How to Use Online Dating Apps Safely

How to Use Online Dating Apps Safely Relationships Print How to Use Online Dating Apps Safely By Sherri Gordon facebook twitter Sherri Gordon is a published author and a bullying prevention expert. Learn about our editorial policy Sherri Gordon Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on January 28, 2020 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW on January 28, 2020 iStockphoto More in Relationships Spouses & Partners LGBTQ Violence and Abuse In This Article Table of Contents Expand Cold, Hard Facts About Online Dating Choosing the Best App for You Staying Safe While Using Dating Apps View All Back To Top Over the past several years, the popularity of online dating has skyrocketed compared to where it originally started. In fact, dating apps and websites have given single people a convenient new way to connect with people. But, with this ease of use comes some new issues, particularly in the form of safety. For instance, interacting with strangers online can put you at risk for identity theft, online harassment, stalking, digital dating abuse, catfishing, and other scams. And, if you do decide to meet up in real life (IRL) with someone you met online, there also is the chance that you could find yourself in physical danger as well. To make navigating the online dating scene a little easier and safer, we have compiled a list of important facts about online dating. We also have put together some tips for selecting the best app for you as well as included keys to staying safe in the online dating world. Cold, Hard Facts About Online Dating Whether you are new to online dating, or you consider yourself a pro, it helps to have a clear understanding of what dating apps offer including how often they are used, how they are viewed by others, and even how honest people are when building their profiles. Here is everything you need to know about the online dating industry. Online dating is growing in popularity According to the eHarmony website, an online dating program for Christian singles, more than 40 million Americans are using online dating websites. 40% of Americans use online dating as a way to meet new people. Whats more, 27% of young adults report using online dating sites, which is a 10% increase from 2013. Researchers speculate that this increase is due to the fact that dating apps are now available on smartphones. Meanwhile, online dating among 55 to 64-year-olds has also risen substantially with 12% indicating they use online dating sites compared to only 6% in 2013. Online dating has lost some of its stigmas In 2005, when the Pew Research Center first studied online dating habits, most Americans felt it was a subpar way of meeting people. But in their most recent study, nearly half of the public either knows someone who uses online dating or has met a spouse or partner through online dating. Still, 23% of Americans still think people who use online dating sites are desperate. People lie when using online dating sites To some, it probably comes as no surprise that people lie when creating their online dating profiles. But a whopping 53% of Americans tell little white lies when developing their online profiles according to a survey conducted by the global research firm, Opinion Matters. Overall, women tend to post younger photos of themselves while claiming to be thinner. Meanwhile, men tend to embellish the truth when it comes to their careers attempting to appear more successful than they really are. Some online daters assume you just want to hook up Research suggests that many men who use online dating apps assume that women are looking for sex. But studies have shown that is not the case. For instance, the majority of Tinders female users are looking for a genuine match and not a fling, even though the app has earned the reputation as being the hook up app. In fact, 60% of Tinders female users are looking for a relationship and do not want to hook up, according to informal research conducted by the Huffington Post. Whats more, Statistic Brain reports that only 33% of women using online dating websites say they have sex on their first date with an online match. Is Casual Dating Good for Relationships? Statistically, Online Relationships Dont Last According to research conducted by Michigan State University, relationships that begin online are nearly 30% more likely to break down than relationships that began through a mutual friend or where couples met face-to-face first. And for couples who met online and then got married, the chances of that relationship working out are even gloomier, with online couples three times as likely to get divorced. Online Dating Can Be De-Humanizing The Association of Psychological Science says many people treat online dating like shopping. They swipe through photos looking for the perfect mate often dismissing someone more quickly than they would have had they first met the person face-to-face. Consequently, the researchers warn that online dating can make you picky and judgmental. Some People Really Are Finding Love Online According to Statistic Brains Online Dating Industry Report, 20% of committed relationships began online. Whats more, they say that 17% of couples that were married in the last year met on a dating website. Meanwhile, Pew Research Center reports that two-thirds of online daters have gone out with someone they were matched with. But, they also found that one-third of people who have used online dating have never actually gone on a date. So, the odds of meeting someone online are improving. Choosing the Best App for You When it comes to selecting the best online dating app for you, reading reviews and comparing apps can get confusing, especially when the features and options not only vary widely but are constantly changing and evolving as developers change and improve the apps. And with more than 7,500 dating apps worldwide, there definitely are a lot to choose from. But, it doesnt have to be overwhelming. Follow these few simple steps to help you find the best app for you. Review the Safety Features Online dating can be a risky endeavor because there are so many unknowns. Consequently, you want to be sure that the app you select has some built-in safety features. Ideally, the