees, they take away fate, and they say there is no such thing, and that the events of human affairs are not at it’s disposal; but they suppose that all of our actions are in our power, so that we ourselves are the cause of what is good, and receive evil from our own folly.† This clearly illustrates marked difference between the three sects. Josephus later stated that the Essenes were interpreters of dreams, and were very diligent in the reading of the sacred books. Philo of Alexandria, who often tried to reconcile Jewish exegesis with Stoic philosophy, wrote this of the Essenes: â€Å"Of natural philosophy, the Essenes only study that which pertains to the existence of God and the beginning of all things, otherwise they devote all their attention to ethics, using as instructors the laws of their fathers, which, without the outpouring of the Divine Spirit, the human mind could not have devised†¦for, following their ancient traditions, they obtain their philosophy by means of allegorical interpretations†¦ Of the love of God they exhibit myriads of examples, inasmuch as they strive for a continued uninterrupted life of purity and holiness; they avoid swearing and falsehood, and they declare God causes only good and no evil whatsoever†¦no one possesses a house absolutely as his own, one which does not at the same time belong to all; for, in addition to living together in companies, their houses are open also to their adherents coming from other quarters. They have a storehouse for all, and the same diet; their garments belong to all in common, and their meals are taken in common.† Clearly, this sect of Judaism combined mystical speculation with an ascetic mode of life.   Merkabah (chariot) mysticism came into being in the early second century. Merkabah mysticism used as its framework a vision of God experienced by Ezekiel, and told in great detail in Ezekiel Chapters 1-5. â€Å"In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was on him. 4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. 10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they wen t. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. 15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. 19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. 23 Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings. 25 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.† For the Jewish mystics of the 1st and 2nd centuries, Ezekiel’s image of YWEH riding upon a chariot of the â€Å"living creatures† was outside the range of the deepest esoteric experiences of all of the other Old Testament personages. The chariot was interpreted as an invitation from the Divine to man to come and experience the secret which he so desperately seeks: the experience of the Absolute, the being of God himself. The idea that God is the first one to initiate a union of man and God, or has â€Å"called† one’s soul to unite with the divine, is important to all mystics. The chariot, then, is a allegorical vehicle to carry one to the unseen. Every mystic wants to be the chariot rider, to be carried to his ultimate union with the divine. However, as Joshua Ableson points out in his commentary on the Merkavah mystics â€Å"it was believed that he could only undertake this Merkavah-ride, who was in possession of all religious knowledge, observed all the commandments and precepts and was almost superhuman in the purity of his life.† While these roots of Merkavah mysticism were planted firmly in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, they did not bloom and flourish until the 7th- 11th centuries. Since that time, much has been speculated about the meaning of the chariot. Was it a true vision or an experiential event? Does the text hold hidden meaning with each description holding significance for the future? Is the text eschatological? Some modern day occult claim the Merkavah was not a chariot but an alien spaceship! It is understandable why this passage, in the midst of literature that is otherwise devoid of dramatic and colorful descriptions would attract such attention and speculation. Although it is outside the scope of the time period this article seeks to examine, a mention must be made to the ultimate expression of Jewish mysticism: Kabbalah. Kabbalah is an esoteric gnostic occult that emerged in medieval Spain in the 12th century. Kabbalistic teachings look to The Zohar as their primary source of inspiration. The Zohar is a commentary of the Torah, (the first five books of the Old Testament). A Spanish Jew by the name of Moses de Leon attributed the book to a 2nd century Rabbi by the name of Shimon bar Yochai, but scholars are now in general agreement that de Leon penned the work himself. The practices and beliefs of 15th century Kabbalists had much influence on Christian mystics and the Humanist movement (as well modern day New-Age Hollywood!) The Kabbalah school of thought attempts to explain the relationship between an unchanging external, mysterious YWEH (known as Ein Sof) and the mortal, finite universe, by seeking to define the nature of the universe and the human being, the nature and purpose of existence, and various other ontological questions. Given, however that this article seeks to examine the influence of the Jewish mystics on the early Christian Church, I will stick to sects of Jewish mysticism that took place between 500 BCE and 400 CE, that is, the Essenes and the Merkavah. 3. Connections It is easy to find the similarities between the three Abrahamic religions. The mere fact that they are categorized together under the same heading within world religions indicates enough of a resemblance to one another, even beyond their homogeneous beginnings. It would not be new or even controversial for me to suggest a sequential, linear progression from Judaism to Christianity to Islam. My research does not aim to reinforce these arguments, but rather to look deeper. What specific aspects of Judaism continue on into the Christian faith? It is here where I draw a distinction in that there are, as mentioned above, fundamental differences between the sects of Judaism at the time of Christ. I argue that the mystic sects of Judaism, (the Essenes and the Merkavah’s), are the factions of Judaism that influenced the formation and practices of early Christianity the most. Specifically, there are three principal dimensions of early Jewish mysticism that are also primary in early Christianity. These dimensions are an incorporation of the speculative, the experiential and the practical. 3a. The Speculative The first dimension of the two religions is speculation, that is, the search for the absolute truth and revealed nature of the identity of God. This speculation also includes a quest for both the cosmogony (origins) and the cosmology (organization) of the universe. This dimension is most realized in the esoteric followers of both religions. The centerpiece of the cosmogony of the identity of God in mystic Judaism is that God has a â€Å"body.† This body is known as the Kavod of YHWH. The esoteric interpretation of the Kavod is that of a vision of a divine form created by the invisible, formless God that is actually visible to the human eye. This body of God can take the forms of light, clouds, angles, or be felt in just its presence, known as the Shekhinah (the Holy Spirit.) The Essenes believed that complete devotion to the sacred texts, abstinence from sex and certain foods, and communal prayer might bring the believer to the ultimate experience of the Kavod (which literally means â€Å"glory.†) The Kavod must be â€Å"experienced† or perceived, as it was believed at the time that no one could look directly at the face of God and live. This is illustrated in Moses’ encounter with God: â€Å"So the Lord said to Moses, â€Å"While my Glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand and you shall see my back. But my face shall not be seen.† The concept of Kavod had a profound impact on the formation of the Christologies of the early Christian Church. John was the most prolific of writers in his belief that Jesus was the revealed Kavod descended here on earth. John wrote in Chapter One, 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. and again in Chapter 11, directly quoting Christ immediately following the resurrection of Lazarus, 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 â€Å"Take away the stone,† he said.â€Å" But, Lord,† said Martha, the sister of the dead man, â€Å"by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.† 40 Then Jesus said, â€Å"Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?