Identify and describe at least two competing needs impacting your selected healthcare issue/stressor

Identify and describe at least two competing needs impacting your selected healthcare issue/stressor

Competing needs arise within any organization as employees seek to meet their targets and leaders seek to meet company goals. As a leader, successful management of these goals requires establishing priorities and allocating resources accordingly.

Within a healthcare setting, the needs of the workforce, resources, and patients are often in conflict. Mandatory overtime, implementation of staffing ratios, use of unlicensed assisting personnel, and employer reductions of education benefits are examples of practices that might lead to conflicting needs in practice.

Leaders can contribute to both the problem and the solution through policies, action, and inaction. In this Assignment, you will further develop the white paper you began work on in Module 1 by addressing competing needs within your organization.

To Prepare:

• Review the national healthcare issue/stressor you examined in your Assignment for Module 1, and review the analysis of the healthcare issue/stressor you selected.
• Identify and review two evidence-based scholarly resources that focus on proposed policies/practices to apply to your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
• Reflect on the feedback you received from your colleagues on your Discussion post regarding competing needs.

The Assignment (1–2 pages):

Developing Organizational Policies and Practices

Add a section to the 2–3 page paper you submitted in Module 1. The new section should address the following in 1–2 pages:

• Identify and describe at least two competing needs impacting your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
• Describe a relevant policy or practice in your organization that may influence your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
• Critique the policy for ethical considerations, and explain the policy’s strengths and challenges in promoting ethics.
• Recommend one or more policy or practice changes designed to balance the competing needs of resources, workers, and patients, while addressing any ethical shortcomings of the existing policies. Be specific and provide examples.
• Cite evidence that informs the healthcare issue/stressor and/or the policies, and provide two scholarly resources in support of your policy or practice recommendations.
• Due to the nature of this assignment, your instructor may require more than 7 days to provide you with quality feedback.

Expert Answer and Explanation

Developing Organizational Policies

The Competing Needs Impacting the Selected Healthcare Issue

Unbalanced nurse-to-patient ratios intertwine with certain competing needs including the nurse’s wellbeing versus the nurse’s workload. The wellbeing of the nursing staff is crucial for the effective delivery of care, yet nurses tend to struggle with meeting the workload targets especially in situations in which patients’ demand for health services is high. This occurs in poorly staffed hospitals or in healthcare organizations that are incapable of undertaking appropriate response to respond to the surge in the population of patients (Almeida, Figueiredo, & Lucas, 2024). Thus, balancing between adequate nursing staff, and ensuring that nurses are in good health to deliver care can be a dilemma for the healthcare organization.

Dealing with the financial limitations versus maintaining the required patient safety standards is also a competing need that an organization may experience. It is common for organizations to work towards attaining certain patient safety thresholds, or delivering optimal and adequate care. Due to the need to limit costs, however, it can be challenge for the organizations to acquire or employ more nurses, which can hamper the efforts focused on delivering safe and quality health services (Almeida et al., 2024. Therefore, limited financial resources may limit organizations’ capacity to recruit enough members of the staff.

Policy or Practice In My Organization That Can Influence the Selected Issue

My organization has a policy that emphasizes the retention of the employees especially nurses, which is part of the strategy focused on ensuring that it adheres to the required quality and safety standards. The policy covers various requirements including the requirement that the management grant nurses study leave to allow them to pursue career advancement objectives (Ferramosca et al., 2023). Part of these requirements includes salary increment for members of the staff to cushion them against the effect of inflation. This policy has a capacity of impacting the nurse staffing ratios in the organization by motivating nurses to choose it as their preferred work setting.

Critiquing the Policy for Ethical Considerations Including Its Strengths and Challenges In Promoting Ethics

Although the policy addresses most of the issues that affect the retention of nurses, it is limited in scope. It does not include a description of how the organization intends to determine the disabled staff members that are eligible for promotion.

The assessment of the policy elements shows that the policy supports the wellbeing of the nurse, and motivates them to continue working for the organization, which essentially helps support the delivery of quality care. This implies that the policy reduces the risk of injuries to patients (Waterfield & Barnason, 2022). However, it ignores the undelaying factors that account for nurses’ decisions to look for work opportunities elsewhere.

Recommendation of Policy or Practice Change Designed to Balance the Competing Needs of Resources, Staff and Patients

To ensure the policy addresses the highlighted issues, some of the changes to consider include allowing nurses to work remotely, and investing in remote patient monitoring systems. This would reduce the workload for nurses while cushioning the organization from the effects associated with the surge in the patient population (Waterfield & Barnason, 2022). To counter the effects of workload, the organization would need to establish a wellness program in which employees take care of their personal wellbeing.

Evidence that Informs the Healthcare Issue

A number of resources are dedicated towards supporting the wellbeing of providers, which can help reduce nurses’ risk of leaving the organization. For example, Pressley and Garside (2023) highlight the factors that determine nurses’ intention of continue working for an organization.

