Details:
In this assignment, you will be writing a 1,000-1,250-word essay describing the differing approaches of nursing leaders and managers to issues in practice. To complete this assignment, do the following:
- Select an issue from the following list: nursing shortage and nurse turn-over, nurse staffing ratios, unit closures and restructuring, use of contract employees (i.e., registry and travel nurses), continuous quality improvement and patient satisfaction, and magnet designation.
- Compare and contrast how you would expect nursing leaders and managers to approach your selected issue. Support your rationale by using the theories, principles, skills, and roles of the leader versus manager described in your readings.
- Identify the approach that best fits your personal and professional philosophy of nursing and explain why the approach is suited to your personal leadership style.
- Identify a possible funding source that addresses your issue. Consider looking at federal, state, and local organizations. For example: There are many grants available through the CDC, HRSA, etc.
- Use at least two references other than your text and those provided in the course.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Apply Rubrics:
Benchmark – Effective Approaches in Leadership and Management
The comparison and contrast of how you would expect nursing leaders and managers to approach your selected issue meets all criteria for the assignment, is provided in detail. Higher level thinking is demonstrated by incorporating prior learning or reflective thought.
The identification of the approach that best fits your personal and professional philosophy of nursing meets all criteria for the assignment, and is provided in detail. Higher level thinking is demonstrated by incorporating prior learning or reflective thought.
A strong source of funding is established. The assignment criteria are clearly met. How the source of funding will address the proposed issue is thoroughly discussed.
Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
There is a sophisticated construction of paragraphs and transitions. Ideas progress and relate to each other. Paragraph and transition construction guide the reader. Paragraph structure is seamless.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
All format elements are correct.
In-text citations and a reference page are complete. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, I would like to provide an answer to the assignment that requires the description of the differing approaches of nursing leaders and managers to issues in practice. The selected issue for this answer is nurse staffing ratios.
Answer:
Nurse staffing ratios have been a topic of concern in the healthcare industry due to the impact it has on patient outcomes and nursing job satisfaction. The approach of nursing leaders and managers to this issue differs significantly.
Nursing leaders are responsible for strategic planning, long-term goal setting, and creating an environment that fosters professional and personal growth among nurses. They typically approach nurse staffing ratios by advocating for safe patient-to-nurse ratios and ensuring that quality of care is not compromised. Leaders also focus on creating a culture where nurses receive the support they require to execute their duties optimally. Nursing leaders believe safe staffing levels enhance patient outcomes, reduce nurse burnout and ultimately benefit the healthcare system.
On the other hand, nursing managers are responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling daily operations such as staffing, scheduling, and budget. They approach nurse staffing ratios by making staffing decisions based on the amount of work, available resources, and financial constraints. Managers may be faced with staffing challenges due to unforeseen events such as staff absenteeism, budget cuts, or patient arrivals that exceed original staff plans. In such cases, managers have to balance staffing levels with the available resources.
My personal and professional philosophy of nursing aligns with the approach of nursing leaders towards nurse staffing ratios. As a leader, I believe in prioritizing patient safety, staff satisfaction and ensuring that organizations have adequate resources to meet staffing demands. Nurse-to-patient ratios have direct implications for patient outcomes. Adequate staffing levels translate into better quality care, reduced medical errors, and lower mortality rates.
A possible funding source that addresses the issue of nurse staffing ratios is the HRSA Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program. This program provides funding to nursing schools, academic health centers, state and local governments, and other entities to enhance the quality of nursing education. Specific funding for nurse-to-patient staffing ratios may be available within this program.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the approach of nursing leaders and managers to nurse staffing ratios differ significantly. While nursing managers focus on day-to-day operations and staffing decisions, nursing leaders prioritize patient outcomes, staff satisfaction, and safe nurse-to-patient ratios. As a leader, my personal and professional philosophy aligns with the approach adopted by nursing leaders. Finally, the HRSA Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program provides a possible funding source to address the issue of nurse staffing ratios.