† In total, John refers to the glory or Kavad of God revealed through Christ seven times in the Book of John. Paul also mentions Christ as the glorified image of God in II Corinthians: 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. And even in a more powerful way in Colossians: 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Clearly, the concept of Kavod was a theologically fundamental principal of the esoteric Essenes that became a foundational key factor in the overall Christian understanding of the nature and identity of Christ. Thereby, the speculation about the identity and nature of God and the search for absolute cosmogony and cosmology of God was carried from the mystics to the early Christians. 3b. The Experiential The quest for a direct encounter with a deity is the experiential dimension of both the mystic Jews and the early Christians. The Jewish mystics sought not only knowledge of God, but also an esoteric experience with him. This is clear in the apocalyptic literature of both religions. Second Temple eschatology relates that the mystical, the belief in the immediate and direct experience of God, is an important part of the last days. This religious experience, an encounter with God that is an act of revelation itself, results in the devotee’s immediate personal transformation and the uncovering of God’s mysteries. According to War of the Sons of Light against the Sons of Darkness, (one of the scrolls found of the Dead Sea Scrolls, or Qumran Scrolls), the Essenes were awaiting the cataclysmic struggle between the Sons of Light (themselves) and the Sons of Darkness (everybody else). This battle was to occur not only between the earthly beings, but also joining them would be the cosmic forces of good and evil, and would signal the end of days. Paul wrote in detail of the faithful who experienced Christ’s spirit. He felt these Christians could start their transformation into the image of God while still on earth but that the complete transformation would only occur after death. Paul states in Romans: 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. This is but one example of many (thousands) of references to the Holy Spirit altering or affecting of the Early Christians. For these mystical Jews and Christians, experiencing a vision of the Kavod, (the Image of the Glory of God), stamped Gods image on the soul. Words used to describe these experiences included glorified, exalted, or angelic. The apocalyptic literatures describe believers clothed in shining white garments, as angels worshiping God before his throne, transformed into beings of fire or light, and enthroned with Gods name or image. This is but one example of many shared concepts between the apocalyptic literatures of the mystics of Judaism (such as The Apocalypse of Abraham and The Testament of Levi) and the book of Revelation in the Christian Canon. Comparisons could also be made between cosmic revelations such as descriptions of heaven, hell and events at the end of time, as well as several symbolic symbols such as hands, bowls, scrolls, angels, or dragons. Once again, we see an important concept of the mystics carried into the essential framework of early Christianity. It is important to note, that in the cases of both religions, this shift of thought to experiencing God in the present may have been due to failed eschatological expectations. Hopes for the long awaited battle between the forces of light and the forces of dark for the mystics, and the imminent return of Christ for the Christians had not gone as previously thought. Moving these hope for the future to actual experiences of the present made the reward of Kavod available to all believers, and a possible reality. 3c. The Practical The most obvious shared dimension between the Jewish mystics and the Early Christians was that of their shared practical application of their experiences in order to effect change. This was illustrated in their communal practices, which served as an avenue for mystical transformation. Examples of these practices include asceticism (denying oneself of worldly pleasures), initiation rites (such as Circumcision for the Jews and Baptism for the Christians), washing (such as foot washing for Christians and purification rituals for the Jews), the anointing of the body and hair with sacramental oil, spirit possession, sexual asceticism, and sacramental ritual behavior, (such as the Passover meal and the Eucharist.) The transformation of the mystical ideals into the sacramental rituals of the early Christian Church and the â€Å"Gnostic† schools is fascinating. The sacraments seem to normalize the mystical, making the presence of God regularly available to believers. Baptism, anointing, and the Eucharist all involve the integration of the Holy Spirit and the Christ into the soul. These rituals were understood as the vehicle that elevates and transports the person into the sacred realm so that he or she can come into the very presence of God. This is the ultimate combination of the speculative theology experienced through the practical; and once again illustrates how the mystics of Judaism influenced the early Christians. While it is clear to me that many practices and beliefs Christians are directly taken from the practices and beliefs of the Jewish mystics, it remains unclear to me if Christianity was a continuum of the Jewish mystic sect of the Essenes, (with the addition of the long-awaited Messiah), or a completely new religion that merely borrowed a few key dimensions from the Essenes. What, if anything did the other non-mystic Jewish sects contribute? How many of the Essenes converted to Christianity in comparison to the other Jewish sects? Was Jesus himself an Essene? All of these remain topics for further research. However, there is arguably no question that the Jewish faith and specifically the mystics of Judaism influenced the theology, framework and Christology of the Christian Church. References ODonnell, James. Augustine’s Confessions: An Electronic Edition. The STOA Consortium. The STOA Consortium, 1992. Web. 03 Mar 2012. http://www.stoa.org/hippo/. Barclay, Joseph. The Talmud. Sacred Texts. London1878. Web. 6 Mar 2012. http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/bar/bar000.htm. Rapaport, Samuel. Tales and Maxims from the Midrash. Sacred Texts. George Routledge Sons Limited, 1907. Web. 10 Mar 2012. http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/tmm/tmm00.htm. Kimball, Christopher V. The Tanach. Sacred Texts. Westminster Hebrew Institute, 20 OCT 2006. Web. 06 Mar 2012. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/tan/index.htm Whiston, William. The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged. 5th. 1. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1985. Print. Brown, Robert K., and Phillip W. Comfort. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament. UBS 4th Edition;Nestle-Aland 26th Edition. Munster/Westphalia: Tyndale, 1990. Print. McGinn, Bernard. The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism: Origen: Commentary on the Song of Songs. New York, New York: Random House, 20006. Print. McGinn, Bernard. The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism: Gregory of Nyssa: the Life of Moses. New York, New York: Random House, 2006. Print. Abelson, Joshua. Jewish Mysticism. First Published in 1913: Forgotten Books, 2008. Print. Underhill, Evelyn. Mysticism. 12th.Lexington, KY: 2011. Print. Dennis, Rabbi Geoffrey. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism. 1st ed. Woodbury. MN: llewellyn Publications, 2011. Print. Whiston, William. The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged. 5th. 1. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1985. Print. â€Å"Antiquities of the Jews.† pp. 274, Book Xiii, Chapter V, Section 9. Coleson, F.H.. The Contemplative Life. Early Jewish Writings. pp. 53, 206. 2011. Web. 15 Mar 2012. http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/philo/book34.html. E. Wolfson, Yeridah la-Merkavah: Typology of Ecstasy and Enthronement in Ancient Jewish Mysticism, in R. Herrera (ed.), Mystics of the Book: Themes, Topics, and Typologies (New York: Lang, 1993) pp. 13-44 [ 1 ]. ODonnell, James. Augustine’s Confessions: An Electronic Edition. The STOA Consortium. The STOA Consortium, 1992. Web. 03 Mar 2012. . [ 2 ]. Barclay, Joseph. The Talmud. Sacred Texts. London1878. Web. 6 Mar 2012. . [ 3 ]. Rapaport, Samuel. Tales and Maxims from the Midrash. Sacred Texts. George Routledge Sons Limited, 1907. Web. 10 Mar 2012. . [ 4 ]. Kimball, Christopher V. The Tanach. Sacred Texts. Westminster Hebrew Institute, 20 OCT 2006. Web. 06 Mar 2012.

