Title: Efficient purchasing in an organization: the importance of qualified purchasing personnel (A case study of ABB, Västerås)     Purpose: The purpose of this research is to learn and present how ABB (Västerås) perceives the role of the purchasing function, and the importance of involving qualified purchasing personnel in the purchasing process. By evaluating their: ·           Level of participation in the overall corporate planning process, ·           Relationship to suppliers and other internal units, ·           Responsibilities toward the organization, for determining how they contribute to its efficiency   Method:  This thesis is a case study on ABB (Västerås). We have used a qualitative method to conduct the research. We have also obtained primary data through face-to-face interviews and secondary data by an extensive literature search using peer-reviewed articles, textbooks, search engines, and the MDH database.   Conclusion: Subsequent to our findings, we are of the opinion that there is a positive perception concerning the role of purchasing function and purchasing personnel in ABB. We assert this is due to the recognition that purchasing, contributes significantly to the organization’s profit, helps in making savings and reducing costs compared to what was obtainable a few decades ago. We have also found that there is also a realization on the part of management that the skills and knowledge of the purchasing personnel in devising strategies, coordinating with other internal functions, and dealing with suppliers etc. are major factors responsible for the benefits that purchasing provides to ABB (Västerås).   We have observed through our findings that the efficiency of the purchasing function in ABB is rooted in its purchasing personnel. In our opinion purchasing personnel high involvement in the corporate planning process in ABB, cooperation with top management, and liaison with other functional units are what makes purchasing efficient in the organization.

Bakgrund: Varje år utexamineras cirka 4000 sjuksköterskor i Sverige. Nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskors ansvarsområde är omvårdnad och att som nyutexaminerad börja arbeta som sjuksköterska kan upplevas olika. Syftet: var att beskriva hur det upplevs att arbeta som nyutexaminerad sjuksköterska. Metod: En allmän litteraturstudie genomfördes och tolv vetenskapliga artiklar analyserades och beskrevs. Resultat: De nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskorna upplevde det som utmanande, stressande, oroande och utvecklande men kände sig otillräckliga i sitt arbete som sjuksköterska. Detta upplevdes när de arbetade självständigt och samarbetade med arbetskamrater och patienter. Praktiska moment som nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskor inte var vana vid att utföra väckte negativa känslor såsom oro och stress. Att få stöd av omgivningen i form av en bekräftande kommunikation och att ingå i vårdlaget var betydelsefullt. Diskussion: Det är därför av vikt att blivande sjuksköterskor får praktiskt träna skilda moment i omvårdnaden under utbildningens gång samt får stöd av omgivningen. / Background: Four thousand nurses graduate every year in Sweden. Although newly qualified nurses' responsibility lies in the caring of patients their experiences at starting work may differ. The objective: was to describe how it feels to work as a newly qualified nurse. Method: A literature review was conducted and twelve scientific articles were analyzed. Results: The newly qualified nurses experienced challenge, stress, worry, development and felt inadequate in her job as a nurse. This was experienced when they worked independently and collaborated with colleagues and patients. Practical steps that graduates nurses were not accustomed to performing aroused negative emotions such as anxiety and stress. Getting support of colleagues and others in the form of an affirmative communication and being part of the care team was also significant. Discussion: It is therefore important that prospective nurses are supported by their colleagues and are used in the training process of different operations in the nursing care.

