Develop a 4–6-page proposal for executive leadership that addresses changes you would like to see within your organization that would advance the field of nursing.
Nursing is in the midst of many changes. In this assessment you will consider how you can be a driving force to bring about needed change within the field of nursing.
Collaborative interprofessional groups are at the heart of resolving contemporary nursing issues. The work of groups and teams is based on strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, led by effective and engaged leaders. Nurses leading collaborative teams are critical for resolving a number of issues such as errors in medications, accidents involving patients, and unsafe shortcuts.
Nurses truly are expert problem-solvers. Tucker and Edmondson (2002) found that nurses utilized problem-solving skills so often that it had become a routine aspect of a nurse’s day. However, nurses must be able to maximize their problem-solving skills in order to lead health care teams in addressing challenges, identifying evidence-based solutions, and implementing those solutions.
Reference
Tucker, A. L., & Edmondson, A. C. (2002). Managing routine exceptions: A model of nurse problem solving behavior. Advances in Health Care Management, 3, 87–113.
Preparation
To prepare for this assessment, you will need to think about changes you feel are needed to address a problem either within nursing as a professional field or within the organization where you work. Narrow down your options by considering which change would best be undertaken by an interprofessional team. Some examples for you to consider might include:
- The use of mobile and portable technology to support patients.
- Using evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve patient care.
- Increasing patient safety and quality of care.
- The use of medical technology such as genes and stem cells, or robots in the OR.
- Addressing the nursing shortage now and into the future.
- Improving the work environment (providing calm, supportive spaces for nurses; improved dialog between health care professionals).
- Better safety for nurses at work (violence, spreading diseases, physical injury).
- Substance abuse by health care professionals.
Or you can narrow the scope to an issue within your own organization:
- Developing a mobility program for an inpatient unit.
- Implementing “smart” technology to assist in patient monitoring.
- Creating a mentoring program to attract and retain nurses.
- Implementing protocols for infection control and/or treatment of an epidemic.
- Developing a plan to eliminate physical violence and verbal abuse in the workplace.