Introduction

For a long time, people of color have been mistreated and overlooked. They have been cast as being successful in only the entertainment and sports industry. People of color have been overlooked for bigger and better positions for decades, because their superiors believe that they are not good enough for the positions of manager, doctor, partner and the liked for decades now. For people of color, it is more than just about breaking the glass ceiling, they need to cross the cultural barrier as well, and that includes racial discrimination at the workplace.

Racial Discrimination In Nursing Profession

Unfortunately, racial discrimination does not start at the corporate level. It begins at the admissions office in college. It is a widely known fact that people of color have a lower acceptance rate to Ivy league schools and college in general. Not because they are lacking in skills or smarts. But because admissions administrators and boards favor white students over non-white applicants. This is a problem that the Obama administration tried to curb through the that the Trump administration has recently made a move to eradicate and reduce the little advantage Obama had secured for ethnic students to access high-quality education.

As a result, fewer ethnic students make it into pre-med and med class to graduate as doctors and nurses. Every graduate is an achievement to be celebrated in the ethnic communities. This means that, by reversing the Obama administration laws that made the admissions process in schools an even playing field, the new laws will keep the process at an unequal and unfair advantage for white students. Making the workforce for the nurses at a higher percentage for more white nurses as compared to non-white nurses.

This has negative effects that can be seen in patients who prefer t have white doctors attend to them instead of a non-white. In the same case, they would also prefer white nurses because of a misconception that the non-whites are not as qualified. Many a time the patients may deny it, but It comes down to the color of their skin. In another scenario, nurses of an ethnic background may feel isolated and lonely being the only one on their team or shift being a person of color. It can be difficult to relate with people of a different background who do not share the same experiences, heritage or history as you.

More than that, being the only different one it is easier to be singled out for harder tasks, or unwanted shifts that to be thrown your way. Collaborating with others can be difficult in an unfriendly environment. The workplace then becomes a place full of tension and stress, rather than a fulfilling atmosphere for vocational work to take place. This ultimately results in a high turnover for people of color, who are often put in uncomfortable situations both at work and in a society that pushes them to relinquish their jobs for peace of mind and seek better opportunities.

Racial discrimination in nursing is a factor. The perception is that only people of color can or should work as nurses because it is a job secondary to a doctor. A caregiver is expected to be black or Hispanic. When the roles are reversed, some patients are surprised or taken aback even. This shows that the level of discrimination does not only exist in the industry but it has also become a social norm. Sometimes, patients make derogatory requests like “I don’t want colored nurses in my room”. The hospitals are then forced to abide to please the patients and protect personnel from potentially a volatile patient.

This goes two ways, one the patient fails to receive sufficient care in the event a ‘colored nurse’ is the only one available, and the second is the nurse walks around with a heavy heart from racial discrimination and prejudice in the workplace. Serving up a negative impact for all parties involved.

How does having a friendly face in hospital help?

A friendly face is good to see anywhere. Whether you are walking in the street or using public transport. Even when someone bumps into you, a friendly smile and an apology quickly smooth out the what could have been an angry altercation. A smile is the best medicine. Scientifically, it has been proven that certain gestures send messages to the brain that ultimately ‘cheat it’ to respond differently from how you are actually feeling.

If you smile long enough, your nerves eventually relax and you can enjoy the moment. Stand or sit in a power pose to exude confidence, and start feeling confident. Smiling has several benefits and one of them is to improve mood. When working in a hospital, it is easy to feel miserable surrounded by sickness and seeing suffering. However, a kind smile can be a smile of assurance that things will get better. For patients and nurses who experience anxiety and feelings of depression, a smile is on way to feel better.

Lower Blood Pressure & Stress Reliever

A smile can help lower blood pressure. This is related to negative feelings of stress and depression among others that can cause your blood pressure to spiral. High blood pressure is directly related to how you feel and smiling can elevate a bad mood. When it comes to patients who are facing chronic illness, those who may it be in pain or having mental challenges, take time to talk to them. Cracking a funny joke makes both of you feel better, even if it is just to forget your problems at the moment.