Effect of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on Labor Supply

Effect of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on Labor Supply Michael Lederman How does the EITC affect labor supply? The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides a tax credit for those who qualify with positive earnings, low income, and minimal capital gains. It is more so directed at working families, whether it is 2 parents or a single mother. It is intended to push more people into the work force, especially low-income women. In fiscal year 1998 the EITC is expected to cost the federal government $24.5 billion, $7 billion of which will result from expansions incorporated in the 1993 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA93) (Houser Scholz, 2). It pushes for a â€Å"make-work pay† strategy of welfare reform so people do not rely as heavily on welfare programs. There are many articles that discuss what effect the Earned Income Tax Credit has on labor supply in America and the way the policy has affected so many. In â€Å"The Impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Social Policy Reforms on Work, Marriage, and Living Arrangements† by Ellwood, he examines how changes in social reforms, such as the EITC, have impacted labor supply, marriage, and cohabitation. Ellwood acquired and used the current population survey from March 1995 of women ages 18-44 who worked at least 26 weeks, also separating between married or single, with children. Then he used a wage equation to predict a potential 1998 wage for the women. Then the predicted wage was used to place the women into predicted wage/skill quartiles after accounting for education level. The incentives were much higher for low skill single mothers to work. Differentiating the women between skill and wage levels is critical in determining which group of people receives benefits and which don’t get affected at all. In 1986, she could hope to earn just $2,800 more and her effective tax rate being 76 percent; but by 1998, the number ha d jumped to $7,600 with her effective tax rate falling to 31 percent (Ellwood). The lowest quartile showed the greatest amount of change, and the following quartiles showed change, but nothing too drastic. Employment rates were rising for unmarried mothers. For married women, incentives to work were sharply reduced for low-income women, with effective tax rates falling slightly for women in other quartiles. A large change in work by the lowest quartile occurred with employment rates shooting up from 34 percent in 1992 to 55 percent in 1999. In regard to married women, some cases led to them being discouraged to work. Roughly 54 percent of married women in the bottom quartile would have faced penalties up to $1,288 (had they been earning $10,000) whose husbands likely were earning less than the EITC maximum. Another 28 percent would have had no incentive to work because their husband’s income surpassed the EITC maximum. The EITC encouraged more work force participation by sing le mothers, but hadn’t had such an effect on married mothers. Overall, based on the number of mothers in each group affected, this article concluded the EITC results in a net increase of working women. In â€Å"The Earned Income Tax Credit and Transfer Programs: A study of Labor Market and Program Participation† by Dickert and Scholz, they focus on the degree to which welfare policies, like the EITC, that alter after-tax wages affect hours of work, labor market participation, and welfare program participation. They used the following empirical model to study the effect of wages, taxes, and program benefits on labor market and program participation; bivariate probit models of labor market and transfer program participation. They included variables for income, transfers, and demographic characteristics in both participation equations. Two models are estimated separately: one for one-parent families and the other for primary earners in two-parents families. Net wages are key in influencing participation when it comes to the EITC. The empirical results for the single parent model found that net wages positively affected labor market participation. A 10 percent increase in the af ter-tax wage raises the single parent’s probability of working by two percent (Dickert Scholz). Two-parent families do not show any significant changes in labor market decisions for primary earners. Tax rates were also found to exert a strong negative effect on the probability of labor force participation. For single parents, the probability of working generally increases with predicted wage rates. In the bivariate probit model for single-parents families, a highly significant negative correlation is found between the labor market and transfer program participation. The article also examines the offset between the new participants in the labor force and the decrease in hours worked by those already working. The simulations show the EITC increases net wage of single parents by 15 percent, which in turn increases their probability of working by 3.3 percentage points. Assuming they work on average 20 hours a week for 20 weeks a year, this implies hours worked by single-parent f amilies would increase by 72.8 million hour per year (Dickert Scholz). Overall, the simulation results imply that greater labor market participation will lead to an increase of 74.4 million hours, compared to the 54.5 million hours less worked by those already in the work force, more than enough to offset. This article accounts for both the positive and negative effects EITC has on the labor force, and explains how the two cancel each other out with extra benefits to society. In the article â€Å"Welfare, The EITC, and the Labor Supply of Single Mothers† by Meyer and Rosenbaum, they focus on the effect that tax and transfer program had on incentivizing single mothers to work. They use the Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group Files and the March CPS files. Estimates from these specifications suggest that EITC and other tax changes account for 60 percent of the 1984-1996 increase in employment of single mothers (relative to single women without children). The article highlights the fact that the EITC credits increased from $1.6 billion in 1984 to $25.1 billion in 1996. A structural model was created, which accounts for taxes, welfare, Medicaid, welfare waivers and time limits, training and childcare, education, unemployment rate and macroeconomic conditions, and hours worked. These variables of empirical evidence are absolutely essential when making informed policy decisions. Every factor must be taken into account when making policy dec isions, and the more evidence and information you get involved, the more solidified your conclusion. A one thousand dollar reduction in income taxes if a woman works increases employment last week by 2.7 percentage points and last year by 4.5 percentage points; labor supply of single mothers responds to taxes. A one thousand dollar reduction in annual welfare maximum benefit increases employment last week by 3.4 percentage points and increases employment by 3 percentage points. Also, a 10 percent cut in the maximum benefit increases both annual and weekly