Standard Building Contract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Standard Building Contract - Essay Example Further under clause 3.10.3 if the contractor does have any reservation he must inform the CA/Architect within 7 days. In case the contractor refuses to comply or does not respond in writing within 7 days, the clause 3.11 of the JCT contract is applicable under which the CA/Architect have the power to employ another person/party to perform the task and the cost incurred in the engagement of the new party to complete the task will be paid by the contractor and deducted from the contract sum. In my opinion I believe that the situation in our case the CA/Architect will issue a written notice and if the contractor does not comply he will have to face similar outcomes as mentioned above. Now, the employer has to invite another party to complete the desired task and deduction from the current contractor’s bill. Thirdly the issues of the modification of working hours where the architect has already written a letter to the contractor. Hence he has done his part of the work so that the clauses under chapter of â€Å"variation† of JCT contract 05 can be applicable. Under the clause 5.1.2.3 the CA/Architect has the right to change and make â€Å"variation† in the working hours of the contractor and the contractor has to comply with the orders, where as he has the choice to make an equal valuation of the variation, which is then to be communicated to the CA/Architect, 5.2 â€Å"Valuation of Variations and provisional sum work†, clause 5.6 â€Å"The Valuation Rules Measurable Work† and 5.9 â€Å"Change of conditions for other work† are applicable.... ect have the power to employ another person/party to perform the task and the cost incurred in the engagement of the new party to complete the task will be paid by the contractor and deducted from the contract sum. In my opinion I believe that the situation in our case the CA/Architect will issue a written notice and if the contractor does not comply he will have to face similar outcomes as mentioned above. Now, the employer has to invite another party to complete the desired task and deduction from the current contractor’s bill. Thirdly the issues of the modification of working hours where the architect has already written a letter to the contractor. Hence he has done his part of the work so that the clauses under chapter of â€Å"variation† of JCT contract 05 can be applicable. Under the clause 5.1.2.3 the CA/Architect has the right to change and make â€Å"variation† in the working hours of the contractor and the contractor has to comply with the orders, where as he has the choice to make an equal valuation of the variation, which is then to be communicated to the CA/Architect, for which the clauses 5.2 â€Å"Valuation of Variations and provisional sum work†, clause 5.6 â€Å"The Valuation Rules Measurable Work† and 5.9 â€Å"Change of conditions for other work† are applicable. I strongly believe that the contractor has no other option but to comply with the instructions as it engages as employer directly. In case of non compliance to the instructions that are been given by the CA/Architect, the contractor can face disqualification from the project under the clause 3.11 â€Å"Non-compliance with instructions† of the JCT standard form of building contract. Whereas this clause is recommended to be a used as a warning as in our case where the contractor is repeatedly

Marketing Exploratory Research Essay Example for Free

Marketing Exploratory Research Essay Researchers employ exploratory research when little is known about the topic and previous theories or ideas do not apply. For example, if you wanted to study how to get students to use the computer lab in a college environment, you might first have to do exploratory research to figure out which students might need the lab and what appeals to this demographic. Exploratory research clarifies problems, gathers data and creates initial hypothesis and theories about subjects. The primary point of exploratory research is to give researchers pertinent information and help them to form initial hypotheses about the subject. Exploratory research is challenging in the sense that it tackles vaguely defined hypothesis and tries to find answers to questions. This kind of research is social in nature and requires some preliminary work in the direction of the research. In fact, sociologist Earl Babbie treats exploratory as the purpose of the research saying this kind of research proves to be useful when the hypothesis has yet not been formed or developed. There are certain basic premises that need to be tested at the start of an exploratory research. With the help of these hypotheses, the researcher hopes to arrive at more generalizations. Exploratory research is a form of research conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined. Exploratory research helps determine the best research design, data collection method and selection of subjects. It should draw definitive conclusions only with extreme caution. Given its fundamental nature, exploratory research often concludes that a perceived problem does not actually exist. Exploratory research often relies on secondary research such as reviewing available literature and/or data, or qualitative approaches such as informal discussions with consumers, employees, management or competitors, and more formal approaches through in-depth interviews, focus groups, projective methods, case studies or pilot studies. The Internet allows for research methods that are more interactive in nature. For example, RSS feeds efficiently supply researchers with up-to-date information; major search engine search results may be sent by email to researchers by services such as Google Alerts; comprehensive search results are tracked over lengthy periods of time by services such as Google Trends; and websites may be created to