A Registered Nurse's Worth

In Alberta, Canada, several Registered Nurse positions and Licensed Practical Nurse positions are being cut and replaced with health care aides. In the past, there was always the RN vs LPN debate as LPNs are cheaper to hire than RNs but RNs had a more broader knowledge and have better critical thinking skills as RNs have a 4 year baccalaureate degree as compared to an LPN who has a 2 year diploma. Again LPNs are very competent professionals and are able to do most of the skills and roles of an RN, but

"RN care is more necessary when a patient’s health care needs are complex, acute and unpredictable. Adding more RNs to the acute-care hospital workforce can help save thousands of lives a year" (expertcaring.ca).

There has been studies to prove that care provided by an RN shortens hospital stays, improve health outcomes, and actually helps the province save money. Although it is perfectly acceptable to have a good staffing mix with RNs and LPNs because let's face it, we don't have enough money to staff hospital units with all RNs. But to totally replace RNs and LPNs with health care aides with only a 6-month certificate is plain reckless. I do not know what made our health care officials even think of doing such a thing. Sure there is a budget deficit of $2 billion, but sacrificing the health and safety of Albertans is unacceptable. It has been reported that Alberta has $100-plus million in surplus, but they still decided to cut-back on essential front line staff and services.

I only hope that this decision doesn't have a long-term and permanent negative outcome for Albertans. I feel powerless as things unfold, but all I can do is grit my teeth and hope for the best.


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Resources:

• http://www.una.ab.ca/190/elimination-of-frontline-nurses-in-edmonton-adds-to-provincial-total
• http://www.expertcaring.ca
• http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Alberta+Health+Services+surplus+cause+concern+minister/8618432/story.html
• http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/Alberta+Health+Services+executive+bonuses/8614878/story.html

Promoting English as a Second Language and its Importance

English is a language that is widely used in many areas of the world primarily because of the influence the United States has. Whether it is economical or practical, many will practice English in other countries in order to conduct business with Americans. In the states, promoting English as a Second Language will have the same effect on those who have migrated to North America. Although we may have translators available in order to help other nationalities communicate with others inside the U.S., there are times where a translator is not available. For a person to be completely independent and successful in any country, he or she needs to learn the native language.

1. Employment - Although many immigrants are able to find employment as the employer has a translator or can speak the language themselves, it is still vital to learn the native language to eliminate confusion. One should never aspire to be the bottom rung on the ladder and failure to communicate with potential employers or supervisors could keep a foot solidly adhered to that rung.

2. Social Relationships - Enjoying the company of others doesn't have to be restricted to those who speak the same language. There is a great deal of potential relationships that could alter one's life for the better if they only knew how to communicate with them. Instead of being isolated from interacting with the majority of the people in any given location, learning to speak the language could put a person in the middle of the festivities.

3. Economical Communication - Instead of limiting choices of shopping to those places that speak your language, wouldn't it be nice to have the ability to visit other retail sites? Better deals that could save you money, better selections, and more could be a strong point in learning the native language.

Ordering food at restaurants could be a chore that results in ordering the wrong food. If communication isn't possible, one could spend his or her days isolated at home without experiencing fine foods. It's all about understanding information about a specific product and knowing if it's what you want.

4. Entertainment - Although you could rely on subtext and translations in movies, you could lose something in the context. Music, arts, and more rely heavily on the ability to communicate to a spectator and being without the knowledge of the native language could leave you without the inspiration that could come from the entertainment.

Regardless of what method is used to promote English as a Second Language, it is a necessity in order to fully communicate the needs and wants of a person. Foreign individuals need to understand how vital learning the native tongue of a country is. Without communication, an experience by a foreign individual could be less than ideal.

Author Bio:

Paul Taylor started www.babysittingjobs.com which offers an aggregated look at those sites to help families find sitters and to help sitters find families easier than ever. He loves writing, with the help of her wife he has contributed quality articles for different blogs & websites.