employment rate by 1 percentage point (Meyer Rosenbaum). The period between 1984 and 1996 where tax and transfer policy was being pushed encouraged single mothers to work more. The one flaw I can find in this article is no discussion about the different phases that EITC entails. An individual experiences different incentives at different points of the EITC, and that is something that must be accounted for. A matter in question I believe needs changing is a way to figure out how to get change the fact that two-thirds of recipients, and 84 percent of total earnings, are in the phase-out range of EITC (Browning). It must be more focused on the phase-in region, where the growth of labor supply is actually occurring. The favorable benefits and results happen during the phase-in region, but sadly this is a small proportion of the population of recipients. A policy recommendation I would suggest would be to somewhat change the structure of the EITC to prevent this waste of money from transpiring. Perhaps a brand new welfare program needs to be put into place instead of the EITC that focuses more on the increased net wages for those who truly need it. An possible option would be for a recipient entering the phase-out region to report their earnings so that it may be determined whether they still should qualify to receive these net wage increases. In conclusion, these articles all feed off of one another to build up knowledge of the exact effects the EITC has on society. Single mothers experience higher incentives to join the work force, along with other low-income individuals. When structuring a model to research the effect of policy, it is crucial to take every variable into account. The EITC does cause decrease hours worked, but the increase in labor supply makes up for it. Increased net wages with the EITC is a big enough incentive to push people into work. It is important to doubt empirical methods and be suspicious of results. For example, some women with children may not be able to work to due the need to take care of their children, or any other possible factors as so. With the evidence stated here, we can claim EITC positively affected labor supply. Reference List Browning, E. K. (1995). EFFECTS OF THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT ON  INCOME AND WELFARE. National Tax Journal, 48(1), 23-43. Dickert, S., Houser, S., Scholz, J. K. (1995). The earned income tax credit and  transfer programs: a study of labor market and program participation. In  Tax Policy and the Economy, Volume 9(pp. 1-50). MIT Press. Ellwood, David T. 2000. â€Å"The Impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Social  Policy Reforms on Work, Marriage, and Living Arrangements.† National Tax Journal, no. 4: 1063-1105. Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost Meyer, B. D., Rosenbaum, D. T. (2001). Welfare, the earned income tax credit, and  the labor supply of single mothers.The Quarterly Journal of Economics,116(3), 1063-1114. Michael Lederman

Cathedral by Raymond Carver Essay -- Papers Cathedral Raymond Carver E

Cathedral by Raymond Carver In Raymond Carver?s ?Cathedral?, the conventional ideas often associated with blindness and sight are challenged. By juxtaposing his two male characters, Carver is able to effectively explore sight and its seemingly simplistic relationship with learning and knowledge. As well, he addresses the barriers imposed by the human tendency to rely on vision as the sole means of experiencing the world. At the beginning of the story, the narrator?s perception on blind people as individuals who ?moved slowly and never laughed? reflect not only his but also the views generally shared by society (720). The uneasiness experienced by the narrator at the prospect of ?[a] blind man in [his] house? is a representation of the prejudices and fears that we often face when exposed and forced to deal with strange and foreign things (720). Blindness seems especially abnormal to us because vision plays such a heavy role in our everyday ?normal? lives; not seeing equates to not being able to truly understand and experience the beauties of life. Just knowing that the blind man had a wife who he ?lived, worked, slept [with]?had sex?and then bur[ied]. All without having ever seen what the goddamned woman looked like? baffles the narrator (722). ?It [is] beyond [his] understanding? how anyone can exist in such an incomplete existence and thus is much deserved of his pity (722). As the story prog resses the narrator finally meets the blind man who is introduced to him as Robert?before this, the speaker merely refers to Robert as ?the blind man?. The establishment of ?Robert? who ?didn?t use a cane and didn?t ware dark glasses? surprised him?going against the conventions that he had always believed; seeing this b... ..., only through his forced interaction with Robert and his blindness is he able to close his eye and open up his mind. This awakening reveals to him a form of communication, experience and expression that cannot just be seen. In the end it is ironic that even though the narrator was attempting to teach Robert something it was the he who seemed to gain the most from the experience. The blind man and their drawing of the Cathedral are able to defy his previous conceptions of life and thus open a vast array of new possibilities. We are left wondering how much more the narrator learned about himself and about human communication than the blind man has learnt about cathedrals. Bibliography: Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. The Norton Introduction To Literature. Jerome Beaty and J. Paul Hunter. Seventh Edition. New York: WW Norton 1998.

Enterprise Architecture Essay -- essays research papers

BACKGROUND There is a strong need and business case for standardization of technologies and requirements used to design, build, and implement solutions for the 24 Presidential Priority E-Gov initiatives. Without standardization and the recommendation of technologies, agencies risk building and deploying solutions that use proprietary technologies, are not aligned to the Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) and isolate themselves from other initiatives and cross-agency business functions. To mitigate these risks, the FEAProgram Management Office (PMO) created a Component-Based Architecture that defines a set of recommendations that should be considered when selecting the tools, technologies, and industrystandards that will be used to build the 24 Presidential Priority E-Gov initiatives and subsequent business solutions. A multi-disciplinary and cross-functional working group of initiative representatives is necessary to assist with the coordination and implementation of the Component-Based Architecture. INTRODUCTION Under the direction of the FEA-PMO, the SAWG was created to help agencies and the 24 Presidential Priority E-Gov initiatives achieve success in areas of system architecture, technology selection, and the adoption of industry-driven standards (i.e., XML, Web Services, J2EE, .NET) that can be leveraged on a governmentwide scale. The SAWG will also support FEA efforts, and help integrate the 24 Presidential Priority E-Gov initiatives with e-authentication. The SAWG ...

