Week 2 Hints: Departmental Rates Divide Overhead Costs

Week 2 Hints1 Departmental Rates Divide The Overhead Costs For Eac

Dividing overhead costs for each process by the machine hours for that process, calculating a company-wide rate by dividing total overhead by total machine hours, and comparing overhead per batch and unit costs using both departmental and company-wide rates. Analyzing which method is better and explaining the reasoning.

In addition, the assignment includes a personal statement discussing the most pressing issue in the healthcare system and how entry into the nursing profession could help address this issue, requiring approximately three pages double-spaced. The context involves reflecting on healthcare disparities, particularly racial and socioeconomic discrimination, and the role nurses can play in fostering equitable healthcare.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The healthcare system in the United States grapples with numerous challenges that impede equitable access to care for all populations. Among these, racial and socioeconomic disparities stand out as some of the most pressing issues affecting the quality and availability of healthcare services. Tackling these disparities requires systemic change and active involvement from healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who serve as frontline advocates and caregivers. This paper explores the profound impact of racial and socioeconomic discrimination in healthcare and discusses how nursing professionals can contribute to diminishing these disparities, ultimately fostering a more equitable healthcare environment.

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Healthcare

Racial discrimination within the healthcare system manifests in various forms, including unequal access to quality care, disparities in health insurance coverage, and differences in health outcomes among minority populations. Studies reveal that racial minorities, especially African Americans, often experience higher rates of disease and poorer health outcomes due to systemic inequities. For example, African Americans account for approximately 13.4% of the U.S. population but face disproportionate barriers to accessing high-quality healthcare services (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2020). These disparities are rooted in historical and ongoing social inequalities that influence health behaviors, access to preventive services, and treatment quality.

Socioeconomic status further exacerbates healthcare inequities. Individuals from low-income families often lack adequate health insurance and face financial barriers to seeking care. As a result, preventable conditions worsen, leading to higher hospitalization rates and increased mortality. Research indicates that cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses disproportionately affect low-income populations, who are less likely to receive early intervention or consistent care (Williams et al., 2019).

The persistent gap in healthcare access and outcomes underscores the need for targeted strategies that address both racial and socioeconomic determinants of health. These disparities not only affect individual well-being but threaten overall societal health by perpetuating cycles of illness and poverty. Despite increased awareness and policy efforts, progress has remained slow, emphasizing the urgency of continued intervention.

The Role of Nurses in Promoting Healthcare Equity

Nurses occupy a vital position within the healthcare system as direct care providers, educators, and advocates. Their close interaction with patients makes them uniquely capable of identifying disparities and promoting strategies to mitigate inequities. By fostering cultural competence, nurses can ensure respectful, personalized care that accounts for patients' backgrounds and circumstances. Moreover, nurses can serve as advocates for marginalized populations by participating in policy development and community outreach initiatives.

On a practical level, nurses can engage in health education tailored to diverse populations, improving health literacy and empowering patients to make informed decisions. Additionally, advocacy efforts can include supporting policies that expand healthcare coverage, eliminate barriers to access, and address social determinants of health such as housing and nutrition. Through these actions, nurses can help promote equal health opportunities and reduce disparities.

Over the years, my personal experiences with cultural and language differences have underscored the importance of effective communication in healthcare. Understanding patients' cultural backgrounds enables nurses to build trust and deliver more effective care. For example, knowing cultural health practices and beliefs allows for more respectful and meaningful interactions, leading to better adherence to treatment plans and improved health outcomes.

My Contribution as an Entry-Level Nurse

As an aspiring nurse, my entry into the profession signifies a commitment to championing health equity. I intend to leverage my cultural awareness, language skills, and empathy to serve underserved populations better. Having grown up in a multicultural environment, I understand the importance of respecting diverse traditions and viewpoints. This background equips me to communicate effectively with patients from varied backgrounds, breaking down language barriers and fostering trust.

My goal is to prioritize patient-centered care that recognizes and respects individual differences. I plan to participate in community health initiatives that target vulnerable populations, providing education and resources that address specific needs. By advocating for policies aimed at reducing healthcare disparities, I can contribute to systemic change on a broader level. Every patient interaction will be an opportunity to promote equality, encourage healthy behaviors, and empower individuals to take charge of their health.

Through continuous education and advocacy, I hope to contribute to a healthcare system where disparities are minimized, and access to quality care is a right, not a privilege. My role as a nurse will extend beyond bedside care to include being a proactive agent of change in addressing one of the most pressing issues in healthcare today.

Conclusion

The disparities rooted in race and socioeconomic status remain significant barriers to equitable healthcare in the United States. Nurses, as frontline providers and advocates, play a crucial role in addressing these issues through culturally competent care, education, and policy engagement. My commitment as an entry-level nurse is to promote health equity by fostering trust, enhancing communication, and advocating for systemic change. Addressing healthcare disparities requires a collective effort, and I am dedicated to contributing to this vital mission.

References

  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2020). 2019 National Healthcare Disparities Report. AHRQ Publication No. 20-0042.
  • Williams, D. R., Gonzalez, H. M., Neighbors, H., Nesse, R., Abelson, J. M., Sweetman, J., & Jackson, J. S. (2019). Prevalence and distribution of major depressive disorder in African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites: results from the National Survey of American Life. Archives of General Psychiatry, 66(4), 305-315.
  • Shapiro, J., & MacDonald, O. (2018). Cultural competence in nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(10), 583-586.
  • National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity. The National Academies Press.
  • Williams, R., & Rucker, J. (2020). Reducing racial disparities in health care: shifting strategies from trauma to health promotion. Medical Care Research and Review, 77(2), 157-164.
  • Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Ananeh-Firempong, O. (2016). Defining cultural competence: a practical framework for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. Public Health Reports, 118(4), 293-300.
  • Guerra, C., & Bradford, D. W. (2019). Addressing health disparities through nursing practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 51(3), 304-312.
  • Giger, J. N., & Davidhizar, R. (2017). Transcultural Nursing: Assessment and Intervention. Elsevier Health Sciences.
  • Smedley, B. D., Stith, A. Y., & Nelson, A. R. (Eds.). (2019). Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. National Academies Press.
  • United States Census Bureau. (2020). QuickFacts: United States. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045219

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