As expressed above, smiling is a stress reliever. Smile until you feel those endorphins spread through your body and cause a genuine smile to appear on your face. There is a saying that goes, ‘if it not okay, it is not the end’. As a nurse, it is always good to have an open friendly face when communicating. It lets patients know that they will recover well.

Better Relationships

At any given time, a moody person with negative comments does not receive a lot of positive feedback. There are people who are more patient with others and they could be more willing to accommodate such people. However, in a hospital, a negative comment, reply or attitude can easily delay recovery or worsen a patient’s condition. Smiling improves relationships between co-workers and doctor/nurse-patient confidentiality. Overall, the patients are willing to be more honest and open with a friendly nurse or doctor who has a positive attitude.

Stronger Immune

Doctors also believe that smiling and having a positive attitude is key it a stronger immune system. It is clear being miserable and having a negative attitude can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. While depression Is a clinical disorder, it would be helpful to avoid falling into a depression by having a positive attitude, irrespective of the circumstances. As a result, it can also aid in pain relief. Try laughing instead of crying the next time you stub your toe on a stool. You may not feel the pain as acutely.

Longer Life

It turns out the elixir for life is a smile. You do not need to find an alchemist to have a happy healthy life. Just smile and keep a positive attitude. It is easier said than done when you are faced with a life-threatening disease or are in chronic pain. However, having a positive attitude even in the most trying times has helped many people live longer solely through their fighting spirit and positive mentality.

It is also good to note that, when you are positive more people are attracted to you. They are attracted to kindness, generosity and happiness, all that radiates from having a smile on your face. It is possible that the bubbliest nurse and doctor are the ones most highly sought after in the wards by patients.

Introduction

Doctors need a helping hand. Their work is demanding and important. There is nothing more important than helping and healing another human being. This is why doctors are revered and respected by many. Their profession is taxing and demanding. However, nurses have the hard task and privilege of carrying out their instructions to perform the required treatment for the patients. They also get the chance to learn a lot from their superiors and get the opportunity to get better at their own practice.

Benefits of Allowing a Nurse to Prescribe Antibiotics

In that case, the nurse who worked for a selected period of time under a doctor’s watchful eye with good experience and merit should be allowed to prescribe antibiotics without seeking the doctor’s permission first. Of course, this should be done under advisor ship. If the doctors have confidence in the nurse’s skills and knowledge, then he or she should be allowed to do this. More than that, other nurses with similar experience and merit should be able to do the same at the appropriate time.

This will definitely ease the burden of doctors when they are short staffed attending to several patients at a time. The nurses can lend a helping hand by attending to patients as well and then, prescribing drugs after making a diagnosis. For nurses, this will also allow them to attend to heir work and patients faster without having to wait for a doctor’s approval first. This can delay patient treatment, and as a result prolong their suffering from illness.

That said, doctors should be accountable for the nurses whom they approve off to prescribe medication to patients. Their show of confidence should come as a result of years of experience together, paying careful attention to diagnosis and treatment. However, nurses are already well versed in medicine having pursued sciences before graduating from nursing school. This can be a point for the nurses to also further their education to cement a solid foundation in their capabilities. Instead of being viewed as a risky move.

The debate goes both ways, some medical practitioners view nurses being given the permission to prescribe drugs as a cheap alternative. Only acceptable if a country has a shortage. While others say that it cuts patients waiting time and is effective in administering treatment faster for ailing patients. Nevertheless, some doctors are not convinced. Citing that it takes doctors five years of study and practice before they are able to make a precise diagnosis. Let alone a nurse, without medical training in drug prescription.