attract worldwide feedback on any subject. When the purpose of research is to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or acquire new insight into it in order to formulate a more precise problem or develop hypothesis, the exploratory studies ( also known as formulative research ) come in handy. If the theory happens to be too general or too specific, a hypothesis cannot to be formulated. Therefore a need for an exploratory research is felt to gain experience that will be helpful in formulative relevant hypothesis for more definite investigation Descriptive Research Descriptive research is done with a specific research question in mind. It gives a set view of the subject, population, market segment or problem. An example of descriptive research would be a report that provides an age and gender breakdown of the users of a particular online service. Descriptive research provides research questions, populations or methods of analysis before the research is started. In marketing, it often consists of longitudinal studies, which study the behavior of individuals over time, and cross-sectional studies, which examine many populations at one specific time. As the name implies, a descriptive research is descriptive in nature and gathers statistics, which is later carefully studied to arrive at conclusions. In fact, descriptive research often leads to formulation of hypothesis as collation and analysis of data produces conclusions that form the basis of another research. So, if there is a research about the use of alcohol among teenagers, it typically begins with collection of data that is descriptive in nature and lets people know the age and drinking habits of students. Descriptive research is helpful for calculations and to arrive at statistical tools such as median, averages, and frequencies. Descriptive research, also known as statistical research, describes data and characteristics about the population or phenomenon being studied. However, it does not answer questions about e.g.: how/when/why the characteristics occurred, which is done under analytic research. Although the data description is factual, accurate and systematic, the research cannot describe what caused a situation. Thus, Descriptive research cannot be used to create a causal relationship, where one variable affects another. In other words, descriptive research can be said to have a low requirement for internal validity. The description is used for frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. Often the best approach, prior to writing descriptive research, is to conduct a survey investigation. There are three main types of descriptive methods: observational methods, case-study methods and survey methods. Observational Method With the observational method (sometimes referred to as field observation) animal and human behavior is closely observed. There are two main categories of the observational method — naturalistic observation and laboratory observation. The biggest advantage of the naturalistic method of research is that researchers view participants in their natural environments. This leads to greater ecological validity than laboratory observation, proponents say. Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research can be used in real-life situations. Proponents of laboratory observation often suggest that due to more control in the laboratory, the results found when using laboratory observation are more meaningful than those obtained with naturalistic observation. Laboratory observations are usually less time-consuming and cheaper than naturalistic observations. Of course, both naturalistic and laboratory observation are important in regard to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Case Study Method Case study research involves an in-depth study of an individual or group of indviduals. Case studies often lead to testable hypotheses and allow us to study rare phenomena. Case studies should not be used to determine cause and effect, and they have limited use for making accurate predictions. There are two serious problems with case studies — expectancy effects and atypical individuals. Expectancy effects include the experimenter’s underlying biases that might affect the actions taken while conducting research. These biases can lead to misrepresenting participants’ descriptions. Describing atypical individuals may lead to poor generalizations and detract from external validity. Survey Method Survey method research, participants answer questions administered through interviews or questionnaires. After participants answer the questions, researchers describe the responses given. In order for the survey to be both reliable and valid it is important that the questions are constructed properly. Questions should be written so they are clear and easy to comprehend. What is the difference between Descriptive and Exploratory Research? †¢ Descriptive research, being quantitative in nature, is restrictive in terms of open ended questions, which can be better answered using exploratory research. †¢ Flexibility of design is offered by exploratory research more than by descriptive research. †¢ Descriptive research is used more to arrive at statistical tools such as mean, average, median and frequency. On the other hand, exploratory research allows the researcher to develop designs that are more qualitative in nature. †¢ The amount of information known to the researcher at the start of the research plays an important role in deciding upon the type of research. With only vague ideas in the minds of the researcher, it is better to go for exploratory design. On the other hand, more information such as quantitative data allows a researcher to go for descriptive research that leads to unearthing causal relationships. †¢ Exploratory research needs to be conducted first to have a platform that allows for collation of data required in descriptive research.