app will promote its safety guidelines on the sign-up page. But if they do not, or if the safety guidelines are particularly hard to find, you may want to find a different app. Check Out the Reporting and Blocking Features Lets face it, when it comes to online dating, you are going to meet a few weirdos along the way - people that either creep you out or are just downright toxic. When this happens, you want to be able to report their behavior as well as block them from contacting you. For this reason, it is important to know upfront about how the app provides these features. And, if for some reason, there are no reporting or blocking features, then move on to the next app. Determine the Level of Visibility the App Provides When reviewing an app, check to see if you are able to control the visibility of your profile. Ideally, you want an app that allows more options to secure your profile. The less you have, the more exposed your information is on the Internet. For instance, the app, Hinge, offers several options for users to control who they see and who sees them. Just remember, the more options an app provides in this area, the better. Avoid Sites and Apps That Allow Messaging Prior to Matching No one likes receiving unwanted photos or creepy messages, which certainly is a possibility within dating apps. As a result, it is best to select an app that requires both people to have an interest before messaging can take place. This way, you can reduce the number of unwanted messages you get and limit it to only the people you want to be communicating with. Pay Attention to the Geography Settings Many online dating apps use your location as a way of allowing you to find possible matches. However, make sure the app allows you to some control over this setting. It is never a good idea to have an app that allows complete strangers to pinpoint where you are or even find your specific neighborhood. Sharing that kind of information just sets you up for problems. Look for Free Trials and Free Versions Most dating apps have both a free version and a paid version. As a result, you shouldnt shell out for the paid membership before you even know if you like the app or if it will be useful. Whats more, having the free version is not going to keep you from meeting new people. When you are first starting out, it can be a lot more beneficial to try several different apps to see what works rather than purchasing the premium membership before you have even taken it for a test drive. Plus, dating apps can get expensive if you are paying $10 to $25 a month for the service. Reconsider Apps That Link to Social Media Most dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge allow people to share data from their social media profiles. This is mostly harmless, but be aware of how much information is revealed on your dating profile as a result. Remember, you do not know the people on the dating app and giving them access to your social media profile like photos of your family could be risky, especially if you are a single parent. You also want to keep where you went to school, where you hang out, and even your employer private. Making this information available means that even after you have blocked people through the app, they still could still find you and harass you through social media. Staying Safe While Using Dating Apps While you are never to blame if someone behaves in a predatory or disrespectful way toward you in the online dating world, there are things you can do to stay safe. Here are some useful safety tips you can put into practice right away to help you be more mindful. Use a Unique Photo When developing your dating profile, avoid using the same photo that you have on your social media accounts. If you use the same photo as your Facebook photo or your Instagram page, it is really easy for someone to do a reverse image search with Google. As a result, if you are using the same photo on all your accounts, it is much easier for someone to find you on social media. Leave Out the Personal Details When developing your online dating profile, make sure you do not include your last name, contact information, nicknames, or social media handles. You want to keep the personal details to a minimum. After all, if you come across someone who is a little on the creepy side, you dont want them having too much information about you. You may even want to tighten the security on your social media accounts to add another layer of protection. For instance, on Facebook change your page to where everything is private and only able to be viewed by Friends, not Friends of Friends. Stay Inside the App When you are messaging with a potential date, or even after a few dates, it is best to message one another inside the app. Although this might be inconvenient, if something doesnt work out, you do not have to worry about the fact that the person has your cell number. Whats more, staying inside the app provides you with an extra layer of protection. Some messaging systems with dating apps do not allow people to send photos or links, which can really reduce the number of unwanted photos you get. Set Up a Google Phone Number Eventually, you will want to talk with someone on the phone, either after you have met or beforehand. But instead of giving out your cell number, consider getting a Google phone number and forwarding it to your phone. It is pretty easy to set up. Once you log in to Google Voice, you simply choose your area code and select an available number. The instructions on the rest of the set-up process are pretty simple to follow. Take Precautions When Meeting IRL Avoid letting someone know exactly where you live. Instead, arrange to meet in a public place and provide your own transportation. You also should let a close friend know where you will be and when you will be home. You want your friends to know as much information as possible should something go wrong. Once on your date, be sure you stay aware and alert. Do not leave your drink unattended and keep the first few dates short. You may even want to bring a self-defense tool with you such as pepper spray or a high-powered flashlight. And, if the person you are meeting is making you uncomfortable or scared, enlist the help of a friend in leaving the situation. Remember, you should never feel bad about putting your safety first. Even if you have to do something rude to escape a situation, you need to make sure you are safe. Tips to Help You Date More Mindfully

