Purpose

The Topic Search Strategy paper is the first of three related assignments. The purpose of this initial paper is to briefly describe your search strategies when identifying two articles that pertain to an evidence-based practice topic of interest.

Course outcomes: This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes.

1. Examine the sources of knowledge that contribute to professional nursing practice. (PO 7)

2. Apply research principles to the interpretation of the content of published research studies. (POs 4 and 8)

Due date: Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies to this assignment.

Total points possible: 120 points

Preparing the assignment:

Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions.

1) Students will be placed into groups by the end of the second week of the session. The groups will work together to select a practice problem of interest as the focus for the three RUA assignments in this course. The practice topic of interest will also be used to complete week 3 and week 5 independent student assignments, as well as a group PowerPoint presentation in week 6.

a. Individuals will complete this assignment independently for weeks 3 and 5.

b. Teams must assure that members do not use the same articles when completing this assignment.

c. Please make sure you do not duplicate articles within your group.

d. Paper should be 3-4 content pages in length. Title and reference pages are required but are excluded from 3-4 -page length.

2) The paper will include the following sections:

a. Clinical Question (30 points/25%)

· Describe the problem. What is the focus of your group’s work?

· Explain the significance of the problem in terms of patient outcomes. What health outcomes result from your problem? Or what statistics document this is a problem? You may find support on websites for government or professional organizations.

· PICOT question in support of the group topic.

· State the purpose of your paper. What will your paper do or describe? This is like a problem

statement. “The purpose of this paper is to . . .”

b. Levels of Evidence (20 points/16%)

· Identify the type of question being asked (therapy, prognosis, meaning, etc.).

· What is the best type of evidence to answer that question (e.g., RCT, cohort study, qualitative study, etc.)?

c. Search Strategy (50 points/43%)

· List search terms and results.

· Databases used (start with the CU library). Link your search with the PICOT question described above.

· Refinement decisions. As you did your search, what decisions did you make in refinement to get your required articles down to a reasonable number for review? Were any limits used? If so, what?

· Identification of two (2) most relevant articles (primary sources published within the last 5 years).

d. Format (20 points/16%)

· Correct grammar and spelling.

· Include a title page.

· Use of headings for each section.

· Clinical Question, Levels of Evidence, Search Strategy, and Conclusion

· Adheres to current APA formatting and guidelines.

· 3-4 pages in length, excluding title and reference pages.

For writing assistance, visit the Writing Center.

Please note that your instructor may provide you with additional assessments in any form to determine that you fully understand the concepts learned.

 

Assignment 3: Strategic Value of Employee Benefits Programs 
Due Week 8 and worth 170 points 

To attract, motivate, and retain good workers, companies need to define what an employee wants from the employment relationship. One way to define employee needs is to consider “total rewards,” which are everything an employee perceives to be of value resulting from working for the company. Benefits are a core element of total rewards and the ever-growing package of offerings have evolved. You must now work with the company to define precisely where the various programs will be categorized. 

Write a six to seven (6-7) page paper in which you: 

• Identify and discuss at least three (3) important variables that almost always should be considered by organizations when providing employee benefits programs. Be sure the response is specific and relevant.  
• Compare and contrast income protection programs and pay for time not worked programs, both of which are usual elements of benefits programs. How are the programs similar? Are they mandatory? 
• Research and discuss at least four to five (4-5) of what may be referred as “Other Benefits” that you could recommend to the management team as necessary elements for the benefits package. HINT: Flextime and product/service discounts are good examples. 
• Develop an employee benefits package for any exempt or non-exempt position level of your choosing, making sure you support the selection of your program elements. NOTE: The preferred method for presenting your benefits package information is using a table or exhibit, but either approach is not mandatory. HINT: http://www.isacs.org/uploads/file/Monographs/Business%20Operations/Benefits%20Plan.pdf 
  http://www.usbankhr.com/hr/docs/benefits/benefits-at-a-glance-next.pdf 
• Format your assignment according to these formatting requirements: 
  1. Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. 
  2. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment (with running head), the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length. 
  3. Include a reference page. Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length. Use the Strayer University Library at https://research.strayer.edu to locate additional sources to support your work. 

The specific course outcome associated with this assignment is:  

• Establish the importance of compensation and benefits, and how they support business strategy. 

  

Assignment Content

1.     You have been asked to present at an upcoming retreat for local leaders who are interested in learning how ethics, culture, and diversity contribute to an effective organizational environment.

   Prepare a 13- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation to support the primary topics you will discuss.

   Generate detailed speaker’s notes for each of your content slides. Your speaker’s notes should be written as if you were giving an actual presentation, so write well and communicate your information clearly. Justify your content with support from your textbook, peer-reviewed research, and other sources.

   Your presentation must include an appropriate cover slide, agenda slide, reference slide, and 10 to 12 content-specific slides.

   Review the Top Ten Slide Tips website to assist you in developing a quality, academically appropriate presentation.

   Format your citations and reference page according to APA guidelines.

HA3120D – Essentials of Managed Care

LP01 Assignment: Impact Paper

 Directions

Write a 2 to 3 page paper concerning the impact the development of MCOs has had on the doctor-patient relationship.

.List issues that have impacted the doctor-patient relationship due to the development of MCOs and the change in what the MCO expects from a doctor.

.After listing the issues, discuss the positives and/or negatives of each.

.From your text readings and research through the virtual library, etc., do you believe that the doctor-patient relationship has been affected more positively or negatively?

.Cite references to back your writings.

 

Competency

Appraise the workforce relations of an organization to ensure optimal performance.

Scenario

You are an HR Business Partner in a large electronics retailer. The VP of HR has recently implemented a new disciplinary process, which focuses more on performance improvement rather than automatic discipline and censure for behavior and performance issues. The VP of HR created a performance matrix to help guide managers to understand what types of disciplinary actions are appropriate for different infractions. The HR Business Partners have been instructed to use the matrix to coach line managers to better assess what type of disciplinary action should be taken for employee issues, with the use of a performance improvement plan whenever possible.

Your internal portfolio, as an HR Business Partner, includes the household machines division, which focuses on sales of washers and dryers, dishwashers, and other large home appliances. The sales manager of this division has requested assistance from HR in handling a performance problem. One of his employees is an innovative and energetic “star performer,” but becomes angry, defensive, and argumentative if the ideas, suggestions, and proposals he makes require changes or is not implemented. The sales manager has spoken to him once, but no changes have been observed. As the HR Business Partner prepare a coaching memo for the sales manager, which outlines which type of discipline the employee should receive as well as a performance improvement plan (PIP) for the employee.

Instructions

Prepare a coaching memo and a performance improvement plan (PIP), using the organization’s new discipline matrix, for the employee that:

• Provides primary issue/overall concern.
• Explains desired and actual performance.
• Demonstrates the impact (the sound business reasons why the problem must be solved).
• Demonstrates the consequences (the logical consequences the employee will face if he fails to correct the situation).
• Provides attribution for credible sources used as an appendix to the PIP.