The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster Assignment - 1

The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster - Assignment Example In this paper, the author describes and comments on the various aspects of the accident. First, the author describes the events leading to the explosion. Next is a discussion of the main causes of the accident. Next, the author describes the steps that could have been taken to avert the accident. After that, a description of the prevailing culture within NASA is provided, accompanied with a discussion of how that culture might have impacted the decisions of NASA engineers and staff. The author then comments on the management of NASA and how the institution implements its systems and procedures. Finally, the author sums up the main points of the paper. Initially, Challenger had been scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) in Florida on January 22 at 14:42 Eastern Standard Time (EST). However, the launch did not happen as had been planned due to delays in the preceding mission, STS-61-C(McConnel, 1986). Consequently, Challenger launched was pushed forward to January 23 then January 24. The launch was once more moved to January 25 owing to unfavourable weather conditions at the Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) centre in Dakar, Senegal. NASA decide to use Casablanca as an alternative TAL, but because it lacked facilities for night landings, the launch was once more rescheduled for the morning of January 26, Florida time. Then, it was predicted that the weather at KSC would be unfavourable, so the lift-off was moved to January 27 at 9:37 EST. Again, the launch failed to take off due to problems registered in the exterior access hatch. By the time engineers solved the problems, the wind speed had increases substantially such that a launch was impossible. It was under these circumstances that the launch eventually happened on January 28, even though weather forecasts had predicted an unusually cold morning with temperatures close to -10C, the lowest possible temperature at which a launch may happen.

Culturally competent nursing care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Culturally competent nursing care - Essay Example Though the nurse was a little tough by insisting on the medication which would improve him and indicating that there was no reason for him not to take it, the patient obliged. She reminded him that this was the protocol in the post operative ward and the patient’s comfort was foremost in her mind. Her frustrated attitude was because she could not gauge why patients refuse necessary medications which could only benefit them. Deep down in my heart, I could understand why the patient refused to take the medication. The nurse was right in carrying out her duty but she could have utilized her knowledge of cultural diversity and respected the patient’s wishes. The Chinese believe that medications must be a last resort. Many in my country only take them when the pain is unbearable. This idea may seem old-fashioned to the modern world but they work for us. Demographic changes have reflected an increasingly diverse population globally. The immigration of people of varying races, ethnicity and cultures into America has similarly changed the demography. This increasingly multicultural profile of the American population requires that nurses provide culturally competent care in nursing. Leininger (1999) defined transcultural nursing â€Å"as a formal area of study, research, and practice which focuses on care beliefs based on culture, values and practices to help cultures or subcultures, not just maintain or regain their health system but also help facing disabilities or death in culturally congruent and beneficial caring ways† (Leininger, 1999). Hospitalized patients and their families are subjected to numerous stresses. If nurses lack cultural awareness and fail to provide culturally competent care, patients are more likely to experience increased stress and inadequate care provided by nurses. The understanding and provision of culturally competent care by nurses will make a difference to the health outcomes of many cultural