Summary Of The Joy Of Reading And Writing By Sherman Alexie

The Key to Prosperity: For A Native American Sherman Alexie the author of the essay The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me was born and raised on a Spokane Indian Reservation. Growing up his family did not have a lot of money, yet today Alexie is known as one of the most prominent Native American writers. Alexie reminisces on his childhood when he first taught himself how to read. In the essay The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me Sherman Alexie suggests, that for Native Americans reading is the key to education and education is the key to prosperity in life. Alexies father was the reason he began to read which later became his passion. His father loved to read, and even though they did not have a ton of†¦show more content†¦They would make him stay quiet in class because most of them did not like to speak during class with their non-Indian teacher. Even though at home they would talk nonstop about anything. These kids did not grow up to have opportuniti es they could have had because they were not given a proper education. The non-Indian teachers did not push the kids to learn and they did not care about their students education. The kids knew that they were expected to fail with their education, and they grew up knowing it was okay to fail because they were Indian. However, Alexie did not accept that. He knew he could pass and that he was smart, so he challenged himself to learn out of the classroom. Reading became the center of his education; he read late into the night, at recess, during lunch, after class, and whenever he could make time to. As a boy he read everything he could find with words on it including all the books his dad had at home, newspapers, library books, cereal boxes, posters, manuals. Even though he loved books he knew reading saved his education and his entire life. His future was opened up to new opportunities because he was educated. Through personal experience I have learned that an education does truly help you succeed in life. Growing up I have had a good education system and been able to push myself to learn. However, I have met some people who have not been as lucky as me. Around eight years ago, I was twelve yearsShow MoreRelatedLiterary Criticism : The Free Encyclopedia 7351 Words   |  30 Pageschange is extremely important.[4][5] Contents [hide] 1 Origin 2 Plot outline 3 Examples 3.1 Precursors 3.2 17th century 3.3 18th century 3.4 19th century 3.5 20th century 3.6 21st century 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 Further reading 9 External links Origin[edit] The term was coined in 1819 by philologist Karl Morgenstern in his university lectures, and later famously reprised by Wilhelm Dilthey, who legitimated it in 1870 and popularized it in 1905.[1] [6] The genre is further

The Evolving Relationship Between The U.s. Government And...

Chaelee Dalton Burnett Honors World Religions November 7 2014 The Evolving Relationship Between the U.S. Government and the Mormon Church In 1844, Joseph Smith, ecclesiastical leader of the Latter-day Saints and presidential candidate, was murdered by an angry mob. This mob was fostered by the release of a newspaper questioning Smith’s practices (including polygamy), qualifications, and intentions for his potential presidency. More than 150 years later, Mitt Romney, a member of the LDS Church, launched a presidential campaign and garnered forty-two percent of the popular vote. Although these two candidates share a faith, their political roles and views are substantially different. This is representative of the significant changes in the relationship between the Mormon church and the U.S. government. A homegrown religion originating in the late 1820s, Mormonism arose as a rejection of the existing Christian sects and a return to what the Mormons considered to be pure Christianity. Similarly, the members believed their desire for a new kind of government stemmed from their disillusionment with what they believed was a corrupt government and a desire for the reestablishment of true American values and the original intent of the founding fathers. This sentiment is epitomized by Joseph Smith’s presidential platform, which states â€Å"No honest man can doubt for a moment, the glory of American liberty is on the wane; and that calamity and confusion will sooner or later destroy theShow MoreRelatedSame-Sex Marriage and Religion: An Inappropriate Relationship8330 Words   |  34 PagesSame-Sex Marriage and Religion: An Inappropriate Relationship Brittney Baker Key words, names, terms, concepts: California s Proposition 8, Prop 8; morals legislation; same-sex marriage, gay marriage; religion, religion and politics; separation of church and state; police powers; equal citizenship, equality; 2008 election. Introduction and Thesis The debate over same-sex marriage has been a prominent issue in our society over many years now, appearing in several ballot initiatives such as CaliforniaRead MoreEssay about Same Sex Marriage Controversy in the United States3686 Words   |  15 Pagesvery real sense, it is reasonable to argue that the government should have no say at all in the processes of marriage, or decide which adults may or may not legally marry. State and federal governments play a role, of course, in that marriage is a civil union, and provides benefits and legal protections for the couple. Historically, marriage serves the interests of the society by promoting stability and future generations of citizens, and governments usually act in ways to promote this very vital element

Southwest Airlines Free Essays