Ben And Jerrys SWOT Factors

Ben And Jerrys SWOT Factors Ben and Jerrys is the ice cream company which is having the production facility in Vermont and marketing and selling the ice-cream most of the countries in the world. Ben Jerrys started making enquires about the Japanese market to start their operation in the world second largest ice cream market where the annual sales is approximately 4.5 billion USD. Even though the market is big and it is one of the toughest markets among the other. Here the language and the audience both seem unpredictable and understanding them without knowing their language is more difficult. But Haagen-Dazs have already entered into the market before 10 years. Ben and jerrys is the late entrant among those six leading players. It is the market where the consumers where demand high quality products and also with the more number of varieties and styles. Arguably this is the most affluent country in the world. Though Haagen-Dazss financial figures were not published, market intelligence suggested the ice cream maker had Japanese sales of about $300 million. Haagen-Dazs had managed to capture nearly half the super premium market in Japan. On the one hand, Haagen-Dazs would be a formidable competitor that would likely guard its market share. On the other hand, there would be no apparent need for Ben Jerrys to teach the local market about super premium ice cream. The market seemed to welcome the case information presents a situation report of Ben and Jerrys strengths, weakness, opportunity and threats (SWOT) factor report. Strengths Established successfully in the global markets in terms of USA and non USA Ben and Jerrys another part of their synonymous for social responsibility is Caring Capitalism. Ben and jerrys gave 7.5 percent of pre-tax profits to social causes like Healing Our Mother earth, which protected community members from local health risks, and Center for Better Living, which assisted the homeless Ben and Jerrys sell its ice cream with the chunky ingredients and catchy flavour names like Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey Weakness Ben and Jerrys unquestionably held the second largest market share (at 34 percent compared to Haagen-Dazs 44 percent) of the American super premium market, the company had started to lose market share. Hired Perry Odak at the recommendation of one of its member at a base salary of $300,000 with a start date in January 1997 Ben and Jerrys brand had the countrys fifth highest share of the ice cream market in terms of value, it still accounted for only a small 3.6 percent of the market Opportunities Seven- Eleven interested in bringing Ben and Jerry to Japan was that Seven-Elevens combined USA and Japan operation would become so important to Ben and Jerry Haagen-Dazs was being sold for 250 Yen per 120 ml and seven Eleven wanted to position Ben and Jerrys at a slightly lower price point Yamada would expect to add selected flavours of Ben and Jerrys ice cream cups to the Dominos delivery menu In todays health conscious societies the introduction of more fat-free and healthy alternative ice cream and frozen yogurt products Threats Ben and Jerrys was beginning to lose market share in both the total ice cream market and more importantly, the super premium market As the product would be exported from the United States, there would be a risk of negative exchange rate movement that could make exports to Japan no longer feasible Ice cream should be pack in personal cups and not in a 473 ml (one pint) size that Ben and Jerrys currently packed. The main fact is that small cups were the ice cream is seldom consumed as a family desert in Japan, but rather is consumed as a snack item. Customers mostly like to have that as an individual serving. Designing a small cups need the company to install new machines on the existing plants. The expense is more than $2 million for new equipments. Argument on General Terms Ben Jerrys began making inquiries about opportunities in Japan, the second largest ice cream market in the world, with annual sales of approximately $4.5 billion. Although, the market was big, it was also daunting. Japan was known to have a highly complex distribution system, its barriers to foreign products were high and the distance for shipping a frozen product from America was immense. Ben Jerrys would be a late entrant, more than 10 years behind Haagen-Dazs in gaining a foothold in the market. In addition, there were at least six Japanese ice cream manufacturers selling a