Syfte: Att beskriva nyutexaminerade allmänsjuksköterskors upplevelser av att vårda patienter i livets slut.  Metod: Författaren har genomfört en kvalitativ intervjustudie med beskrivande design. Undersökningsgruppen valdes ut genom bekvämlighetsurval och bestod av sju allmänsjuksköterskor som jobbat max två år som sjuksköterska. Det insamlade materialet analyserades utifrån en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat I analysen framkom sju kategorier. De intervjuade sjuksköterskorna beskrev en tillfredsställelse i arbetet med patienter i livets slut, vilket kunde dels bero på att de utvecklades i det jobb de gör, men det kunde också bero på att de fick uppskattning från patient och anhöriga. Trots arbetstillfredsställelsen som sjuksköterskorna beskrev kunde de även få en känsla av otillräcklighet i vårdandet av patienter i livets slut, vilket kunde vara en konsekvens av brist på tid och personal. De beskrev även att de ibland blir ledsna och grubblar efter att en patient avlidit. Sjuksköterskorna beskrev även en glädje trots sorg i sitt jobb, detta kunde vara om de såg att en patient mådde bra trots sin sjukdom. Erfarenhet ger trygghet ansåg också sjuksköterskorna. Både jobbigt och befriande när döden inträdde var något som sjuksköteskorna beskrev. Nära och fin men påfrestande relation var hur sjuksköterskorna beskrev relationen till patient och anhöriga.  Slutsats: Anhöriga hade en stor del i vårdandet av patienter i livets slut, och detta påverkade hur sjuksköterskor tänkte och kände kring detta. I mötet med patienter och deras familjer kunde trygghet som kommer med erfarenhet, underlätta. / Aim: To describe the new graduated registered general nurses' experiences of caring for patients in the end of life. Method: The author conducted a qualitative interview with descriptive design. The study group was selected by convenience sample and consisted of seven general nurses who had worked maximum two years as a nurse. The collected material was analyzed from a qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis revealed seven categories. The nurses that were interviewed described a job satisfaction that could partly be because they were developed in the work they do, but it could also be because they got appreciation from patients and relatives. Despite the job satisfaction that the nurses described, they could also get a sense of inadequacy, which could be a consequence of lack of time and personnel. They also explained that they sometimes become sad and would think a lot after a patient died. The nurses also described a joy in their job, this could be if they saw that the patients were feeling well despite their illness. With experience the nurses felt more confidence in their job. The nurses also explained that they thought it was both difficult and liberating when death occurred. Near and nice but stressful relationship is how the nurses described the relationship with the patient and relatives.  Conclusion: Relatives have a big part in caring for patients in end of life, and this affects the way nurses think and feel about the situation. In meeting with patients and their families, feeling safe in the situation because of earlier experience, can make it easier.

Bakgrund: Nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskor upplever övergången från student till yrkesutövningen som skrämmande. Det är av vikt att de praktiska utbildningsplatserna till studenterna ska finnas tillgängliga med resurser för praktisk utbildning och handledning. Syfte: Att belysa nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskors upplevelser av sitt första år i sin yrkesutövning. Metod: Allmän litteratur studie, där 14 vetenskapliga artiklar granskades. Resultat: Sex kategorier framkom: Farhågorna i den nya yrkesrollen; Att känna sig redo i den nya yrkesrollen; Arbetskläder- ökad status; Otillräcklig erfarenhet; Stressig arbetsmiljö och Brist på stöd och handledning. Diskussion: De tre viktigaste fynden var otillräcklig erfarenhet, stressig arbetsmiljö samt brist på stöd och handledning. Att vara oerfaren i den nya rollen upplevdes som en jobbig period. Konflikter i teamet ledde till stress och hälsoproblem. De nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskorna uttryckte en önskan om bättre handledning och stöd. Slutsats: Nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskor behöver stöd och handledning i form av introduktionsprogram under första året. / Background: Newly qualified nurses are experiencing the transition from student to profession as appalling. It is important that the training places to students shall be available resources for training and introduction. Aim: To highlight the newly graduated nurses ' experiences of their first year in their profession. Method: General literature study in which 14 scientific articles were reviewed Findings: Six categories were found: Fears of the new professional role; To feel ready in the new professional role; Uniform- increased status; Insufficient experience; Stressful work environment and Lack of support and tutoring.Discussion: The three most important findings was insufficient experience, stressful work environment and lack of support and tutoring. Being inexperienced in the new role was perceived as a tough period. Conflicts in the team led to stress and health problems. The newly graduated nurses expressed a desire for better guidance and support. Conclusion: Newly graduated nurses need support and guidance in the form of introduction program during the first year.