Southwest Airlines is a passenger airline based out of Dallas, Texas that provides air transpiration throughout the United States. Southwest is currently the 6th largest U. S. We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest Airlines or any similar topic only for you Order Now airline based on revenue. It currently has more than 3,100 flights in 73 cities, making it the largest U. S. carrier passenger airline. They provide good options, such as early check-in, hotel packages, car rental, and free luggage up to two bags, which are one of their techniques to provide bad news to the customers. Summary: Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier in the United States and they get the high satisfaction ratings of the country’s best customer service providers from business week’s ranking. The reason why they can do so is that they contain good policies for the customers. For example, a case in St. Louis, an ice storm had stocked the plane for several hours. The flight attendants and pilots walked through the plane like usual, trying to answer questions that customers had and they provided the information for the passengers about connecting flights. Passengers who were on the flight were surprised by the letter they got after few days. They got a free round-trip flight. Fred Taylor is a senior manager of proactive customer communications who has a daily meeting with his department to talk about the problems that may happen and develop the methods to minimize them. For example, Southwest Airlines use twitter to send the information and official announcements for their customers. If passengers know more about the policies, it helps them a lot. The other part of Fred Taylor’s job is to deliver bad news and responding to customer’s complaint. According to the article (2011), Fred Taylor says that â€Å"it’s not something we had to do. It is something we feel our customers deserve. † He writes about 20,000 apology letters to passengers in a year. The letters have his direct phone number and many of them include a free flight voucher. The motto of Southwest Airlines is â€Å"share the spirit† and they do what they say. Course concepts: Bad News disappoints, Irritates, and sometimes angers the receiver, such messages must be written carefully. The Bad feelings associated with disappointing news can generally be reduced if the receiver: A) Knows the reason for the rejection. B) Feels that the news was delivered sensitively C) Believes that the matter was treated seriously and fairly While many people may claim to prefer directly delivered bad news, the source cannot be said in a particular situation. For example, if those people are directly responsible for the situation resulting in the bad news, they may not be so found of hearing it directly. Or if the bad news is personally serious and damaging, they may prefer a buffer Again this comes to the first phase of the writing process: assessing and analyzing both the situation and audience. Once this is done, it will be clear whether to deliver bad news directly and indirectly. Using the indirect strategy is a smart way to lessen the blame and the importance of negative news. However, there are still possibilities of negative ramifications. If, for example the sender takes too long to finally deliver the main point the recipient can be aggravated. The key to delivering news effectively knows the audience. For example, some people prefer direct communication for the good news and the bad, while others prefer indirect and good communication skills. In dealing with delivering bad news, the 3*3 writing process still maintains its purpose and assistance. In the prewriting phase of the writing process (phase1) the aspects include 3 As: analysis, anticipation, and adaptation. In completing this phase, the writer determines that a negative message must be sent how the news will be received, and how to appropriately draft that message. Third, aspect(Adaptation) that the choice between direct and indirect messages comes to play. Even though it may seem impossible to make the receiver happy when delivering negative news, it is possible to reduce bad feelings and resentment by the use of a buffer, a buffer is a device used to reduce shock or pain. The following are various buffer possibilities A) Start with the part of the message that represents the best news. B) Show that the reader is important and cared. C) Provide objective information that introduces the bad news. The most important aspects of delivering negative messages are explaining the reasons and how to increase the benefits. In developing audience benefits and building goodwill, we should increase new value and better features, make it more efficient or make customers’ lives easier. Southwest got high performance from USA airlines services. When flight was delayed, Southwest Airlines will inform their customer directly by appropriate ways. Moreover, Southwest Airlines will give promo code discount or free one-way tickets when any flight was cancelled. Therefore, customers feel happy and satisfied even when they face the problem because they have another thing to compensate such as give cards, cash back, VIP cards, and so on. Moreover, Southwest Airlines will offer more options that make each customer more convenient. When customers reserve the tickets and then they have a late flight. Southwest Airlines provides the option that customers can fly early if another flight is available. â€Å"Customers will hear an announcement in the gate area and will be able to purchase an available [early] boarding position via credit card from a customer service agent,† Furthermore, this option is useful because Southwest Airlines got positive feedback back from the customers. From my real experience, I am one of the loyal customers who traveled with Southwest Airlines. In addition, this Airlines always has a good deal when I would like to travel somewhere in the United States. So, Southwest Airlines is the best choice for me not only they offered cheap tickets, but also provided free two luggage promotion. The last time I chose Southwest Airlines, my flight was delayed because of bad weather. Unfortunately, I also missed the next flight that I actually had to transfer to. Nevertheless, Southwest Airlines tried to find another flight for me. Furthermore, Southwest Airlines paid me for the hotel, meals, and cash back during I was in New York. According to this experience, I always choose Southwest Airlines no matter how expensive I have to spend. In conclusion, Southwest Airlines knows how to respond and handle unpredictable problems, and inform its customers directly with proper ways. From the above reasons, Southwest Airlines is one of the successful airlines company in the US. How to cite Southwest Airlines, Papers