super premium product. The company currently packing in a 473 ml (one pint) size but the market is for the personal cups. The main fact is the ice is the favourite snacks for the people in Japan. So the personal cups will pull the market towards the brand. Ben and Jerrys have not having the machinery to make the small cups. It would require around $2 million for new equipment and Ben and Jerrys are also ready to install the machineries in the existing plant itself. But in this period of time invest of $2 million for this purpose will affect the deal further. Japanese buyers basically expect the product on the perfect specification which they need. The Japanese customers are having the capacity to demand the company to offer the products on their specification. Merits and Demerits of entry modes: Ben Jerrys management was interested toward an entry into Japan it was not a good business plan. Entering into such a complicated market where the language and the audience everything is different. The entry will happen with the good financial background and the best management. The product is exporting from the Vermont so there is chance could be risk of negative exchange rate. It makes the company to face the unprofitable situation. This is the main risk factor on emerging the business in Japan for the Ben and Jerrys. The positive and negative factors are more in the entry of Japanese market for the company. There are lots of chances to get the distribution inside the country. On that entering with the help of Seven-Eleven is the safest way to the ban and jerrys. It reserves the freezer comaprtment for their product in the 7000 conventional immediately across the country. On the parallel side there is also a chance to lose the popularity among the audience. The Seven-Eleven planned to place the product within the conventional stores. Where the chances are like placing its product among the other existing market leaders. It will reduce the chance to be exploring the market like the Haagen-Dazs have done. Chances to become a store brands is too low. The deal between the Ben and Jerrys and Seven-Eleven will never affect the any existing product in the market. On the whole of business agreement there is a major drawback in signing the agreement and it is the ice cream package size. Ben and jerrys package size is 473 ml but the Seven-Eleven insisted Ben and Jerry are to be packaged only in 120 ml personal cups. The main factor is that Japanese market is mainly for the personal cups. They often consume ice cream in one of their snack instead of family desert. Yamada the company proposed to Ben and Jerrys to have the full control on the sales and marketing in Japan. By giving the full sales and marketing control to Yamada will helps the Ban and Jerrys in the positive way. Because dealing in an unfamiliar market like Japan will sure difficult for the company to operate. It also cares for the company to get the instant expertise in the unfamiliar market. Yamada is already known to the market in the frozen foods and building a chain for Dominos in Japanese market. By signing a legal agreement will make the Yamada to start the marketing process. It makes the Ben and Jerrys to be the leading brand in the market. And Yamada have already expected to add the different flavours to Ben and Jerrys ice creams and also planned to add some of its flavour to the dominos delivery menu. But so far no agreement has signed which makes there is no any specific plan. Seven Eleven can make the company to start the instant operation in Japan. But apart from that it cant make any more development in the branding. Because as Seven-Eleven committed it will sells six cups per day will never generate more popularity and revenue to the company. Ben Jerrys was the new product to the Japanese market and it is not having an enough budget to run a marketing campaign in the Japanese market. Seven-Eleven is the only hope for the company to handle the promotional efforts. But it never committed any specific plan with the company. Logistics Ben Jerrys had long been shipping ice cream to the West Coast and to Europe in freezer containers. Shipments to Japan were feasible in delivery reliability especially key, and, of course, costs would have to be minimised. Logistics research indicated it would likely take at least three weeks shipping time from the plant in Vermont to the warehouse in Japan. The product could not be shifted to another customer nor could another customers product be shifted to Japan.

