FOR KIM WOODS

Strategic Analysis and Leadership Interventions

Kelley Hageman

Capella University

Introduction

Every organization that is offering services to people, must first implement strategies that will help in determining how to deal with different issues that tend to arise, more specifically in the nursing field. It is out of this a cycle is formed with various models that will facilitate changes, so as to reduce any boundaries that tend to occur. (Melnyk, & Overholt 2011). In these cases, we are focusing on the issue of blurring, which has caused a loss in clear nursing authority. The reason every nurse is licensed, is to ensure that better methods are applied in making sure that the patient receives the best, most recent, evidence based care, from the professional nurse. It has also been said that the character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possess. From the education of the nurse to the character, different leadership aspects are portrayed, and determine what professional qualities the nurse will offer to the patient. Having said that, the nurse needs to continue to acquire a better understanding, greater knowledge, and more refined skills that will help them improve their delivery of health care services to the patient, and what he/she brings to the table. In addition, the strategies and the working structure that are brought out, determines the application of the model to be used, and how each person is restricted to his/her responsibilities.

Choose an analysis model that is appropriate to your selected issue

Any model is initiated to making sure that certain matters are addressed which helps increase the ability to come up with better solutions in dealing with the issues at hand. More specifically, the boundaries that are created by the medical nurse administrator and senior nurses have at times been blurred, which has prompted a loss in apparent nursing authority. It is out of this that, this problem has caused patients to suffer, if the people that can best take care of them and their issues, is not being placed in charge of their care. Initiation of any Model implies that there are some factors that need to be addressed and accomplished for the better of the institution. In addition to models, the introduction of the PDSA cycle helps to solve particular issues which may arise from having the ability to use each model, in that it helps identify the primary cause of the problems and how the issues can be improved.

By introduction of these phases within the PDSA cycle, changes can be made. Change happens because with this model, planning is facilitated, acting in accordance to needs, and finally, the doing phase, which all show a good strategic structure, that the helps the nurse clearly identify any patient with any problem, and as a nurse leader, they can delegate accordingly. Apart from the PDSA cycle, there is focus methodology, which is a process, that facilities change that is happening. It is out of this model that every possibility of change is being presented, and can then bring about what is best for patient care, and it also implies that each person is responsible for his/her duty, since the structure that is created, shows every detail that should be followed by people who are offering different services, which makes clear the line of responsibility, and keeps the patient at the center of care.

Identify and describe the model you will be using, then use the model to analyze your work issue. Be sure to address the issue from a nurse leadership perspective.

PDSA cycle and the FOCUS methodology are both applicable in this case, and help clarify ways in which to facilitate change in the health care services, but I will be using the PDSA cycle. I am choosing this model because it essentially narrows it down to three questions being, what are we trying to accomplish? How will we know that a change is an improvement? What changes can we make that will result in improvement? (Ransom et al., 2005). With this model, a better strategy is formed in a quick easy manner. It focuses on what is the most important issue at hand, and what we do to improve it. Assessment of the situation will be carried out so as to know the reason the model is being initiated. For instance, in this case an evaluation of the patient’s experience of care can be obtained, which will bring to the forefront the main areas that are experiencing the most issues in the delivery of their care, and the roles of those involved in their care. From there, the nurse leader assesses the information, and delegates accordingly.

The strategies that are developed are to simply help the nurses have the credibility of enhancing changes so as to improve the health care sector, the care they are providing, and the safest way to practice. Hence, the central issue in this scenario is the gap that exists when nurses are not given clear authority to act on certain situations because of blurred lines of authority, or not feeling supported in their role. As a nurse leader, it needs to be made clear what, apart from the nurses scope of practice, what other issues they face, or responsibilities that in these particular instances are either theirs to take on, or someone else’s. Nurses, especially new nurses, need to be made to feel that they have a place in their workspace in which they belong. Nursing administrators need to make it clear what they take care of, what issues need to be brought up to them, and what they expect of others. Seasoned nurses need to be aware that “eating their young,” is not an acceptable approach and will not be tolerated. Lastly, new nurses need to be given appropriate and thorough training that will set them up to excel in their chosen field.

Choose one additional model and briefly describe that model.

Another model that might be applicable in this scenario is part of the strategic planning method. In this method, ssurveys and questionnaires are used along with focus groups and interviews, use of advisory boards, review of literature on similar programs, and review of best practices. Frequently, surveys or questionnaires are used when there are a large number of stakeholders in order to get a general idea of the options available. (Kelly, 2014) In this case there are a lot of stakeholders; you have nurses, managers, and patients. Surveying each of these groups, without names, can give a clear and concise idea as to how you as a team are doing, and areas in which you are lacking. There’s no real way to go wrong with this method.

Suggest six interventions that would be useful for the nurse leader when dealing with a variety of work issues. For each intervention, you should provide the expected outcome.

The nurse's environment is a fundamental factor in care that is provided, and one that should be highly considered. There are many interventions that can be used to ensure that the work environment and issues that tend to arise are controlled and addressed. Firstly, there is the aspect of better research that can be initiated in the health services, such as surveys. This would help the nurses to be in a position to eye any factor that will affect the patients’ care, and report on it, or rather suggest better ideas. This can also help nurse leaders to be informed on issues that may be slipping through the cracks. Secondly, are the inclusion and extraction criterion that identifies every nurse with different skill sets and experience. The nurse leader can look at this information, which can help come up with a better conclusion on solving different issues regarding patient care and delegation. Third, is the data extraction. This helps in obtaining better quality scores from the health sector and data synthesis, which enlightens on certain changes that tend to occur, how they are facilitated, and how it is affecting the unit as a whole. Quality assessment is the fourth, and it is a crucial intervention that nurse leaders should always portray. It is out of this that good records are obtained from the analysis of teammates and patients alike, and it helps with the management of the environment. Screening is the next intervention and skill a nurse leader should portray while working. It helps in improving the workplace since particular measures are taken to ensure that all issues are addressed. Last, is that the nurse leader needs to play an active role on the floor. If the nurse leader is playing an active role, it initiates teamwork, unites, decreases the feeling of being micro-managed, and promotes an environment of openness and equal responsibility.

References

Kelly, P. (2014). Essentials of nursing leadership and management. Clifton Park: Cengage Learning.

Melnyk, B. & Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: a guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.