References

Almeida, D., Figueiredo, A. R., & Lucas, P. (2024). Nurses’ Well-Being at Work in a Hospital Setting: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(2), 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020173.

Ferramosca, F. M. P., De Maria, M., Ivziku, D., Raffaele, B., Lommi, M., Tolentino Diaz, M. Y., Montini, G., Porcelli, B., De Benedictis, A., Tartaglini, D., & Gualandi, R. (2023). Nurses’ Organization of Work and Its Relation to Workload in Medical Surgical Units: A Cross-Sectional Observational Multi-Center Study. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 11(2), 156. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11020156.

Pressley, C., & Garside, J. (2023). Safeguarding the retention of nurses: A systematic review on determinants of nurse’s intentions to stay. Nursing open, 10(5), 2842–2858. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1588.

Waterfield, D., & Barnason, S. (2022). The integration of care ethics and nursing workload: A qualitative systematic review. Journal of nursing management, 30(7), 2194–2206. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13723.

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How do competing needs impact the development of policy?

Healthcare policy shapes every aspect of nursing practice, from patient care protocols to professional scope of practice. Yet despite being the largest healthcare profession, nurses often find themselves underrepresented in policy-making processes. This disconnect between frontline expertise and policy development creates significant challenges for healthcare delivery and professional advancement.

The Complex Web of Competing Needs in Policy Development

Healthcare policy development operates within a complex ecosystem where multiple stakeholders advocate for often conflicting priorities. Understanding these competing needs is crucial for nurses seeking to influence policy effectively.

Economic Pressures vs. Quality Care Healthcare systems constantly balance cost containment with quality improvement. Insurance companies push for reduced spending and shorter hospital stays, while healthcare providers advocate for comprehensive care that may require additional resources. Nurses witness this tension daily as they manage heavy patient loads while striving to maintain high-quality care standards. Policy decisions around staffing ratios, for example, must weigh the economic burden on healthcare facilities against patient safety outcomes and nurse job satisfaction.

Federal vs. State Authority The American healthcare system’s federal structure creates inherent tensions between national standards and state autonomy. Federal agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services establish broad guidelines, while states maintain authority over professional licensing and many regulatory aspects. This division can create inconsistencies in practice standards across state lines, affecting nurse mobility and practice uniformity.

Professional Boundaries and Scope Creep Different healthcare professions often compete for expanded scope of practice, creating territorial disputes that influence policy decisions. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) seeking full practice authority may face opposition from physician organizations concerned about maintaining traditional hierarchies. These professional turf wars can impede policy progress and limit healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas.

Innovation vs. Safety The tension between embracing new technologies and maintaining safety standards significantly impacts nursing policy. Electronic health records, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence offer tremendous potential benefits but also raise concerns about patient privacy, clinical decision-making autonomy, and the changing nature of nurse-patient relationships. Policymakers must balance encouraging innovation with protecting patients and maintaining professional standards.

APRN Influence on Policy: Leveraging Advanced Education and Clinical Expertise

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses occupy a unique position in healthcare policy discussions, combining advanced clinical training with deep understanding of healthcare delivery challenges. Their influence potential extends across multiple policy domains.

Direct Policy Participation APRNs can directly influence policy through formal political engagement. Running for elected office, serving on regulatory boards, and participating in professional organizations’ lobbying efforts allows APRNs to bring clinical expertise directly to policy discussions. Their advanced education and specialized knowledge make them credible voices in legislative hearings and regulatory proceedings.

Evidence-Based Advocacy APRNs are uniquely positioned to conduct and interpret research that informs policy decisions. Their clinical practice provides real-world insights into policy effectiveness, while their advanced education equips them to design studies and analyze data. This combination allows APRNs to present compelling evidence for policy changes, whether advocating for expanded scope of practice or improved patient safety regulations.

Coalition Building Effective policy influence often requires building coalitions across different stakeholder groups. APRNs can serve as bridges between various healthcare professions, patient advocacy groups, and policy makers. Their broad clinical experience and collaborative training make them natural coalition builders who can find common ground among diverse interests.

Organizational Leadership Many APRNs hold leadership positions in healthcare organizations, giving them platforms to influence institutional policies that can later scale to broader policy changes. By demonstrating successful innovations in their practice settings, APRNs can create models that inform larger policy initiatives.

Barriers to Nursing Involvement in Policy Making

Despite nurses comprising the largest segment of healthcare professionals, their representation in policy-making remains disproportionately low. Several systemic and cultural factors contribute to this underrepresentation.

Educational Gaps Traditional nursing education emphasizes clinical skills and patient care but often provides limited exposure to policy processes, political engagement, or advocacy strategies. Many nurses graduate without understanding how policy affects their practice or how they might participate in policy development. This educational gap leaves nurses feeling unprepared to engage in policy discussions or unable to recognize opportunities for involvement.

Cultural and Professional Socialization Nursing culture has historically emphasized direct patient care as the profession’s primary value, sometimes viewing political engagement as secondary or even contradictory to nursing’s caring mission. This cultural perspective can discourage nurses from pursuing policy involvement, viewing it as removed from “real nursing.” Additionally, nursing’s collaborative and consensus-building approach may clash with the often adversarial nature of political processes.