However, there is an answer to this critique, whereby nurses are required to take a postgraduate training course and then given the rights to do so as described previously. It instills confidence in all parties involved, doctors’ nurses and the patients themselves. Knowing someone has gotten the right qualifications to treat, give advice and procure treatment for your specific illness gives great comfort to the ailing.

There are some nurses who also desire the powers of prescribing drugs to patients. For these independent nurses, they have to undergo more education to be able to acquire this right. In the UK this includes a 26-day theory course and 12 days of mentored practice. Including five assignments. The scope of drugs they are allowed to prescribe from is less than those of the hospital nurses. As for another group who identify as ‘community practitioner nurse prescribers’, their list of medication is limited as they undergo even less training.

Conclusion

With the good comes the bad, although nurse prescription poses great benefits, practitioners are still voicing concerns due to high prescription rates for long-term conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Calling the whole issue premature due to its lack of extensive evaluation. However, in developing nations, this is a plus for healthcare facilities. Seeing a nurse for an illness and filling a prescription of the same cuts costs and saves on precious time.

Introduction

It is a well-known fact that in today’s capitalist society, money comes first. Companies and individuals want to make a profit from wherever they can, even if someone has to suffer along the way. The business carries the day. In a money minded world, it is not surprising to hear about corruption, learn about scams and fraudulent undertakings to line the pockets of the wealthy at the expense of the poor. Pharmaceuticals, just like government offices and conglomerates are not immune to the bad reputation of the money first mentality.

Sick victims will accuse their companies of working them too hard with little pay. Patients will accuse pharmaceuticals of administering medicines that made them sicker. Why? For an extra buck. To profit from another man’s illness. Some will go as far as to accuse the same pharmaceutical giants of treating diseases and with-holding the cure, to churn a profit in the billions. The pharmaceutical industry is rich and complicated.

Pharmaceutical Companies

When then, do they start looking out for the poor man? How can they balance their need for profit, with a goal for restored full health? The pharmaceutical industry is being pushed to establish a duty of care attitude by the society and government after several lawsuits filed against them every year. The duty of care attitude is an obvious one, put people first. However, with shareholders and investors at bay, it may be hard to implement the utilitarian strategy.

The time for pharmaceuticals is currently difficult, enough for them to start reconsidering their business models. There are several concerns due to strained government budgets for health care and they also need to learn and adopt new technology. Recently technology has been a mode of conveying services to customers in a more convenient way. Citing cheaper, faster and more quality services online and via phone. Adopting a favorable tech business model to improve customer service for hospitals, healthcare facilities and the ill can be a good way o start building goodwill again.

It is also an opportunity to make money if it is executed in a smart way, perhaps through remittance fees and the likes. Pricing models can also be adjusted to represent the true market value of drugs. Today there are several generic drugs available in the market that customers can buy at half the price of the original that will do the same job. These drugs appeal to customers because they are pocket-friendly. Adjusting prices of the more expensive drugs will enable more access to sick patients, and competition between the two drug categories. The stifling rules and bureaucratic processes also need to change to make a positive change in the pharmaceutical industry for the benefit of the sick.

Pharmaceuticals have also been known to use a silo management system. Meaning the different levels are cut off from the rest. Research and development exist separately from commercial, which is separated from the production department and the supply chain section as well. This kind of management is dysfunctional in the way that the business is run, it eliminates free communication which could lead to better market positioning and client satisfaction. More than that, access to each of these departments freely can breed inefficiency and obstruct patient access.

This causes dissatisfaction on both ends, because the customer will not buy from a detached seller, and as a result, there will be no profit making. Today consumers are very well informed of the medication prescribed and even of the illnesses they experience. In the age of information, consumerism has advanced and consumers are playing a critical role in the medication they take now more than ever. The change in consumer behavior is affecting the pharmaceuticals, policymakers, and payors.

Conclusion

Consumers are having more of a say in the kind of drugs being manufactured, return on research investment and the role they play in patient compliance. It comes down to being more humane in a capitalist world.