In this Assignment you will practice this type of leadership by advocating for a healthcare
Much like honeyguide birds and honey badgers, nurses and health professionals from other specialty areas can—and should—collaborate to design effective programs. Nurses bring specialties to the table that make them natural partners to professionals with different specialties. When nurses take the requisite leadership in becoming involved throughout the healthcare system, these partnerships can better design and deliver highly effective programs that meet objectives.
In this Assignment you will practice this type of leadership by advocating for a healthcare program. Equally as important, you will advocate for a collaborative role of the nurse in the design and implementation of this program. To do this, assume you are preparing to be interviewed by a professional organization/publication regarding your thoughts on the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.
To Prepare:
- Review the Resources and reflect on your thinking regarding the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.
- Select a healthcare program within your practice and consider the design and implementation of this program.
- Reflect on advocacy efforts and the role of the nurse in relation to healthcare program design and implementation.
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
In a 2- to 3-page paper create an interview transcript of your responses to the following interview questions:
- Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?
- Who is your target population?
- What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?
- What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?
- What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?
- Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?
Expert Answer and Explanation
Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation
The program entails the reduction of waiting times in an emergency nursing unit through the implementation of different processes and technologies. For nearly a decade, there has been regular complaints by patients who visit the ED about too much waiting times (Milstead & Short, 2019). Some of them always regret the choice of the facility, and swear that they will never go back there after they felt better.
Target Population
The main population affected by the program are the nurses in the ED departments. In the program, different software will be used by the triage nurse to assess the need for immediate treatment of the patient and this will help in the creation of more order in the department. Also, nurses will be using the program to reduce the time taken on one patient and hence reduce the situations that always occur of insufficient staffing.
Role of the Nurse in Providing Input for the Design of the Program
One of the primary roles of the nurse in providing input for the program design will be the guidance on some of the information that should be fed into the system. While computer systems and programs are always efficient tools in implementing support, the form in which they appear is determined by the input of the software during the formation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 2020).
Nurses will help in deducing the most crucial information, such as the vitals, that is necessary in evaluating the state of a patient immediately they present to the facility.
My Role as an Advocate to my Target Population
As an advocate, I will be sure to champion the interest of the nurses in the program. According to the American Nurses Association, ANA (2020), advocacy is one of the basic pillars of nursing, and it helps in efficiently determining the position of nurses in different care operations. For example, in the program, the nurse would perform advocacy role by preventing situations that would otherwise bring about nurse burnout. For this reason, as an advocate, I would have a lot of input in the design decisions of the program.
The Role of the Nurse in Healthcare Program Implementation
During implementation, the nurse would be one of the quality personnel in the program, as they would have the information about how best the program should be like. Just like in design, nurses use their expertise in determining the suitability of various process changes in the programs. For example, the nurse would be useful in the correction of a problem that arose when implementing the program in a setting that changed after the launch happened.
Members of a Healthcare Team who are most needed in Program Implementation
The project managers, who are mostly the organizational or departmental managers, are the members of the healthcare team who are most needed in program implementation. The role of these members is mainly monitoring the progress of the project, and ensuring that the project resources are managed efficiently (Ritchie et al., 2016; Smith et al., 2018). Specifically, they check whether or not every stakeholder is playing their role in project implementation, and act appropriately in doing the necessary corrections.
References
American Nurses Association, ANA, (2020). Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, (2020). Step by Step – Evaluating Violence and Injury Prevention Policies. Brief 4: Evaluating Policy Implementation https://www.cdc.gov/injury/pdfs/policy/Brief%204-a.pdf
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th Ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Ritchie, C., Andersen, R., Eng, J., Garrigues, S. K., Intinarelli, G., Kao, H., & Tunick, E. (2016). Implementation of an interdisciplinary, team-based complex care support health care model at an academic medical center: impact on health care utilization and quality of life. PloS one, 11(2), e0148096.
Smith, C. D., Balatbat, C., Corbridge, S., Dopp, A. L., Fried, J., Harter, R., & Sinsky, C. (2018). Implementing optimal team-based care to reduce clinician burnout. NAM Perspectives.
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FAQs
What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation
The role of a nurse in healthcare program implementation can vary depending on the specific program and setting, but some common responsibilities include:
Assessing the needs of patients: Nurses can help identify the needs of patients and their families by conducting assessments, gathering information on their health status, and determining their ability to participate in healthcare programs.