Equal Pay :: essays research papers

Mike K. Essay on equal pay in the work place. In 1963, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, making it unlawful to discriminate against a worker on the basis of sex. Since that time, the wage gap between men and women in the United States has narrowed by just 15 cents, now being 74 cents, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Pay equality is most prevalent for the 16 to 24 age group, in which women earn more than 90 percent of what men do; however, the gap becomes 75 percent in the 25 to 54 year old group – those at the height of their careers and life responsibilities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A number of factors have contributed to the gap between men’s and women’s wages. These include: occupational segregation of women into low paying jobs; lower levels of unionization for women and attitudinal barriers that have kept women from achieving equality in the workplace and undervaluation for women’s work.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Equal Pay Act (part of the Fair Labor Standards Act), forbids employers to compensate women differently for jobs that are â€Å"substantially equal†, that is, almost identical. Traditionally, women have worked in different occupations than men; these occupations tend to be substantially different, pay less and confer less authority.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Equity means fairness and justice. Pay equity programs throughout the world attempt to legislate and regulate the elimination of systemic gender-based wage discrimination and to ensure ongoing systems that will maintain equitable wage relationships over time. Pay equity programs attempt to address the undervaluation for work traditionally or historically done by women. Pay equity (also referred to as â€Å"comparable worth†) programs require a gender-neutral analysis of comparative work. A variety of very different jobs are compared based on a composite of the skill, effort and responsibility of a job and the conditions under which the job is generally done. The comparison determines the relative worth of those jobs to the achievement of a firm’s objectives, under the proposition that equal contribution merits equal compensation. Where female-dominated jobs in the workplace are found to be of equal or comparable value to male-dominated jobs but paid below the level of the male jobs or payline, then all employees in those female-dominated jobs are entitled to receive pay equity adjustments.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  But how are these adjustments to be determined in a workplace that already subjectively undervalues the effort and contribution of women and minorities?

The Need for Stronger Bullying Laws

Bullying is a very negative action and creates major problems in our society. Nothing good ever comes out of bullying someone. It can however change someone’s life forever. It actually does ruin many lives both of the bully and of the victim. The bully if caught and punished will then have a criminal record for the rest of their life. Unless they get psychological help, they will probably end up being a repeat offender. The victim often becomes depressed, withdrawn and often times either commits suicide or becomes a bully themselves. Bullying is more than just a part of growing up.It is a very violent form of aggressive behavior. Anti-bullying Laws will never completely solve the problem; only mask it temporarily until everyone starts working together to stop the root of this cruel behavior. Adults know that this behavior is wrong but many time don’t know when or if they should step in and do something. The important thing to remember when deciding to step in is how the adult feels about taking control of the situation versus how the victim might feel about having a parent or elder stick up for them. Sometimes the victim feels that elder involvement may make the situation even worse.They often feel the only way to solve the problem is to handle it themselves. â€Å"Anti-bullying laws are being enacted in almost every state in the U. S. However, they are not being enforced and are nowhere near strong enough to identify and make the abuser stop or continue to repeat his/her actions again on someone else or even sometime the same victim they began with. Only 44 of our 50 states currently have anti-bullying laws in place. Ohio does have a law in place and is found in the Ohio Revised Code, section 3313. 666. The law prohibits harassment, intimidation, or bullying in schools.It went into effect on March 30, 2007. † (University of Nebraska, 2006). This law applies to every public school in Ohio, however, does not apply to private schools. So, if the law only applies to certain people then how is it supposed to be a solution to the problem? Bullying happens very often off school grounds or even in the home. Often the school will deny that there is a problem and that the victim is either lying or exaggerating the story. When this happens the parent needs to take their complaints even further. The superintendent of the school ystem should be their next step. If that does not work they can then contact an attorney or even their city’s police force. All of these venues need to be reminded that refusal to recognize that the problem is going on violates the Ohio law prohibiting bullying. â€Å"Many parents end up feeling like they have exhausted all efforts in