Care Plan

Palliative care would allow the client to receive a combined and holistic approach for medications, equipment, unseeing, and symptom treatment all fascinated through one program. The community health nurse needs to be careful not to impose ones own perception about quality of life upon the client. With the experience of having helped both of my parents through the dying process, I know that it is important to separate my own experience and perceptions from those of my client. Just as each person takes on life with a different philosophy, so it goes with the dying process.The nurse must not assume that the patient's priorities are the same as his or hers. Open communication regarding the patient's wants and needs must be initiated. Though not all patients have had the time or skills to know how to deal with a terminal illness, one of the most important Jobs of the nurse is to connect the patient to the proper resources needed for navigating through the various aspects and stages of th eir disease process, and to do so without Judgment or bias. B. Many terminally ill patients begin to navigate through the stages of grief as outlined by Elisabeth Kibble-Ross.While caring for this client with a lingering terminal illness such as cancer, my first strategy would be to keep the lines of communication open, managing the patient's emotional and spiritual needs and outlining the stages of grief as the client progresses through them. By initiating a good line of communication, one can recognize and guide both Mr.. And Mrs.. Thomas through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (Kibble-Ross). It will be easier to better manage Mrs.. Thomas' physical needs if her psychological social needs have been addressed.My second strategy in helping to improve the quality of life for Mrs.. Thomas and her husband would be to manage Mrs.; Thomas' comfort. Working carefully with a palliative or hospice team to manage the physical discomforts of the tangent's illness, can gre atly increase quality of life. This is often a critical area of educating the patient on pain control. Patients are often afraid to take pain medications, and therapeutic communication is likely to be necessary. Monsoon). My third strategy would be to set up an interdisciplinary palliative care team to to manage the health of Mrs..Thomas. Terminal illness can be overwhelming for a family, where likely there are other factors – be it financial, familial, psychological, and no one person can manage it all. By working with the family to institute a good team or care, the burden can be lifted off the family and this will ideally allow them to care for their loved one without becoming burdened or overwhelmed. It is important to consult the family regarding any spiritual support that they would feel comforting. Is there a minister or spiritual guide currently in their life?If not, would they be open too visit from someone that is akin to their spiritual values? These are questions that should be carefully addressed. C. Nursing Care Plan for Mrs.. Thomas Assessment: Mrs.. Thomas is a 56 year-old female with a history of breast cancer. Mrs.. Thomas is aired with two grown sons, aged 28 and 30 both of which live out of state. Mrs.. Thomas has a strong familial history of braes cancer and one year ago, was treated for a malignant mass in her right breast.After a right mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation six months ago, the cancer has now returned with subsequent right sided mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. The cancer has now metastasis's to the lungs and the prognosis is now deemed to be â€Å"poor† with â€Å"palliative care now being recommended†. (Task 2). Diagnosis Number One: Acute Pain related to incision secondary to surgical intervention as evidenced by tangent's visible discomfort/crying in bed, pallor, respirations, blood pressure and a report of 8/10 pain. Goal 1.Patient will verbalize a pain rating of 4 or less on a scale of 10 with each assessment. 2. Pain control as evidenced by patient demonstrating ability to use analgesics appropriately, use alternative non-analgesic relief, reported pain to be mild, relaxed body language, vital signs returning to normal Plan 1. Analgesic pain medication as prescribed by physician (Swearing) 2. Use of diversionary and or strategies to assist with pain (SHE Nursing Care Plan Guide) 3. Assist patient with positioning for comfort Implement .Evaluated effect of medication, utilize pain scale 2. Assessed effectiveness of diversionary strategies (SHE Nursing Care Plan Guide) 3. Assisted with position changes Diagnosis Number Two: Activity Intolerance related to generalized weakness as evidenced by increasing fatigue Goal 1. The nurse will help fascinate a physical therapist to help with mobility 2.. Will ambulate IX around block daily Patient 3.. Patient will fully participate in Tall's within physical limitations without dizziness or change in vital signs by 8/1/14 1 .Ass ess patient's level of mobility, educate within patient's capability 2. Assess nutritional status. Adequate energy reserves are required for activity. (Swearing) 3. Ambulate patient XX a day 1. Educated patient on benefits of mobility and the proper body mechanics for mobility 2. Encourage nutrition prior to activity and the proper body mechanics for mobility Monsoon) 3. Ambulated patient XX daily Diagnosis Number 3: Ineffective Coping related to financial burden and emotional impact of diagnosis on family as evidenced by patient's increasing isolation 1.Set up a quality interdisciplinary team incorporating counseling services for the family 2. Patient will demonstrate problem solving techniques Monsoon) 3. Patient ill verbalize acceptance of diagnosis 1. Patient will utilize available support systems and work with counselor for socio psych issues 2. Assist client to identify priorities and attainable goals as he/she starts to plan for necessary lifestyle and role changes 3. Perform actions to facilitate the grieving process (Elsevier) 1. Patient met with counseling services 2. Patient identified priorities and set goals 3.Patient demonstrated knowledge of the 5 stages of grief and how to work through them In order to optimize Mrs.. Thomas functional ability, the care team should strive for all three of the goals in her plan of care to be met. First of all, her pain needs to be managed so that manipulation can be successful, without discomfort. It is quite common for patients to be concerned about becoming addicted to pain medication as in the case of Mrs.. Thomas. Addiction is â€Å"psychological dependence† on a drug and is not the same as tolerance or physical dependence, according to Oncologist, DRP.Gary Johansson who states that â€Å"In fact, addiction is rare when avoids are used for pain relief†. With proper education and regularly scheduled pain medication, Mrs.. Thomas should be much more comfortable and able to manage other areas of he r life more successfully. Once Mrs.. Thomas' pain is under control, she will be able to work through many of the stresses that have mounted since her diagnosis. As Mrs.. Thomas disease progresses, there will come a time when she will no longer be able to care for herself. A new Plan of Care should be created and ready to transition to at that time.At this time the interdisciplinary team should consist of a hospice care which is generally implemented when a patient has less than 6 months to live. When hospice is begun, all care is transferred to the hospice team. New orders for care, medication, equipment will be set up and time is given to the family or supporting both the patient and their loved ones. Care will focus on making the most out of the time they have left, â€Å"without some of the negative side-effects that life prolonging treatments can have†. Monsoon).Most hospice patients can attain a level of comfort that allows them to â€Å"concentrate on the emotional and practical issues of dying†. Willet-Legislations). Mr.. Thomas is carrying a big physical and emotional burden during his wife's terminal illness. The Thomas family's case is complicated by Mr.. Thomas' chronic depression and high stress occupation. As Mrs.. Thomas' needs escalate and change, so do the needs of the Mr.. Thomas. By facilitating psychological help for Mr.. Thomas, the care team is in turn helping Mrs.. Thomas by easing her worries about her spouse.Patients and families need support, guidance, and