This study was designed to collect data to determine the specific characteristics (gender, level and area of degree status, certification status, pedagogical training, gender, number of years of teaching experience, number of years teaching at the current school, and courses currently taught) of language arts teachers at Florida's low-performing pubic high schools and compare these characteristics to teachers' sense of efficacy (the extent to which teachers' believe they have the ability to bring about changes in student achievement independent of the student's background, behaviors, or motivation level). A total of 615 teachers representing 84 schools in 36 districts participated in the study. Teachers completed a researcher-created survey questionnaire and the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale Long (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2001). The data were collected and analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression statistics.The majority of the respondents meet the minimum re quirements of highly qualified teachers as defined by NCLB. However, only 37% of responding language arts teachers at Florida's low-performing public high schools have degrees in English education, and only 15% of responding reading teachers have degrees in reading or reading education. Additionally, the majority of the responding teachers have been only been teaching at the school site for five or fewer years.Although the majority of responding teachers reported moderate to high sense of classroom management and instructional practice efficacy, over 43% reported low sense of student engagement efficacy, suggesting the teachers do not believe they possess the skills or knowledge necessary to engage students in learning. The study suggests that improving student achievement for our lowest-performing students may require more than providing students with highly qualified teachers defined by NCLB. Districts and schools must examine more closely the characteristics of highly effective teac hers in order to recruit and retain teachers who can truly impact student achievement for students who have previously demonstrated a lack of success. Additionally, schools would benefit from professional development designed to provide teachers with classroom strategies that engage students in learning and which helps develop a school-wide literacy culture reflecting high expectations for student achievement.

The topicalities of these days determine the changes of development process. Renewing the system of education it is necessary to improve the qualitative constitution of pedagogical staff because an efficient and professional competence of pedagogues is important factor of development quality. The retraining, acquirement of new profession and a permanent improving of qualification are remaining the most important ways to reduce the danger of teachers’ unemployment. The purpose of survey: The peculiarities of permanent learning of teachers who changed the character of professional working activity in Utena district. The object of survey: The needs and possibilities of learning. The goals of work: 6. To review the scientific literature, the carried surveys and documents analyzing the changes of teachers’ role and professional self-expression in the society. 7. To clear the reasons conditioning teachers’ decision to change the character of work. 8. To analyze the reasons why the teachers couldn’t learn. 9. The factors of permanent learning that changed the character of work. The methods of survey: 4. Theoretical: the analysis of philosophical, pedagogical, psychological literature and certain documents. 5. Diagnostic: the questioning of teachers who changed the character of work. The conversations with the specialists of department of education and sport of Utena district municipality who are tutoring the programs of retraining studies for teachers as well as with the... [to full text]

The aim of this study was to develop guidelines for the support of newly qualified nurses to ease their transition from student to professional practitioners in Lesotho; based on an exploration and description of the newly qualified nurses’ first hand experience of their transition from student to professional practitioners in a public hospital in Lesotho. The rationale behind the study was the researcher’s perception of an attitude change observed in the newly qualified professional practitioners. An explorative, descriptive, contextual, qualitative research design was chosen. The sample included all newly qualified professional nurses who worked in a public hospital in Lesotho for a period of one year or less. Data collection took place by means of semi–structured individual interviews with ten (10) participants and a focus group interview with eight (8) of the original participants. Content analysis of the data in the qualitative tradition was independently done by two coders who identified four (4) themes and ten (10) sub–themes. The first theme was described as reality shock, including the sub–themes emotional reactions and limited resources. The second theme, competence, includes the sub–themes of knowledge, skills and attitude. A third theme describes the participants experience of the support from management, colleagues, the Ministry of Health and Social welfare, nursing educational institutions and the community. The fourth theme describes the participants’ vision for the future. Each of the themes was discussed together with relevant data obtained from literature and reduced to a conclusive statement which served as basis for the formulation of guidelines to ease the transition from student to professional practitioner in Lesotho. The research report concluded with the researcher’s evaluation of the study and recommendations for nursing education, nursing management and further research. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study was to develop guidelines for the support of newly qualified nurses to ease their transition from student to professional practitioners in Lesotho; based on an exploration and description of the newly qualified nurses’ first hand experience of their transition from student to professional practitioners in a public hospital in Lesotho. The rationale behind the study was the researcher’s perception of an attitude change observed in the newly qualified professional practitioners. An explorative, descriptive, contextual, qualitative research design was chosen. The sample included all newly qualified professional nurses who worked in a public hospital in Lesotho for a period of one year or less. Data collection took place by means of semi–structured individual interviews with ten (10) participants and a focus group interview with eight (8) of the original participants. Content analysis of the data in the qualitative tradition was independently done by two coders who identified four (4) themes and ten (10) sub–themes. The first theme was described as reality shock, including the sub–themes emotional reactions and limited resources. The second theme, competence, includes the sub–themes of knowledge, skills and attitude. A third theme describes the participants experience of the support from management, colleagues, the Ministry of Health and Social welfare, nursing educational institutions and the community. The fourth theme describes the participants’ vision for the future. Each of the themes was discussed together with relevant data obtained from literature and reduced to a conclusive statement which served as basis for the formulation of guidelines to ease the transition from student to professional practitioner in Lesotho. The research report concluded with the researcher’s evaluation of the study and recommendations for nursing education, nursing management and further research. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Death qualification is a problematic aspect of capital trials, as death qualified jurors have higher conviction rates than non-death qualified jurors. The current study examines whether the death qualification process itself affects juror decision-making via attitude salience effects. Participants (n=90) recruited from the venire juror pool at the Santa Ana Superior Court were asked to read a trial transcript and decide guilt or innocence and whether they would sentence the defendant to death. Half of the participants were given a survey determining death qualification before they read the trial (making death qualification salient), while the other half were given the survey at the end of the study (not salient condition). Although the results do not support the theory that the death qualification process biases jurors’ verdict and sentencing decisions, they do suggest that the proportion, attitudes, and demographics of non-death qualified jurors have changed substantially since initial research on death qualification was undertaken.

A atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto por pessoal qualificado é fundamental para a redução da mortalidade materna e neonatal. A Confederação Internacional de Parteiras (ICM) preconiza quais os conhecimentos e as habilidades que o profissional qualificado deve possuir para proporcionar à mulher uma atenção de qualidade, em todas as fases do ciclo reprodutivo. Este estudo buscou conhecer a realidade do atendimento realizado pelo profissional de enfermagem na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto, no município de Araraquara/SP. Objetivos: Caracterizar os profissionais de enfermagem que atuam na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto e analisar as competências essenciais desenvolvidas por eles nesta prática. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa cujos dados foram coletados através da entrevista estruturada com os profissionais de enfermagem e da observação sistemática não participativa das competências essenciais em obstetrícia. A população estudada foi composta por 42 profissionais de enfermagem, sendo 32 atuantes na atenção ao pré-natal e 10 na atenção ao parto. Foram observadas na atenção ao pré-natal 44 recepções na unidade, 28 pré-consultas e 44 pós-consultas, além de 44 gestantes em sala de espera e 44 gestantes em sala de consulta médica. Na atenção ao parto foram observados 15 avaliações obstétricas admissionais, 18 trabalhos de parto, 11 partos vaginais, 9 pós-partos imediatos e 11 recepções neonatais. Resultados: Na atenção ao prénatal, o perfil dos profissionais revela uma equipe feminina (96,9%), maior que 41 anos (65,6%), convivendo em relação conjugal estável (50%), tendo experiência de ter tido filhos (68,7%), com cor da pele declarada branca (71,9%) e tempo de atuação na área de saúde maior de 10 anos (59,4%) e menos de 10 anos de formação profissional no maior nível de qualificação (62,5%). A carga horária média de trabalho foi de 39,4 horas semanais, 85% atuam em apenas um emprego, a média de salários dos profissionais de nível médio da Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) corresponde a 43,9% da remuneração média das enfermeiras, enquanto o Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF) corresponde a 58,5%; 66,7% das enfermeiras possuem pós-graduação lato sensu na área de saúde pública; não encontramos enfermeira especialista em obstetrícia. Quanto às competências essenciais, as enfermeiras não realizam o acompanhamento de pré-natal na UBS e no PSF tal prática ocorre eventualmente. O atendimento é centrado na figura do médico, há discreta participação das enfermeiras e as habilidades essenciais em obstetrícia, preconizadas pela ICM, deixaram de ser desenvolvidas. Na atenção ao parto, o perfil dos profissionais revela uma equipe feminina (100%), com idade média de 36,6 anos, convivendo com relação conjugal estável (60%), tendo experiência de ter tido filhos (70%) e com cor da pele declarada branca (70%). A carga horária média de trabalho foi de 46,8 semanal, 80% das enfermeiras trabalham em dois empregos e a média de salários dos profissionais de nível médio corresponde a 39,3% da remuneração média das enfermeiras. Todas as enfermeiras são especialistas em obstetrícia e 80% têm de 1 a 4 anos de formação após a especialização. O tempo médio de experiência na atenção ao parto das enfermeiras foi de 14 anos e 6 meses e dos profissionais de nível médio de 3 anos e 1 mês. Quanto às competências essenciais, compete à enfermeira obstetra a avaliação obstétrica admissional, o acompanhamento ao trabalho de parto e a realização do parto. Muitas das habilidades essenciais em obstetrícia, preconizadas pela ICM, deixaram de ser desenvolvidas ou o foram de maneira incompleta. Conclusões: Na atenção ao pré-natal há carência de pessoal qualificado, enquanto o modelo de atenção ao parto prioriza a qualificação profissional. Muitas das competências essenciais na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto, preconizadas pela ICM, não estão sendo desempenhadas ou quando realizadas, ocorrem de maneira incompleta. O estudo revela a necessidade de reorganização da assistência ao pré-natal e ao parto para a redução da mortalidade materna e neonatal e da incidência de parto cesárea desnecessário