Time and Resource Constraints The demanding nature of nursing practice leaves little time for policy engagement. Shift work, mandatory overtime, and high patient acuity create schedules that conflict with legislative sessions, public hearings, and policy meetings typically held during standard business hours. Financial constraints also limit nurses’ ability to take time off for policy activities or to pursue additional education in policy-related areas.

Lack of Unified Voice The nursing profession encompasses diverse roles, settings, and interests, making it challenging to present a unified policy position. Staff nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nurse administrators may have different priorities and perspectives on policy issues. This diversity, while professionally enriching, can dilute nursing’s political influence when competing priorities prevent cohesive advocacy efforts.

Structural Barriers Healthcare organizations may discourage or even prohibit employees from engaging in political activities, viewing such involvement as potential conflicts of interest. Union restrictions, employment contracts, and organizational policies can limit nurses’ ability to participate in policy advocacy. Additionally, the hierarchical nature of many healthcare settings may suppress nurses’ voices when their perspectives differ from administrative or physician viewpoints.

Policy’s Profound Impact on Nursing Practice

Healthcare policy permeates every aspect of nursing practice, often in ways that may not be immediately apparent to practicing nurses. Understanding these connections is essential for effective advocacy and professional development.

Scope of Practice Regulations State and federal policies directly determine what nurses can and cannot do in their practice. Scope of practice laws affect everything from medication administration and patient assessment to independent practice authority for APRNs. Recent policy trends toward expanding APRN independence have significant implications for healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas where physicians may be scarce.

Quality and Safety Standards Policy initiatives like the National Patient Safety Goals, hospital readmission penalties, and quality reporting requirements fundamentally shape nursing practice priorities. These policies influence staffing decisions, documentation requirements, and care protocols. Nurses must adapt their practice to meet policy-mandated quality metrics, which can sometimes create tension between standardized measures and individualized patient care.

Technology Integration Policies governing electronic health records, telemedicine, and health information exchange directly impact how nurses document care, communicate with patients and colleagues, and access clinical information. Privacy regulations like HIPAA affect how nurses can share information, while telemedicine policies determine when and how nurses can provide remote care.

Education and Competency Requirements Continuing education mandates, specialty certification requirements, and academic degree expectations all stem from policy decisions. The ongoing discussion about requiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as the entry level for professional nursing practice represents a significant policy debate with far-reaching implications for the nursing workforce and educational institutions.

Reimbursement and Funding Healthcare financing policies affect nursing practice through staffing levels, available resources, and care delivery models. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates influence hospital budgets, which directly impact nurse-to-patient ratios and available support services. Value-based payment models are reshaping how nurses prioritize interventions and measure success.

Moving Forward: Strategies for Increased Nursing Policy Engagement

Addressing the gap between nursing expertise and policy influence requires coordinated efforts across multiple levels of the profession.

Educational Reform Nursing programs must integrate policy education throughout the curriculum, not just as elective courses. Students need exposure to policy analysis, advocacy strategies, and political processes. Clinical experiences should include opportunities to observe policy implementation and its effects on patient care.

Professional Development Healthcare organizations and nursing associations should provide policy education and advocacy training for practicing nurses. Mentorship programs pairing experienced policy advocates with interested nurses can build capacity and confidence. Professional development funds should support nurses attending policy conferences and legislative events.

Organizational Support Healthcare institutions should encourage and support nurse participation in policy activities, recognizing that policy engagement ultimately benefits patient care and organizational effectiveness. This might include providing time off for legislative testimony, supporting nurses’ continuing education in policy areas, or creating internal policy committees with strong nursing representation.

Coalition Building Nursing organizations must work together more effectively, finding common ground while respecting diverse perspectives within the profession. Strategic alliances with other healthcare professions, patient advocacy groups, and community organizations can amplify nursing’s policy influence.

Conclusion

The relationship between nursing and healthcare policy is both complex and crucial. As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for nursing expertise in policy development becomes increasingly urgent. Competing needs will always create tensions in policy development, but nurses’ unique perspective as patient advocates and clinical experts provides valuable insights for resolving these conflicts.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, with their combination of clinical expertise and advanced education, are particularly well-positioned to influence policy. However, realizing this potential requires addressing the barriers that have historically limited nursing’s policy engagement. Through educational reform, professional development, and organizational support, the nursing profession can build the capacity needed to ensure that policy decisions reflect the realities of clinical practice and the needs of patients.

The ultimate goal is not simply increased nursing representation in policy making, but better policy outcomes that improve patient care, support professional practice, and strengthen healthcare systems. When nurses engage effectively in policy processes, everyone benefits: patients receive better care, nurses practice in more supportive environments, and healthcare systems operate more efficiently and effectively. The challenge now is translating this understanding into sustained action that bridges the gap between nursing expertise and policy influence.