Nurse Staffing Essay Example

Nurse Staffing Essay Abstract Two major forms of staffing guidelines will be discussed, nurse-to-patient ratio and staffing by acuity. This paper will discuss the history of each staffing form. It will point out the benefits and negative features of both practices, describe how hospitals deal with staffing and discuss the states that have laws requiring certain guidelines be followed. Nurse Staffing: Does One Size Fit All? What is the one conversation that usually gets heated when talking to nurses? Bring up the subject of staffing levels on their unit. As a nurse assistant, staff nurse, charge nurse or nursing administrator, inadequate staffing creates tension and stress. When staffing is inadequate patient safety, infection rates, patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction are only a few of the areas affected. Many hospital administrators and lawmakers want to make patient care a numbers game. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires hospitals to create a staffing plan that defines staffing effectiveness as the skill mix, competence, and effectiveness related to the services needed. (Morgan, 2004) When it comes to staffing, one size does not always fit all. Patients are individuals with individual needs and one patient with a certain diagnosis can take much less attention and time from the nurse than a patient of the same age with the same diagnosis. For good nurses the main goals during their shift is giving exception patient care and providing a safe environment. â€Å"The notion of high-quality care in hospitals is essential to public safety isn’t new. In 1751 Benjamin Franklin founded America’s first hospital-Pennsylvania Hospital-and commented that patients ultimately suffer and die without sound nursing care. We will write a custom essay sample on Nurse Staffing specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Nurse Staffing specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Nurse Staffing specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer † (Clarke, 2003) Nursing leaders are under tremendous pressure to lower costs while improving quality. (Carter, 2004) It is often found that hospitals during low census times or times of budget cuts will try to let ancillary staff go and assign their duties to the nurse caring for the patient. Nurses can replace several other positions in a healthcare setting but no other position can replace the nurse. Nursing is not only a highly trained individual but someone who is called to be compassionate, caring and dedicated individual. There are many reasons why staffing by acuity or nurse-to-patient ratios should not be mandated by lawmakers. Direct care nurses should be involved in staffing decision. Outcomes are better when nurses have control of their workload. (Anonymous, 2005) Adequate staffing must be priority for anyone involved in healthcare and there are pros and cons to both staffing by acuity and nurse-to-patient ratios. With our aging population and the increased age of the baby boomer generation nurses are going to increase in demand. Healthcare is changing so quickly and this also affects the shortage. The average acuity of patients has increased over the last decade while the nursing shortage continues. Nurse-to-patient ratios are supposed to draw people into the filed but there is a shortage of educators at present time as well. Many colleges have long waiting list for nursing programs, yet many nurses only stay in the field for a short time after graduating. Many universities turn away good candidates to nursing programs due to insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints. (Allen, 2008) We as a nation must come to a conclusion to deal with the nursing shortage. Too many lawmakers are paying attention to the staffing formats suggested above and not doing anything to fix the nursing shortage. Whether by acuity or ratios, for each nurse to take fewer patients we will definitely need more nurses. Staffing by acuity is a format used to decide how many nursing hours are needed for certain diagnosis or types of patients. Typically areas within a healthcare facility where patients are less ill such as rehabilitation and medical-surgical units, nurses can care for as many as seven patients at a time. Their acuity score is much lower than a patient in the intensive care unit or a step-down unit. Healthcare systems that utilize staffing by acuity are looking at the safe number of certain levels of patients that one nurse can care for. The down side to staffing by acuity is that many feel administration will influence numbers to maintain a high number of patients per nurse. If all patients on a unit were a level eight then most acuity systems would call for three patients to one nurse but if all patients on a unit were all level ones then a nurse could be caring for as many as eight to ten patients. Acuity does not take every patient encounter into consideration. For instance a dementia patient may have a low acuity based on the nursing care since they usually do not have indwelling lines or invasive procedures. Although the same patient may require a high amount help with activities of daily living, decision making and education. (Walsh, 2003) Thus staffing by acuity can be a subjective form of nurse staffing. When done accurately, acuity based staffing can be very beneficial for the nursing staff. Illinois is one of many states that have implemented laws requiring hospitals to base staffing on acuity systems and then report compliance on a quarterly basis. Illinois Hospital Association supports acuity based staffing over nurse-to-patient ratios. (Anonymous. 2008) SB867 is a law in Illinois that requires hospitals to base staffing on a model that has been developed by a nursing care committee made up of at least 50% direct care nurses. (Anonymous. 