no município. / The attention to prenatal and childbirth by qualified staff is fundamental to achieve a reduction in rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) determines the knowledge and the abilities which a qualified professional must have in order to provide women with healthy care, during all phases of the Reproductive cycle. This study aimed to recognize the reality of the attendance offered by the professional of nursery in attention to prenatal and childbirth, in the city of Araraquara (SP).Objectives: Characterize the professionals of nursery who act in attention to prenatal and childbirth, as well as analyse the essential competences developed by them concerning this practice. Methodology: A descriptive study, with qualitative approach, whose data were collected through structured interviews with professionals of nursery and non-participative systematic observation of essential competences in Obstetrics. The studied population was composed by 42 Nursery professionals: 32 acting in attention to prenatal and 10 in attention to childbirth. Concerning attention to prenatal, 44 receptions at the unit, 28 pre consults and 44 post consults, besides 44 gestants in waiting room and 44 gestants in medical consult room were observed. Regarding attention to childbirth, 15 admissional obstetric evaluations, 18 in labours, 11 vaginal deliveries, 9 immediate post deliveries and 11 neonatal receptions were observed. Results: Concerning attention to prenatal, the profile of the professionals reveals a female staff (96, 9%), over 41 years old (65, 6%), living a stable marriage (50%), having had the experience of having children (68, 7%), with colour of skin declared as being white (71, 9%), having worked with Health for more than 10 years (59, 4%) and having had less than 10 years of professional graduation at the highest level of qualification (62, 5%). The average of working hours was 39, 4 hours per week, 85% have just one job, the average of the salary for the professionals of a middle level from Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) corresponds to 43, 9% of the average of nurses payment, whereas from Programa de Saúde da Famíla (PSF) it corresponds to 58, 5%; 66, 7% of the nurses have post graduation latu sensu in Public Health; we havent found nurses who specialized in Obstetrics. Regarding essential competences, nurses do not accompany prenatal at USB and at PSF such practice occurs eventually. The attendance is focused on the doctors leading role, there is discreet nurse participation and the essential abilities determined by ICM have stopped to be developed. Concerning attention to childbirth, the profile of the professionals reveals a female staff (100%), with 36, 6 years old on average, living a stable marriage (60%), having had the experience of having children (70%) and with colour of skin declared as being white (70%). The average of working hours was 46, 8 hours per week, 80% of the nurses have two jobs and the average of the salary for the professionals of a middle level corresponds to 39, 3% of the average of nurses payment. All the nurses have specialized in Obstetrics and 80% have between 1 to 4 years of graduation after that. Their experience in attention to childbirth, on average, is comprised of 14 years and six months and, for the professionals of a middle level, it consists of three years and a month. Regarding essential competences, the obstetric nurse is in charge of the admissional obstetric evaluation, the accompaniment to in labour and realization of the childbirth. Many of the essential abilities in Obstetrics, determined by ICM, have stopped to be developed or have been underdeveloped. Conclusion: During attention to prenatal, there is a lack of qualified staff, whereas the model of attention to childbirth prioritises professional qualification. Many of the essential competences in attention to prenatal and childbirth determined by ICM are no longer being carried out or are incomplete. The study reveals the necessity of reorganization of the assistance to prenatal and childbirth, in order to achieve a reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality as well as the incidence of unnecessary cesarean birth in the city.