Thesis on "Community Assessment of ZIP Code 89015 Henderson Nevada"

Thesis 5 pages (1626 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Nursing

Community Assessment of ZIP Code 89015 Henderson, Nevada

The city of Henderson, Nevada came into existence in America's defense ten years prior to its incorporation during World War II with the building of a Basic Magnesium Plant. The plant was used to supply the U.S. War Department with magnesium for munitions and airplane parts. However in 1947, magnesium production was no longer necessary for defense and most of the 14,000 employees moved away. The result of this saw enrollment in the school system reduced by two thirds and well over half the town site houses, built to house plant workers, were abandoned. In 1947 the United States War Asset Administration offered Henderson for sale as war surplus property. But in an effort to save the city, the Nevada Legislature spent a weekend visiting Henderson evaluating the possibility of state administration of Basic Magnesium. After the visit the legislators unanimously approved a bill giving the Colorado River Commission of Nevada the authority to purchase the industrial plants. This helped save Henderson from becoming war surplus property (Our History, 2009).

On April 16, 1953, the City of Henderson, Nevada, was officially incorporated. Originally it was about 13 square miles in size. The City began to quickly grow and flourish. Presently, the City of Henderson has grown to more than 103 square miles and is the second largest city in Nevada. Henderson has become known as having small town values with big city efficiencies. "The city's official slogan "Henderson -- a Place to Call Home" reflects a community that enjoys small town values while benefiting from big city efficiencies" (Our History, 2009).

Over the years there have been an increasing number of major shopping malls, movie theater complexes, restaurants and casino resorts offer residents a variety of choices for leisure time. The City also possesses the largest recreational facility, the Multigenerational Facility at Liberty Pointe, in Nevada as well as Nevada's only scenic Bird Preserve. Henderson is located just a few miles from McCarran International Airport, and the Henderson Executive Airport, which was recently acquired by Clark County (Our History, 2009).

Despite the growth and prosperity that Henderson has enjoyed over the years it has its share of problems as well. Two of these such problems that face the city today are those of a lack of residents with a higher education and a growing drug problem that is a concern to all. Both of these issues have direct links to the nursing profession and have an impact on the nursing community as well as the entire community as a whole.

Within the past five years, eight higher education institutions have opened campuses in Henderson, Nevada. That now makes there 13 throughout the city. These schools are reaping the benefits of the untapped market that exists here. In addition to the area's unprecedented growth and the subsequent demand for nurses and teachers, the schools are benefiting because of the Las Vegas valleys maturing economy. The present economy is calling for more highly-trained technical employees and professionals every year (Private schools finding success in Henderson market, 2004).

The fact that Henderson has low property tax rates and a friendly business environment, it is thought by many that access to higher education will assure a high quality of life and offer enormous opportunities to its citizens. Almost one in three of Henderson's citizens has some college education but has yet to earn a college degree. This is something that the local universities are trying to change based on the growing needs for professionals in the area. Educational institutions are contributing to the community's skilled workforce and the development of a core of qualified professionals that are essential for successful and sustained growth. This partnership between the business community and the education community will ensure that Henderson has economic success now and in decades to come (Private schools finding success in Henderson market, 2004).

Even with the current trend of educational institutions opening their doors within the Henderson area, there still seems to be a lack of higher educational attainment within the areas. In 2007 the U.S. Census Bureau conducted the America Community Survey. In this survey the educational attainment levels were measures in Henderson, Nevada. The data shows that only 17% of those 25 years of age and older have obtained at least a bachelors degree. It was found that only 9.8% of that same group had obtained a graduate or professional degree (Educational Attainment. (2007).

The impact that the economy is having on education can be seen everywhere, especially higher education. As budgets get cut, classes get cancelled and the students to teacher ratios increase. This is having a long-term impact on Nevada in that it is creating a shortage of trained professionals like nurses and teachers. It is widely known that when unemployment levels rise, those out of work typically look to improve their skills. They either update their current skill set, or pick up a new set. Both the job seeker and the employer benefit from this when the economy turns around. It is thought by many experts that Nevada should be investing in education during this time period, in preparation for the future (Doug, 2009).

Even with all of the things that there are to do in the city of Henderson, Forbes Magazine recently voted Henderson as one of the ten top boring cities in America. It is well-known that with boredom follows drug use and unfortunately, Henderson has an ongoing drug problem that is of great concern (Drug Rehabs: Henderson, Nevada, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Information, 2009).

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reports that meth is the most frequently encountered drug in Nevada and remains available in both personal use and distribution quantities. Nevada seems to be both a point of importation and a transshipment location for methamphetamine. Locally cultivated and Mexican-grown marijuana remains readily available in Nevada. Mexican poly-drug trafficking organizations are still the primary source of marijuana smuggled into the area, primarily coming from California via ground transport. Statistics have shown an increased commonness of indoor marijuana cultivation in the Las Vegas area during the past year. Cocaine HCl is being transported into Nevada primarily from California via ground transportation. Crack cocaine is heavily available in the urban areas of Nevada. African-American street gangs predominantly control the distribution market for crack cocaine and base their operations in inexpensive motel rooms and apartments located in impoverished areas throughout Nevada's larger cities, like Henderson (Drug Rehabs: Henderson, Nevada, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Information, 2009).

Because of this high concentration of drugs available, the city of Henderson, there is an increased need for effective drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment centers as drug and alcohol use continues to go up. Drug use erodes the quality of life not only for the user, but for their families and the community as a whole. Marriages and families are torn apart because of mistrust, betrayal, fear and anger. Careers are often ruined, companies lose millions of dollars in lost production time, cities and suburbs become tainted by the increased crime and violence that goes with drug trafficking and drug addiction. In the State of Nevada and specifically in the city of Henderson, the effects of drug and alcohol abuse goes way past the damage done to the addicts themselves. It impacts in terms of time lost on the job, to the health system that is inundated by illness and overdoses to communities harmed by the crime rate caused by addicts (Drug Rehabs: Henderson, Nevada, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Information, 2009).

Because of the high drug use that exists in the Henderson area, there is an ever increasing need for medical facilities and rehab services. These types of services and facilities need to staff in order to run them and make them successful.… READ MORE

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