encouragement to begin planning for many decisions. Many spouses are weighted with concern about the patients' comfort and impending death as well as every day problems. â€Å"This is an emotionally intense, exhausting, and singular experience, set in a world apart from everyday life patterns†. (Siegel). Mr.. Thomas needs to be reminded that in order to help care and be emotionally supportive to his wife, he needs to take care of himself. Medication reminders and grief support should be set up for Mr.. Thomas.Therapeutic conversation and guidance can make all the difference for the significant other off terminal patient. In addition, Mr.. Thomas needs respite care so that he can be fully present while caring for his wife. Mr.. Thomas should be encouraged to take a walk, a nap, or a restorative A care plan for Mr.. Thomas could be initiated with a nursing diagnosis of: Risk for Caregiver Role Strain. (SHE). Goal: Spouse will report low or no feelings of burden or distress by 8/01/14, measured by relief stated by spouse. Plan: Encourage the caregiver to talk about feelings, concerns, uncertainties, and fears. Care Plan Transition Nursing Process Discussion Group 3 Case Study Michael Martinez Is a 24-year-old Marine who was Involved In a motor vehicle accident (MBA) while on leave. His face hit the dashboard, resulting in a fracture of the mandible. Yesterday, he underwent a surgical incommensurable fixation, (wiring of the Jaw) for stabilization of the fracture. As a result of this surgery, he is unable to open his mouth and is limited to a liquid diet. The restricted diet will be necessary for 4 to 5 weeks until the fracture heals. One day post pop, his vital signs are 120/76, T-99. 2, P-82, and R- 20.After medication, is pain level is 3/10. With the exception of facial bruising, his appearance is within normal Limits, Steps of the Nursing Process Patient Information Assessment Objective and subjective data will be entered here. The database presented In the case study will be used. Data is collected and verified from the primary (apt. ) and the secondary (family, friends, health professionals, an d medical record). Analysis of this data provides the basis for development of the remaining steps in the nursing process. Subjective: Patient expresses disinterest in a liquid only diet Objective: wired Jaw Liquid diet Nursing DiagnosisAfter analyzing the assessment data, formulate a priority nursing diagnosis. Remember, a nursing diagnosis is a statement describing the patient's actual or potential response to a health problem that the nurse Is licensed and competent to treat. An actual diagnosis Is written In three parts: diagnostic label (problem) related to_ as evidenced/exhibited by_. A risk diagnosis is written in two parts: Risk for (diagnostic label) _ related to Nutrition: less than body requirements related to Inability to eat solid foods as evidenced by liquid diet post-surgery Planning Goals: Now is the time set patient centered goals.Here you will develop expected selection of interventions based on six important factors outlined in your text. Please write the interven tions you select below in implementation. Patient will be free of signs of malnutrition post dinner time each shift Implementation Here is where the nurse will carry out the plan of care. Then continue data collection and modify the plan of care as needed and document care provided. What nursing interventions will you provide to enhance patient outcomes? Assess patient's weight every shift Calculate bowel sounds Evaluate total daily food intake Provide high calorie, nutrient-rich dietary supplementsEvaluation The purpose of evaluation is to support the effectiveness of nursing practice which is patient-centered and patient-driven. This phase measures the patient's response to nursing interventions and progress towards achieving goals using five elements listed in the text. Did you achieve the goal for this nursing diagnosis? Will you continue the plan of care, revise the plan of care, or discontinue? Reassess patient's lab value daily for signs of malnutrition. If malnourished call health care provider for further orders Patient will weight within 10% of normal body weight every morning Care Plan A. Our client, Mrs.. Thomas has been given the unfortunate diagnosis of metastasis breast cancer. When considering the current and future needs of this client, significant thought and planning must be directed toward the client's level of well being. In the case off terminally ill patient, it is important to help facilitate a high quality of life that encompasses both physical and psychological health. I would recommend initiating palliative care for Mrs.. Thomas.Palliative care would allow the client to receive a combined and holistic approach for medications, equipment, unseeing, and symptom treatment all fascinated through one program. The community health nurse needs to be careful not to impose ones own perception about quality of life upon the client. With the experience of having helped both of my parents through the dying process, I know that it is important to separate my own experience and perceptions from those of my client. Just as each person takes on life with a differen t philosophy, so it goes with the dying process.The nurse must not assume that the patient's priorities are the same as his or hers. Open communication regarding the patient's wants and needs must be initiated. Though not all patients have had the time or skills to know how to deal with a terminal illness, one of the most important Jobs of the nurse is to connect the patient to the proper resources needed for navigating through the various aspects and stages of their disease process, and to do so without Judgment or bias. B. Many terminally ill patients begin to navigate through the stages of grief as outlined by Elisabeth Kibble-Ross.While caring for this client with a lingering terminal illness such as cancer, my first strategy would be to keep the lines of communication open, managing the patient's emotional and spiritual needs and outlining the stages of grief as the client progresses through them. By initiating a good line of communication, one can recognize and guide both Mr.. And Mrs.. Thomas through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (Kibble-Ross). It will be easier to better manage Mrs.. Thomas' physical needs if her psychological social needs have been addressed.My second strategy in helping to improve the quality of life for Mrs.. Thomas and her husband would be to manage Mrs.; Thomas' comfort. Working carefully with a palliative or hospice team to manage the physical discomforts of the tangent's illness, can greatly increase quality of life. This is often a critical area of educating the patient on pain control. Patients are often afraid to take pain medications, and therapeutic communication is likely to be necessary. Monsoon). My third strategy would be to set up an interdisciplinary palliative care team to to manage the health of Mrs..Thomas. Terminal illness can be overwhelming for a family, where likely there are other factors – be it financial, familial, psychological, and no one person can manage it all. By working w ith the family to institute a good team or care, the burden can be lifted off the family and this will ideally allow them to care for their loved one without becoming burdened or overwhelmed. It is important to consult the family regarding any spiritual support that they would feel comforting. Is there a minister or spiritual guide currently in their life?If not, would they be open too visit from someone that is akin to their spiritual values? These are questions that should be carefully addressed. C. Nursing Care Plan for Mrs.. Thomas Assessment: Mrs.. Thomas is a 56 year-old female with a history of breast cancer. Mrs.. Thomas is aired with two grown sons, aged 28 and 30 both of which live out of state. Mrs.. Thomas has a strong familial history of braes cancer and one year ago, was treated for a malignant mass in her right breast.After a right mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation six months ago, the cancer has now returned with subsequent right sided mastectomy, chemotherapy an d radiation. The cancer has now metastasis's to the lungs and the prognosis is now deemed to be â€Å"poor† with â€Å"palliative care now being recommended†. (Task 2). Diagnosis Number One: Acute Pain related to incision secondary to surgical intervention as evidenced by tangent's visible discomfort/crying in bed, pallor, respirations, blood pressure and a report of 8/10 pain. Goal 1.Patient will verbalize a pain rating of 4 or less on a scale of 10 with each assessment. 