dealing with school authorities and/or they do not feel school officials have been receptive enough in meeting the child’s needs, especially when the child continues to being a victim of ongoing harassment, bullying, assaults, or emotional bullying.If the adul t or parent feels this way then they should not sit back and give up or feel defeated. They can however, pursue other means of support from medical, mental health, social services or even community based programs. But lastly, they can also contact the police. † (McGraw, 2008). As a parent myself of a severely bullied child, this advice really hits home for me. A parent often feels backed in a corner and helpless not being able to stop their child’s pain. This was an excellent book to read to teach parents, teachers and administrators that there is always help out there.They just have to know the channels to follow. In an article from the Register-Herald in Beckley, West Virginia, dated February, 26, 2011, a house panel agreed to arm educators with a stronger law to cope with cyber bullying over objections by some opponents that it goes too far by dealing with off campus texting and other wireless harassment. One major dispute was schools right to deal with bullying beyo nd school grounds, even on a vacation, for example. But in that scenario the bullying would have to spill over into school days and then disrupt the education process before it falls under a teachers right to act.Children should not be afraid to go to school. No matter where kids are no matter what time of year it is, a school now has jurisdiction to discipline now when they come back to school. Although, that is a great law parents also need to be more involved in the children’s lives. They need to know what is going on. They need to make their children feel that their home is their â€Å"safe place† and that they can come to their parents whenever problems arise. But the problem today is that the economy pulls parents in to working multiple jobs while older siblings or babysitters are left to care for the younger ones.Schools need to pay more attention and make use of their city’s Juvenile Court System to deal with unruly and abusive students and children. In another article by Tanya Roth of the York County Virginia Gazette dated August 9, 2010, a case that resulted in suicide caused by bullying resulted in a wrongful death suit seeking ten million dollars in damages. The mother of a high school freshman is suing school officials and one sheriff’s deputy for failing to enforce the anti-bullying policies she believes would have saved her sons life, but did not. Her son hanged himself on May 31, 2010.The suit details a meeting that took place at the school concerning the bullying, with all the defendants present. The school personnel should have been aware of the risk of emotional damage caused by the continued bullying, and should have enforced the anti-bullying policies available to them. Parents, elders and victims themselves are grasping at straws as a means to stop this physical and mental abuse. â€Å"Some parents are even filing law suits based on the theory of â€Å"premises liability. † Under this theory, occupiers and owners of land, including school, are required to keep their premises safe for those who are legally allowed to be there. (University of Nebraska, 2006). These laws are only a band-Aid to the reoccurring problem and in most cases never fully help the victim. The mental damage never goes away therefore just gives a victim â€Å"false hope† that they are going to be safe. Prevention of bullying needs to happen at the school, in class, and at the individual level. Bullying can also be prevented at home. â€Å"At the school level there needs to be better supervision of the students’ activities, an interesting, fun outdoor environment, contact phone numbers for the students and the parents, and teacher training groups.In the classroom there are many things teachers and students can do. They can make class rules against bullying and have activities that encourage good behavior. In the classroom, meetings between the teachers, parents, and students can help to prevent bu llying. Teachers or other authorities can have serious discussions with the bully to reduce the amount of bullying that occurs. † (McGraw, 2008). But everyone needs to wake up and realize that there is a problem in every state of the U. S. and in many cases in every home.Bullying creates a vicious circle. It makes the victim scared of the bully, which encourages the bully and makes it easier for him/her to bully the victim again and again. Repeated bullying keeps adding to the intensity and makes the victim more scared and it many cases suicidal and the circle keeps going on; unless the pattern is broken by someone outside this horrible circle. I chose this topic because I am amazed at the amount and severity of bullying that is allowed to go on in schools, the public and in many cases behind closed doors at home.After reading several books and articles and hours or research that I have spent on this topic; I am convinced more than ever that people truly need to take this prob lem seriously both at home and in school. The biggest problem is that both parents and schools turn their heads as a means to not have to admit that there is a problem to begin with. So, I am back to my original question: Are anti-bullying laws a solution, a band-aid to the problem or just a means of false hope to make the victim temporarily feel safe? I am not sure this problem will ever be solved.BibliographyMcGraw, J. (2008, November). Jay McGraw’s Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies. New York: Aladdin. University of Nebraska Lincoln. (2006, June). Facts about Bullying. Retrieved from www. targetbully. com/wst_page6. html Porterfield, M. (2011, February 26). Panel Agree to Stronger Bullying Laws. The Register -Herald. Retrieved from http://www. register-herald. com/local/x1709532935/Panel-agrees-to-stronger-bullying-laws/ Roth, T. (2010, August 9). School Bullying: Student Suicide Leads to Suit. York County, Virginia Gazette. Retrieved from:

Competency Differences between Baccalaureate nurses and Associate degree nurses Essays

Competency Differences between Baccalaureate nurses and Associate degree nurses Essays Competency Differences between Baccalaureate nurses and Associate degree nurses Essay Competency Differences between Baccalaureate nurses and Associate degree nurses Essay The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP), policy advisors to Congress and the Secretary for Health and Human Services on nursing issues, has urged that at least two-thirds of the nurse workforce hold baccalaureate or higher degrees in nursing by 2010. Baccalaureate Nursing ProgramBaccalaureate nursing programs encompass all of the course work taught in associate degree and diploma programs plus a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities. The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery.There are distinct differences between the 72 ADN credits and 125 BSN credits required in each of the nursing programs curriculum. The baccalaureate curriculum has a different focus, emphasizing evidenced-based clinical practice and leadership. Additional courses are offered in the baccalaureate curriculum, such as research, statistics, critical thinking, and public health/community health. In addition, the additional units prepare the baccalaureate nurse to pursue graduate study, leading to an advanced degree in nursing.Baccalaureate nursing programs encompass all of the course work taught in associate degree and diploma programs plus a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, nursing management, and the humanities. The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery. Associate Nursing ProgramOn the other hand, students entering associate degree nursing programs are focused on learning the technical aspects of nursing appropriate to providing direct care to patients and families, mostly in acute care settings. The associate degree nursing students learn the knowledge and skills required to care for individuals and families during illness and restoration after medical treatment, and usually practice a more restricted level of nursing care. The knowledge and nursing competencies are limited to direct hands-on patient care in the hospitals and community he alth facilities.The associate degree nursing programs have fewer units and teach only the basics of leadership needed for RN supervision of other health providers. The associate degree nursing programs do not prepare the nurses for graduate study. One might think, Well I want to be a bedside nurse and not a manager. The BSN nurse can and does provide excellent direct patient care. In fact research shows they use evidenced-based practice for better patient outcome, another difference in the ADN vs.BSN level of education. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that the ADN and BSN nurses are not different in skill competency when they graduate, but within a year, the BSN nurses show greater critical thinking skills, better problem solving, and the development of clinical judgment; three skills of increasing importance for the increase in acuity of patients in hospitals and other health care settings. Today, many hospitals are applying for the ANA Magnet status and prefer to empl oy BSN graduates.They encourage their own staff to go back to school for their BSN degree or they give preference in hiring to new BSN graduates. Many hospitals will pay the BSN graduate more, either to start, or through more frequent increases in his/her salary. In conclusion, the answer to the question, What is the difference between an ADN and BSN nurse? is to first answer the question, What do you want to do as a nurse, not just upon graduation or in two years but five and ten years from now? Think of a long term goal, your age, your interests and other personal facts.NACNEP found that nursing’s role calls for RNs to manage care along a continuum, to work as peers in interdisciplinary teams, and to integrate clinical expertise with knowledge of community resources. The increased complexity of the scope of practice for RNs requires a workforce that has the capacity to adapt to change. It requires critical thinking and problem solving skills; a sound foundation in a broad range of basic sciences; knowledge of behavioral, social and management sciences; and the ability to analyze and communicate data.Among the three types of entry-level nursing education programs, NACNEP found that baccalaureate education with its broader and stronger scientific curriculum best fulfills these requirements and provides a sound foundation for addressing the complex health care needs of today in a variety of nursing positions. Baccalaureate education provides a base from which nurses move into graduate education and advanced nursing roles.