2008) This assures the bedside nurse a significant voice in the staffing process. It allows nurses to base their staffing on the work they perform. The model should include levels of care and examples that fit you patient population. At times, nurses will under staff themselves by simply not giving their patients credit for their true acuity level. This law and practice demonstrates hospital’s commitment to their direct nurse staff. Acuity based staffing is believed to take all facts into the picture. Nurses should be trained to develop and use their acuity tool to best describe the patients they are caring for, thus supporting the need for additional staff. Nurse-to-patient ratios are a concept that mandates a certain number of patients for each nurse to care for. Depending on the types of patients being cared for this number can differ. California has a law requiring nurse-to-patient ratios be following in hospitals. This law was signed in 1999 but was unable to be implemented for another four years. California state guidelines say that medical-surgical patients are one to five and in the intensive care units ratios are one to one. Illinois also has a law up for approval, HB0485 that would mandate ratios. â€Å"Establishing a minimum,  specific and numerical ratio implies that there is a scientific basis for determining the number of nurses to patients above which good outcomes patients can be guaranteed. † ( Flowers, 2009) This law would put even more stringent regulations on hospitals. California has seen many issues related to the ratios law. Ratios can cause longer transfer times for patients, increased ER bypass and postponed elective surgeries. California has experienced 12 hospital closures and downsizing of services since ratios was implemented. Patients are not all alike, their needs are individually different. Nursing units are different and ratios do not take into account the nurse’s level of experience or the physical layout of the facility. Many times hospitals will attempt to meet ratio laws by terminating such positions as nurse assistants and environmental services workers. So in reality nurses may only have four patients to care for but they are responsible for total care of those patients. The other strategy hospitals have used to meet ratio guidelines is to replace registered nurses with licensed practical nurses and have only one register nurse on each shift as a charge nurse. Under California law, nurses are considered registered or licensed practical nurses. HB0485 prohibits this by stating the nurse ratio can only be made up from registered nurses. Supporters of nurse-to-patient ratios believe that these types of laws will recruit more individuals into the field and retain our current nurses. According to CNA President Deborah Burger, the ratio law is a mafor reason why more nurses are coming into California and why RN’s are staying at the bedside. (Anonymous, 2005) The working conditions are believed to be better when a nurse has fewer patients. The environment is considered safer when more nurses are available to care for the patients. Nurses feel they will have more time for direct patient care and fully evaluate the patient’s needs. Individuals, who support both staffing by acuity and ratios, believe that research is needed to support both ideas. I feel that acuity is the most accurate way to determine safe ratios. At Union County Hospital, where I work, we use our acuity tool to establish a level for each patient. This is nursing staff’s first indicator of needed staffing levels. We also use ratios to staff. Once the acuity is finished the charge nurses takes the acuity of the patients, level of experience of the oncoming shift and also our staffing matrix into consideration and staffs the next shift appropriately. I did a simple study recently and based on our staffing matrix that the charge nurse can take up to three patients and each additional staff nurse should not routinely take over six patients, we met the staffing matrix 84% of the time. Of that 84%, only 12% of the time did the acuity call for different staffing levels and most of that was that the acuity actually called for less staff. We are a for-profit hospital and as a manager I have to validate our staffing to the CFO on a weekly basis. I asked the nurses to accurately and honestly complete the acuity, keep our matrix in their mind, and make the best decision for the patients. I also ask that if there are any circumstances that influenced their decision they should leave note of this on the daily staffing sheet. I think that acuity and ratios complement each other when used together, but one size does not fit all in nurse staffing models. Lawmakers and hospital administrators should not be making these decisions for nurses, the bedside nurse should be able to make an individualized staffing plan for each shift based on the patients on the unit. References Allen, L. (2008). The Nursing Shortage Continues As Faculty Shortage Grows. Nursing Economics, 26(1), 35-41. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Anonymous (2005). Schwarenegger flexes muscles on nurses. Australian Nursing Journal, 12(7), 29. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Anonymous (2005). Ratios: Savior or villain? Australian Nursing Journal, 13(1), 15. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Anonymous (2008). Keep Contacting You State Representative To Oppose Nurse Staffing Ratio. Illinois Hospital Associations Position Paper. Retreived Febuary 24, 2009, from http://www. ihatoday. com/issues/workforce/hb392. html Carter, M. (2004). The ABC’s of staffing decisions. Nursing Management, 35(6), 16. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Clarke, S. (2003). Patient safety series, part 2 of 2: Balancing staffing and safety. Nursing Management, 34(6), 44-48. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Flowers, M. (2009). Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act HB0485. 96th Illinois General Assembly. Retreived Febuary 24, 2009, from http://www. ilga. gov/legislation/96/HB/09600HB0485. htm. Morgan, S Tobin, P. (2004). Managing the Nursing Workforce. Nursing Management. Chicago, 35, 4-6. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Walsh, E. (2003). Get Real With Workload Measurement. Nursing Management. Chicago, 34(2), 38-42. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database.

Costa Del Sol Essays - Andalusia, Ethnic Groups In Europe

