Question

Some problems or opportunities are internal to a company or organization. Some problems or opportunities, especially in professions that interact with the public like social work, nursing, healthcare administration, business, the creative arts, are external—in the community or borough where your clients or customers reside.

What is an unsolved or not completely solved problem in your community or borough that you would like to see addressed? Or, what is an opportunity in your community or borough that you would like to capitalize on?

How might you address this problem, or capitalize on this opportunity, as a Registered Nurse ?

What solution have other professionals in your field already established?

How might you tweak or add to this solution?

Compose a grant proposal of at least 7–10 single-spaced pages that delineates a problem, the methods used to confirm the analysis of this problem, and a solution (or, an opportunity, methods used to exploit this opportunity, what will capitalize on this opportunity).

Imagine yourself in a workplace related to your field and a new program will carry out the solution with these new funds. You will need to research and select a grant-making organization that provides funds to workplaces like yours.

Need a cover letter:

• Clear, concise overview of the organization
• Purpose
• Reason for funding amount
• How does your proposal fulfill the grant-maker’s mission and goals?

The summary:

• Summarize key information
  • Contact information
  • Purpose of funding request
  • Need/problem
  • Objectives
  • Methods
  • Evaluation
  • Budget
  • Amount requested
• Persuade the grant-maker to consider your proposal

Answer 1

Nursing has come a very long way in the past century. However some of the challenges highlighted by nurse leaders in the late 1800’s to early1900’s, still face the profession a century later even though their exact nature might be somewhat different. Throughout the history of nursing, most of the challenges can be linked to the gender and class barriers faced by women in society and the ever present economic demands of the healthcare industry.

1. Shortage of nurses

The shortage of nurses is a global issue discussed on an almost daily basis in reports from across the world, but this is not a new problem. Throughout the past century the recruitment and retention of nurses have not kept up with the ever-increasing demands placed on health care; the growing need for specialized services; as well as population growth, including the aging population leading to more patients with chronic diseases. Added to these factors have been the persistent economic challenges in the healthcare industry and the growing number of other career opportunities for women.

“…THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE TIME WHEN THE VALUE OF TRAINED NURSES IN HOSPITALS AND THE COMMUNITY WAS RECOGNIZED.”

2. Inadequate conditions of service for nurses

Recruitment and retention in the nursing profession have always been linked to nurses’ working conditions – long hours, heavy workloads, low salaries compared to other professions and a lack of recognition of their essential contribution. While fair hours of work have been standardized to a large extent, nurses are increasingly called on to work mandatory overtime due to staff shortages and economic restraints. Nurses across the world are also still struggling for salaries which match their qualifications, skills, and contributions to health services.

3. The role of nurses vs. doctors

Today, nurses are mostly recognized as professional practitioners with their unique role within the health care team. However, opposition to regulatory advances such as those for extended roles of nurses and their right to prescribe within the scope of their advanced training still comes mainly from groups within the medical profession. Wherever nurses were campaigning for state registration in the early 1900’s resistance also came primarily from the medical profession.

4. How and where nurses should be educated

Only over the last few decades has professional nursing education been firmly placed within the system of higher education in most countries in the world. On the basis of solid research, demonstrating the value of highly qualified nurses in reducing patient complications and deaths, government authorities are accepting that courses for professional nurses should be at least four years, preferably at the baccalaureate level. However, there is still some resistance to this development mainly from hospital authorities, and in some countries, there has been a proliferation in training lower categories of nurses.

5. Professional recognition through licensure and registration

The issue of state registration or licensure for nurses has been resolved in most parts of the world although there are still countries where the International Council of Nurses (ICN) are assisting local nursing organizations and governments to establish an effective regulation of the profession. This body also has a formal regulatory network which monitors and advises on nursing management globally. The purpose of registration has always been to protect the public from those who were untrained or had minimal training, as well as to provide nurses who had proper formal training with a form of recognition.

6. Nursing advocacy in the health of communities

“Nurses – A Voice to Lead” was this year’s ICN theme for nurses’ day. All nurses, wherever they find themselves, were encouraged to take an active role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Nurses are the largest group of healthcare professionals, serving even in the most remote areas. Because nurses are the health care workers most closely involved with patients, their families, and communities, they have intimate knowledge of the underlying causes of ill-health. Using their voice in activism and innovation they can bring real change to the health of communities.