Educating patients and families: Nurses can provide education and support to patients and their families to help them understand healthcare programs and how they can participate in them effectively.
Implementing healthcare programs: Nurses can help implement healthcare programs by coordinating with other healthcare providers, scheduling appointments, and ensuring that patients have access to the resources and support they need.
Monitoring patient progress: Nurses can monitor patient progress by conducting follow-up visits and evaluating patient outcomes to ensure that the healthcare program is meeting its goals.
Providing feedback to program leaders: Nurses can provide feedback to program leaders on the effectiveness of healthcare programs, including identifying areas for improvement and suggesting modifications to the program as needed.
How can you facilitate innovation in the field of nursing?
Facilitating innovation in the field of nursing involves creating an environment that fosters creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Here are some ways to facilitate innovation in nursing:
Encourage a culture of innovation: Nursing leaders can encourage a culture of innovation by promoting risk-taking, experimentation, and continuous learning. Encourage nurses to share their ideas and collaborate on projects.
Provide opportunities for continuing education: Nursing professionals should be provided with opportunities for continuing education to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in nursing. This will allow them to identify areas where innovation is needed and contribute to the development of new practices and procedures.
Invest in technology: Investing in technology can help facilitate innovation in nursing. Innovative tools such as electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth, and other digital solutions can help nurses provide better care and improve patient outcomes.
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration: Collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, social workers, and physical therapists, can facilitate innovation in nursing. Cross-disciplinary teams can identify areas for improvement, brainstorm solutions, and implement innovative practices that improve patient outcomes.
Support nursing research: Supporting nursing research can help identify new best practices, improve patient care, and enhance the nursing profession as a whole. Encouraging nurses to participate in research and providing funding for research projects can help facilitate innovation in nursing.
Involving nurses in developing new technology
Involving nurses in the development of new technology is essential to ensure that the technology meets the needs of both the patients and the healthcare providers who use it. Here are some ways to involve nurses in the development of new technology:
Conduct Needs Assessments: Engage nurses in the early stages of the development process to conduct needs assessments and identify pain points in their workflows. This will help developers understand the specific requirements and priorities of nurses and design technology that fits their needs.
Use Nurse Advisory Committees: Create a nurse advisory committee to provide feedback on the design, functionality, and usability of new technology. This committee can provide valuable insight into how the technology will be used in practice and how it can be improved to better serve patient needs.
Conduct User Testing: Involve nurses in user testing to evaluate the technology and provide feedback on how it can be improved. This testing can help identify bugs and usability issues that may not be apparent to developers.
Offer Training and Support: Provide nurses with training and ongoing support to ensure that they can use the new technology effectively. This training should include both technical training and guidance on how the technology fits into their workflows.
Provide Incentives: Offer incentives to nurses who participate in the development process, such as continuing education credits, recognition, or compensation. This can help ensure that nurses are motivated to participate in the process and provide valuable feedback.
Nursing innovation examples
There are numerous examples of nursing innovation that have helped improve patient outcomes, streamline processes, and enhance the nursing profession. Here are some nursing innovation examples:
Electronic Health Records (EHRs): EHRs have revolutionized the way nurses document and access patient information. They allow for more efficient documentation, provide real-time access to patient information, and help reduce medical errors.
Telehealth: Telehealth has emerged as a way to provide virtual care to patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth can help reduce hospital readmissions, increase access to care, and improve patient outcomes.
Simulation Training: Simulation training provides a safe environment for nurses to practice their skills and improve their confidence. Simulation training can also help reduce errors and improve patient safety.
Bedside Barcode Scanning: Barcode scanning at the bedside can help reduce medication errors and improve patient safety. Nurses scan the medication barcode, patient wristband, and their own ID badge to ensure that the correct medication is being administered to the correct patient.
Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS): CDSS provide nurses with real-time, evidence-based guidance to help inform their clinical decision-making. CDSS can help reduce medical errors, improve patient outcomes, and increase efficiency.
Mobile Health (mHealth) Applications: mHealth applications, such as medication reminder apps and chronic disease management apps, can help patients manage their health outside of the hospital setting. These apps can help improve patient engagement, increase medication adherence, and enhance patient outcomes.