Costa Del Sol Essays - Andalusia, Ethnic Groups In Europe Costa Del Sol Costa Del Sol It is possible that the Neolithic revolution, the discovery of agriculture the passage of nomadic to sedentary peoples, reached Europe by way of Africa through what is known today as Andalusia. This historical center of influence, an east - west displacement, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic began with a revolution that introduced the usage of metals and the arrival of colonizers from the east. A confluence of fertile lands, of metallurgy and fishing activities took place in this westernmost area that the Tartars once inhabited. This mysterious civilization that lived in the southern Iberian peninsula since the bronze ages, established the first known monarchy in western Europe. The Tartars, an agricultural and cattle raising people, also worked the gold mines while their ships traded with Great Britain from the west and received the Phoenicians from the east. This marked the beginning of a complex geographical position between two oceans and two continents. Rome took up residence on these shores after realizing that this region could become the open door for a threat from Cartage. Roman legions appeared for the first time in the 3rd century BC. The exuberant province of Btica would become for the next seven centuries part of the great civilized world, contributing to the empire materials such as metals, wine, oil, wheat, philosophers, writers and the first two emperors born outside of the Italic peninsula.: Trajano and Adriano. Other peoples appeared from the north. From the shores of the Rin descended the Vandals in 411 AD. They settled in the valley of the Guadalquivir river and in northern Africa and for half a century united the shores of the two continents. Before being expelled by the Visigoths they had given a new name to the region of Europe: Vandaluca. Since the arrival in 711 of Islam this region enjoyed wonderful times. The Caliphate of Crdoba during many years was the most sophisticated state in all of Europe. The Arabs contributed new techniques to agriculture, botany and science, poetry and intellectual development during a period of eight centuries. Their political breakdown was taken advantage of by the Christian Kingdoms from the north of the peninsula accelerating the capture of the Iberian peninsula. In 1236 Crdoba fell. Sevilla followed in 1248. The last bastion, the Kingdom of Granada, was conquered by the Catholic Kings in 1492. that same year Columbus set sail from the Andalusian port of Palos in Huelva, to discover America. The center of global economic and political movement was displaced. An Andalusian town took notice of this crucial moment achieving its greatest glory shortly afterwards for the following 150 years. Known as the spot where the heart of Europe beats, Sevilla became the neurological center of the Spanish empire. Her port received ships loaded with gold and silver from America, and from there minted coins were circulated throughout other European nations. A little later Cdiz would continue this Andalusian leading role in its relations with the Indies. Sanlcar de Barrameda, a neighboring village became the port from where the first round the world voyage was initiated. Romantic travelers would later recall such splendors with archeological remains of demolished towers, hidden patios in ancient homes and stately palaces. The myth of figures such as Carmen and the figure of Don Juan, generous bandits, brave bullfighters and oriental exoticism arose; images constructed by foreign eyes that today still endure. Recent Andalusian history is tied to a turbulent 19th century that started off with the War of Independence and the approval of the first Spanish Constitution in the courts of Cdiz in 1812. Efforts to modernize and industrialize the economy were marked by massive exploitations of mineral

Blombos Cave and the Creativity of Early Modern Humans

Blombos Cave and the Creativity of Early Modern Humans Blombos Cave (abbreviated in the scientific literature as BBC) contains one of the longest and richest sequences of early subsistence, and technological and cultural innovations of pressure-flaking of stone tools, non-functional engraving, shell bead production, and red ochre processing by early modern humans worldwide, from occupations dated to the Middle Stone Age (MSA), 74,000-100,000 years ago. The rock shelter is located in a steep wave-cut calcrete cliff, about 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Cape Town, South Africa. The cave is 34.5 meters (113 ft) above current sea level and 100 m (328 ft) from the Indian Ocean. Chronology The site deposits include 80 centimeters (31 inches) of a Later Stone Age deposit, an archaeologically sterile layer of aeolian (windblown) dune sand, called the Hiatus, and about 1.4 m (4.5 ft) comprising four Middle Stone Age levels. As of 2016, excavations have included an area of about 40 sqm (430 sq ft). Dates and thicknesses presented below are derived from Roberts et al. 2016: Late Stone Age, 2,000-300 years before the present (BP), ~80 cm in thicknessHiatus ~68 ka (thousand years BP), a culturally sterile sand dune which sealed the lower MSA, 5-10 cmM1 - Middle Stone Age Still Bay (64-73 ka, Marine Isotope Stage 5a/4), 6 strata, ~20 cmM2 Upper - Middle Stone Age Still Bay (77-82 ka, MIS 5b/a), 4 strata, ~20 cmM2 Lower - Middle Stone Age, 85-81 ka (MIS 5b), 5 strata, ~25 cmM3 - Middle Stone Age (94-101 ka, MIS 5c), 10 strata, 75 cm The Late Stone Age level contains a dense series of occupations within the rock shelter, characterized by ochre, bone tools, bone beads, shell pendants, and pottery. Middle Stone Age Occupations Together, the M1 and upper M2 levels at Blombos have been designated Still Bay phase, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction suggests the climate during this period fluctuated between arid and humid. Within an area of approximately 19 sqm have been found 65 hearths and 45 ash piles. The stone tools from the Still Bay occupations are primarily made from locally available silcrete, but also include quartzite and quartz. Nearly 400 Still Bay type points have been recovered so far, and about half of them were heat-treated and finished using sophisticated pressure flaking techniques: prior to the discoveries at BBC, pressure