2. Pain control as evidenced by patient demonstrating ability to use analgesics appropriately, use alternative non-analgesic relief, reported pain to be mild, relaxed body language, vital signs returning to normal Plan 1. Analgesic pain medication as prescribed by physician (Swearing) 2. Use of diversionary and or strategies to assist with pain (SHE Nursing Care Plan Guide) 3. Assist patient with positioning for comfort Implement .Evaluated effect of medication, utilize pain scale 2. Assessed effectiv eness of diversionary strategies (SHE Nursing Care Plan Guide) 3. Assisted with position changes Diagnosis Number Two: Activity Intolerance related to generalized weakness as evidenced by increasing fatigue Goal 1. The nurse will help fascinate a physical therapist to help with mobility 2.. Will ambulate IX around block daily Patient 3.. Patient will fully participate in Tall's within physical limitations without dizziness or change in vital signs by 8/1/14 1 .Assess patient's level of mobility, educate within patient's capability 2. Assess nutritional status. Adequate energy reserves are required for activity. (Swearing) 3. Ambulate patient XX a day 1. Educated patient on benefits of mobility and the proper body mechanics for mobility 2. Encourage nutrition prior to activity and the proper body mechanics for mobility Monsoon) 3. Ambulated patient XX daily Diagnosis Number 3: Ineffective Coping related to financial burden and emotional impact of diagnosis on family as evidenced by p atient's increasing isolation 1.Set up a quality interdisciplinary team incorporating counseling services for the family 2. Patient will demonstrate problem solving techniques Monsoon) 3. Patient ill verbalize acceptance of diagnosis 1. Patient will utilize available support systems and work with counselor for socio psych issues 2. Assist client to identify priorities and attainable goals as he/she starts to plan for necessary lifestyle and role changes 3. Perform actions to facilitate the grieving process (Elsevier) 1. Patient met with counseling services 2. Patient identified priorities and set goals 3.Patient demonstrated knowledge of the 5 stages of grief and how to work through them In order to optimize Mrs.. Thomas functional ability, the care team should strive for all three of the goals in her plan of care to be met. First of all, her pain needs to be managed so that manipulation can be successful, without discomfort. It is quite common for patients to be concerned about bec oming addicted to pain medication as in the case of Mrs.. Thomas. Addiction is â€Å"psychological dependence† on a drug and is not the same as tolerance or physical dependence, according to Oncologist, Dry.Gary Johansson who states that â€Å"In fact, addiction is rare when avoids are used for pain relief†. With proper education and regularly scheduled pain medication, Mrs.. Thomas should be much more comfortable and able to manage other areas of her life more successfully. Once Mrs.. Thomas' pain is under control, she will be able to work through many of the stresses that have mounted since her diagnosis. As Mrs.. Thomas disease progresses, there will come a time when she will no longer be able to care for herself. A new Plan of Care should be created and ready to transition to at that time.At this time the interdisciplinary team should consist of a hospice care which is generally implemented when a patient has less than 6 months to live. When hospice is begun, all c are is transferred to the hospice team. New orders for care, medication, equipment will be set up and time is given to the family or supporting both the patient and their loved ones. Care will focus on making the most out of the time they have left, â€Å"without some of the negative side-effects that life prolonging treatments can have†. Monsoon).Most hospice patients can attain a level of comfort that allows them to â€Å"concentrate on the emotional and practical issues of dying†. Willet-Legislations). Mr.. Thomas is carrying a big physical and emotional burden during his wife's terminal illness. The Thomas family's case is complicated by Mr.. Thomas' chronic depression and high stress occupation. As Mrs.. Thomas' needs escalate and change, so do the needs of the Mr.. Thomas. By facilitating psychological help for Mr.. Thomas, the care team is in turn helping Mrs.. Thomas by easing her worries about her spouse.Patients and families need support, guidance, and encour agement to begin planning for many decisions. Many spouses are weighted with concern about the patients' comfort and impending death as well as every day problems. â€Å"This is an emotionally intense, exhausting, and singular experience, set in a world apart from everyday life patterns†. (Siegel). Mr.. Thomas needs to be reminded that in order to help care and be emotionally supportive to his wife, he needs to take care of himself. Medication reminders and grief support should be set up for Mr.. Thomas.Therapeutic conversation and guidance can make all the difference for the significant other off terminal patient. In addition, Mr.. Thomas needs respite care so that he can be fully present while caring for his wife. Mr.. Thomas should be encouraged to take a walk, a nap, or a restorative A care plan for Mr.. Thomas could be initiated with a nursing diagnosis of: Risk for Caregiver Role Strain. (SHE). Goal: Spouse will report low or no feelings of burden or distress by 8/01/14 , measured by relief stated by spouse. Plan: Encourage the caregiver to talk about feelings, concerns, uncertainties, and fears.Acknowledge the frustration associated with caregiver responsibilities. Initiate counseling. 2. Help the caregiver problem solve to meet his needs. 3. Set up medication reminders for psychological medications. Implement: 1. Patient openly discusses concerns, uncertainties and fears (SHE). Patient acknowledges frustrations associated with his caregiver responsibilities. Patient attends counseling. 2. Patient participates in problem solving to meet his needs. 3. Patient follows medication reminders and takes medications for his depression. Care Plan A. Our client, Mrs.. Thomas has been given the unfortunate diagnosis of metastasis breast cancer. When considering the current and future needs of this client, significant thought and planning must be directed toward the client's level of well being. In the case off terminally ill patient, it is important to help facilitate a high quality of life that encompasses both physical and psychological health. I would recommend initiating palliative care for Mrs.. Thomas.Palliative care would allow the client to receive a combined and holistic approach for medications, equipment, unseeing, and symptom treatment all fascinated through one program. The community health nurse needs to be careful not to impose ones own perception about quality of life upon the client. With the experience of having helped both of my parents through the dying process, I know that it is important to separate my own experience and perceptions from those of my client. Just as each person takes on life with a differen t philosophy, so it goes with the dying process.The nurse must not assume that the patient's priorities are the same as his or hers. Open communication regarding the patient's wants and needs must be initiated. Though not all patients have had the time or skills to know how to deal with a terminal illness, one of the most important Jobs of the nurse is to connect the patient to the proper resources needed for navigating through the various aspects and stages of their disease process, and to do so without Judgment or bias. B. Many terminally ill patients begin to navigate through the stages of grief as outlined by Elisabeth Kibble-Ross.While caring for this client with a lingering terminal illness such as cancer, my first strategy would be to keep the lines of communication open, managing the patient's emotional and spiritual needs and outlining the stages of grief as the client progresses through them. By initiating a good line of communication, one can recognize and guide both Mr.. And Mrs.. Thomas through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (Kibble-Ross). It will be easier to better