“NURSES ARE THE LARGEST GROUP OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, SERVING EVEN IN THE MOST REMOTE AREAS.”

7. LONG SHIFTS

Nurses are often required to work more long hours. It can be due to the hospital being short-staffed or management cutting costs. Whichever the reason, Nurses, working longer than they're supposed to, is detrimental. It can affect the quality of care they deliver, and it can also put their health at risk.

When Nurses work extended hours, they aren't resting properly and aren't letting their bodies recover. for example, many Nurses who take extended shifts suffer from chronic back, leg and shoulder pain. Some of them even develop long-term medical conditions, like diabetes and cardiovascular issues.

By not being well-rested, you can suffer from daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and impaired mental function. It can affect your ability to make proper decisions, which can compromise your patients’ safety.

8: SALARY

The compensations Nurses receive depend on many factors. Aside from specialty, their place of work tends to affect the salary they get, as well. Having a higher degree counts as well. Salary is a common reason why Nurses leave a hospital.

9: DISCRIMINATION

Nurses eating their young isn’t an entirely new thing. In fact, this has been around for ages.

Being a new Nurse is intimidating and you have to adjust to many new things. Apart from the skills you have to gain, you also have to learn how to cope with how the Nursing system in your hospital works.

Unfortunately, not all veteran Nurses are that welcoming. These attitudes tend to dull the enthusiasm of new Nurses enough to make them question themselves if they made the right career choice. You are all on the same team, strengthen your team by welcoming new Nurses and being a little more patient with them.

10: JOB HAZARDS

Working in the hospital puts nurses in a lot of work hazards. Take, for example, being exposed to infected body fluids. Apart from that, lifting patients of all sizes can also put your safety at risk. Nurses also have to deal with sharps and needles and running on slippery floors during emergencies

11: BEING SHORT STAFFED

This can bring professional and personal issues. When a hospital is short-staffed, you’re left with no other option but to take on more shifts, cover for your co-nurses’ absences, and miss out on important life occasions. Your social life can suffer, too.

Short staffing is one of the most common reasons why nurses experience burnout. Nursing is already a stressful job and not having enough time to relax and care for yourself can make you feel more frustrated and unsatisfied with your job.

-Advancement Opportunities for Registered Nurses

The career of nursing is a highly respected field, and there is a great demand for highly skilled nurses around the globe today.

1:There Is a Major Nursing Shortage

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a shortage of about 800,000 nurses by 2020. The population of the world is living much longer and will need to have more medical care. So, hospitals and medical facilities are always looking for nurses. Some places of employment will pay $10,000 sign on bonuses and more for the most experienced nurses.

2 Job Flexibility Is High

There are few jobs that have the flexibility of nursing. You can work when you want and where you want. You can take time off for work and find work fast when you want to come back to the field. You can work three days in a row and have four days off, and be full time employed, too.

3 Enjoy Strong Personal Satisfaction

The field of nursing is one of the most respected fields in the world. Nurses are the key link between doctors and patients. Every situation is different, but many times the patient will interact a great deal more with the nurse than the doctor. Many nurses find that this is one of the most personally rewarding fields they can imagine.

4 Work in Many Locations

You may work in a city hospital, in the suburbs or in a rural area. You can work in any state and any country in the world. If you become a freelance consulting nurse, you can travel to work in most cities in America for a few days, weeks or months, and then move on to another place. You will find there is nursing work available wherever you go.

5 Enjoy Career Mobility

After you become an RN, you can go in many directions in your career. You can work in the justice system as a legal nurse consultant, or in trauma care or wound care. You might work as a writer, teacher or a researcher. There are no end of options when you become a nurse.

6 High Salaries

The median wage for nurses is almost $50,000, according to BLS. If you become a nurse practitioner, you can earn over $60,000 in median pay. You also can earn time and a half for working on holidays and weekends. Nurses who work in advanced practice can earn up to $90,000.

7 Good As a Second Career Choice

Nursing is one of the most popular second careers. The field offers relatively good pay, and you easily can increase your earnings by working more hours, and working on holidays and weekends. There are many professionals who retire from their first career and continue to work part time as a nurse to supplement their income.