flaking was thought to have been invented in Upper Paleolithic Europe, only 20,000 years ago. Over 40 bone tools have been recovered, most of which are awls. A few were polished and may have been hafted as projectile points. Symbolic Behavior More than 2,000 pieces of ochre have been found so far from the Still Bay occupations, including two with deliberately engraved cross-hatched patterns from M1, and six more from M2 upper. A bone fragment was also marked, with 8 parallel lines. Over 65 beads have been discovered in the MSA levels, all of which are tick shells, Nassarius kraussianus, and most of them have been carefully perforated, polished, and in some cases deliberately heat-treated to a dark-grey to black coloration (dErrico and colleagues 2015). Vanhaeren et al. conducted experimental reproduction and close analysis of the usewear on the tick shell beads from M1. They determined that a cluster of 24 perforated shells were probably strung together in a ~10 cm long string in such a way so that they hung in alternate positions, creating a visual pattern of symmetrical pairs. A second later pattern was also identified, apparently created by knotting cords together to create floating pairs of dorsally joined shells. Each of these patterns of stringing was repeated on at least five different beadwork pieces. A discussion of the significance of shell beads may be found in Shell Beads and Behavioral Modernity. Before Still Bay The M2 level at BBC was a period of fewer and shorter occupations than either earlier or later periods. The cave contained a few basin hearths and one very large hearth at this point; the artifact assemblage includes small quantities of stone tools, consisting of blades, flakes, and cores of silcrete, quartz, and quartzite. Faunal material is limited to shellfish and ostrich eggshell. In sharp contrast, occupation debris within the M3 level at BBC is far denser. So far, M3 has produced abundant lithics but no bone tools; lots of modified ochre, including eight slabs with deliberate engravings in cross-hatching, y-shaped or crenulated designs. Stone tools include objects made of exotic fine-grained materials. The animal bone assemblage from M3 includes mostly small to medium mammals such as rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis), Cape dune mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus), steenbok/grysbok (Raphicerus sp), Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus), and eland (Tragelaphus oryx). Larger animals are also represented in fewer numbers, including equids, hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius), rhinoceros (Rhinocerotidae), elephant (Loxodonta africana), and giant buffalo (Sycerus antiquus). Paint Pots in M3 Within the M3 levels were also found two abalone (Haliotis midae) shells located within 6 cm of one another, and interpreted as an ochre processing workshop. The cavity of each shell was filled with a red compound of ochre, crushed bone, charcoal, and tiny stone flakes. A round flat stone with use-wear marks along the edge and face was likely used to crush and mix the pigment; it fits snugly into one of the shells and was stained with red ochre and encrusted with fragments of crushed bone. One of the shells had long scratches in its nacreous surface. Although no large painted objects or walls have been found in BBC, the resulting ochre pigment was likely used as paint to decorate a surface, object or person: while cave paintings are not known from Howiesons Poort/Still Bay occupations, ochre-painted objects have been identified within several sites of the Middle Stone Age along the South African coast. Excavations have been conducted at Blombos by Christopher S. Henshilwood and colleagues since 1991 and have continued intermittently ever since. Sources Badenhorst S, Van Niekerk KL, and Henshilwood CS. 2016. Large mammal remains from the 100 KA middle stone age layers of Blombos cave, South Africa. South African Archaeological Bulletin 71(203):46-52. Botha R. 2008. Prehistoric shell beads as a window on language evolution. Language Communication 28(3):197-212. dErrico F, Vanhaeren M, Van Niekerk K, Henshilwood CS, and Erasmus RM. 2015. Assessing the Accidental Versus Deliberate Colour Modification of Shell Beads: a Case Study on Perforated Nassarius. Archaeometry 57(1):51-76.kraussianus from Blombos Cave Middle Stone Age levels Discamps E, and Henshilwood CS. 2015. Intra-Site Variability in the Still Bay Fauna at Blombos Cave: Implications for Explanatory Models of the Middle Stone Age Cultural and Technological Evolution. PLOS 10(12):e0144866.ONE Henshilwood C, DErrico F, Van Niekerk K, Coquinot Y, Jacobs Z, Lauritzen S-E, Menu M, and Garcia-Moreno R. 2011. A 100,000-Year-Old Ochre-Processing Workshop at Blombos Cave, South Africa. Science 334:219-222. Jacobs Z, Hayes EH, Roberts RG, Galbraith RF, and Henshilwood CS. 2013. An improved OSL chronology for the Still Bay layers at Blombos Cave, South Africa: further tests of single-grain dating procedures and a re-evaluation of the timing of the Still Bay industry across southern Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science 40(1):579-594. Mourre V, Villa P, and Henshilwood C. 2010. Early use of pressure flaking on lithic artifacts at Blombos Cave, South Africa. Science 330:659-662. Moyo S, Mphuthi D, Cukrowska E, Henshilwood CS, van Niekerk K, and Chimuka L. 2016. Blombos Cave: Middle Stone Age ochre differentiation through FTIR, ICP OES, ED XRF, and XRD. Quaternary International 404, Part B:20-29. Roberts P, Henshilwood CS, Van Niekerk KL, Keene P, Gledhill A, Reynard J, Badenhorst S, and Lee-Thorp J. 2016. Climate, Environment. PLoS ONE 11(7):e0157408.and Early Human Innovation: Stable Isotope and Faunal Proxy Evidence from Archaeological Sites (98-59ka) in the Southern Cape, South Africa Thompson JC, and Henshilwood CS. 2011. Taphonomic analysis of the Middle Stone Age larger mammal faunal assemblage from Blombos Cave, southern Cape, South Africa. Journal of Human Evolution 60(6):746-767. Vanhaeren M, dErrico F, van Niekerk KL, Henshilwood CS, and Erasmus RM. 2013. Thinking strings: Additional evidence for personal ornament use Journal of Human Evolution 64(6):500-517.in the Middle Stone Age at Blombos Cave, South Africa.