manage Mrs.. Thomas' physical needs if her psychological social needs have been addressed.My second strategy in helping to improve the quality of life for Mrs.. Thomas and her husband would be to manage Mrs.; Thomas' comfort. Working carefully with a palliative or hospice team to manage the physical discomforts of the tangent's illness, can greatly increase quality of life. This is often a critical area of educating the patient on pain control. Patients are often afraid to take pain medications, and therapeutic communication is likely to be necessary. Monsoon). My third strategy would be to set up an interdisciplinary palliative care team to to manage the health of Mrs..Thomas. Terminal illness can be overwhelming for a family, where likely there are other factors – be it financial, familial, psychological, and no one person can manage it all. By working w ith the family to institute a good team or care, the burden can be lifted off the family and this will ideally allow them to care for their loved one without becoming burdened or overwhelmed. It is important to consult the family regarding any spiritual support that they would feel comforting. Is there a minister or spiritual guide currently in their life?If not, would they be open too visit from someone that is akin to their spiritual values? These are questions that should be carefully addressed. C. Nursing Care Plan for Mrs.. Thomas Assessment: Mrs.. Thomas is a 56 year-old female with a history of breast cancer. Mrs.. Thomas is aired with two grown sons, aged 28 and 30 both of which live out of state. Mrs.. Thomas has a strong familial history of braes cancer and one year ago, was treated for a malignant mass in her right breast.After a right mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation six months ago, the cancer has now returned with subsequent right sided mastectomy, chemotherapy an d radiation. The cancer has now metastasis's to the lungs and the prognosis is now deemed to be â€Å"poor† with â€Å"palliative care now being recommended†. (Task 2). Diagnosis Number One: Acute Pain related to incision secondary to surgical intervention as evidenced by tangent's visible discomfort/crying in bed, pallor, respirations, blood pressure and a report of 8/10 pain. Goal 1.Patient will verbalize a pain rating of 4 or less on a scale of 10 with each assessment. 2. Pain control as evidenced by patient demonstrating ability to use analgesics appropriately, use alternative non-analgesic relief, reported pain to be mild, relaxed body language, vital signs returning to normal Plan 1. Analgesic pain medication as prescribed by physician (Swearing) 2. Use of diversionary and or strategies to assist with pain (SHE Nursing Care Plan Guide) 3. Assist patient with positioning for comfort Implement .Evaluated effect of medication, utilize pain scale 2. Assessed effectiv eness of diversionary strategies (SHE Nursing Care Plan Guide) 3. Assisted with position changes Diagnosis Number Two: Activity Intolerance related to generalized weakness as evidenced by increasing fatigue Goal 1. The nurse will help fascinate a physical therapist to help with mobility 2.. Will ambulate IX around block daily Patient 3.. Patient will fully participate in Tall's within physical limitations without dizziness or change in vital signs by 8/1/14 1 .Assess patient's level of mobility, educate within patient's capability 2. Assess nutritional status. Adequate energy reserves are required for activity. (Swearing) 3. Ambulate patient XX a day 1. Educated patient on benefits of mobility and the proper body mechanics for mobility 2. Encourage nutrition prior to activity and the proper body mechanics for mobility Monsoon) 3. Ambulated patient XX daily Diagnosis Number 3: Ineffective Coping related to financial burden and emotional impact of diagnosis on family as evidenced by p atient's increasing isolation 1.Set up a quality interdisciplinary team incorporating counseling services for the family 2. Patient will demonstrate problem solving techniques Monsoon) 3. Patient ill verbalize acceptance of diagnosis 1. Patient will utilize available support systems and work with counselor for socio psych issues 2. Assist client to identify priorities and attainable goals as he/she starts to plan for necessary lifestyle and role changes 3. Perform actions to facilitate the grieving process (Elsevier) 1. Patient met with counseling services 2. Patient identified priorities and set goals 3.Patient demonstrated knowledge of the 5 stages of grief and how to work through them In order to optimize Mrs.. Thomas functional ability, the care team should strive for all three of the goals in her plan of care to be met. First of all, her pain needs to be managed so that manipulation can be successful, without discomfort. It is quite common for patients to be concerned about bec oming addicted to pain medication as in the case of Mrs.. Thomas. Addiction is â€Å"psychological dependence† on a drug and is not the same as tolerance or physical dependence, according to Oncologist, Dry.Gary Johansson who states that â€Å"In fact, addiction is rare when avoids are used for pain relief†. With proper education and regularly scheduled pain medication, Mrs.. Thomas should be much more comfortable and able to manage other areas of her life more successfully. Once Mrs.. Thomas' pain is under control, she will be able to work through many of the stresses that have mounted since her diagnosis. As Mrs.. Thomas disease progresses, there will come a time when she will no longer be able to care for herself. A new Plan of Care should be created and ready to transition to at that time.At this time the interdisciplinary team should consist of a hospice care which is generally implemented when a patient has less than 6 months to live. When hospice is begun, all c are is transferred to the hospice team. New orders for care, medication, equipment will be set up and time is given to the family or supporting both the patient and their loved ones. Care will focus on making the most out of the time they have left, â€Å"without some of the negative side-effects that life prolonging treatments can have†. Monsoon).Most hospice patients can attain a level of comfort that allows them to â€Å"concentrate on the emotional and practical issues of dying†. Willet-Legislations). Mr.. Thomas is carrying a big physical and emotional burden during his wife's terminal illness. The Thomas family's case is complicated by Mr.. Thomas' chronic depression and high stress occupation. As Mrs.. Thomas' needs escalate and change, so do the needs of the Mr.. Thomas. By facilitating psychological help for Mr.. Thomas, the care team is in turn helping Mrs.. Thomas by easing her worries about her spouse.Patients and families need support, guidance, and encour agement to begin planning for many decisions. Many spouses are weighted with concern about the patients' comfort and impending death as well as every day problems. â€Å"This is an emotionally intense, exhausting, and singular experience, set in a world apart from everyday life patterns†. (Siegel). Mr.. Thomas needs to be reminded that in order to help care and be emotionally supportive to his wife, he needs to take care of himself. Medication reminders and grief support should be set up for Mr.. Thomas.Therapeutic conversation and guidance can make all the difference for the significant other off terminal patient. In addition, Mr.. Thomas needs respite care so that he can be fully present while caring for his wife. Mr.. Thomas should be encouraged to take a walk, a nap, or a restorative A care plan for Mr.. Thomas could be initiated with a nursing diagnosis of: Risk for Caregiver Role Strain. (SHE). Goal: Spouse will report low or no feelings of burden or distress by 8/01/14 , measured by relief stated by spouse. Plan: Encourage the caregiver to talk about feelings, concerns, uncertainties, and fears.Acknowledge the frustration associated with caregiver responsibilities. Initiate counseling. 2. Help the caregiver problem solve to meet his needs. 3. Set up medication reminders for psychological medications. Implement: 1. Patient openly discusses concerns, uncertainties and fears (SHE). Patient acknowledges frustrations associated with his caregiver responsibilities. Patient attends counseling. 2. Patient participates in problem solving to meet his needs. 3. Patient follows medication reminders and takes medications for his depression.