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 behavior that a person adopts determines their risk of developing an illness because habits like habitual drinking of alcohol are associated with higher risk of disorders such as cancer of the throat. Similarly, the risk of lung cancer is significantly among habitual smokers. When it comes to the prevention of complications of tobacco smoking, the nurse role comes into play considering that they sensitize the public, creating awareness about the dangers of smoking (Devi et al., 2020).
Interviewer: Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and the projected outcomes of this program?
Interviewee: I have had the opportunity of working on a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) program which involved putting smokers on treatment regimen that included a nicotine lozenge to reduce the urge to smoke. The goal was to lower the number of cigarettes the target population smoked while managing the smokers’ withdrawal symptoms. This program also sought to prevent those who smoked from developing various forms of illnesses ranging from the pneumonia to the mouth cancer which are some of the conditions that are prevalent among smokers.
The adoption of this kind of program is associated with positive health outcomes such as fewer incidences of health issues that result because of smoking (Cartujano-Barrera et al., 2020). The U.S. requires $5,065 billion to manage tobacco use problem because $179 goes into treating one patient using the nicotine therapy. With a population of over 28 million smokers, the country stands a chance of saving on costs associated with smoking which caused the U.S. to lose $600 billion.
Interviewer: Who is your target population?
Interviewee: The program targets adult habitual smokers, male and female, who smoker more than five cigarettes a day. The target population is also drawn from various ethnic, cultural and racial backgrounds with focus on examining how they respond to the recommended therapy. This may shade light on whether one’s demographic background affects the NRT treatment outcomes (Cartujano-Barrera et al., 2020).
Interviewer: What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?
Interviewee: When it comes to designing the healthcare program, the nurse’s role becomes crucial because they provide meaningful input that supports the development of the design of the program. Given their experience, they may recommend ideas that can help support the design of a more effective program. If they noticed adverse health events that occurred while using the NRT, for instance, the nurse may share this information with those tasked with crafting the program (Bakker et al., 2023). For their part, the designers may design the program in a way that they account for the needs of those who may experience side effects.
Interviewer: 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?
Interviewee: My approach to advocating for patients involves bringing the health impact of the smoking to the attention of the political representatives so that they undertake the necessary measures to tackle the issue. For instance, they may respond by passing tougher laws that ban the promotion of the tobacco products (Hébert et al., 2021). In addition, I sensitize smokers and their families, informing them how they can access the NRT services. Although I am not involved in providing input decisions, I would improve the design by providing feedback that can enhance implementation of the future NRT programs.
Interviewer: 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?
Interviewee: When it comes to the implementation of the program, the nurse follows the plan, executing the tasks captured in the plan. They also note down the short term wins including the challenges they come across while implementing the program. This requires direct involvement of the nurse in which they make decisions (Ten Ham-Baloyi, 2022). With design, the nurse’s role is limited to sharing their views or ideas which the designer decides whether to incorporate into the design. In this case, it is up to the designer to decide if integrating the nurse’s view into the program design is the right idea.
Interviewer: Interviewer: Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are the most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?
Interviewee: Social workers are in a better position to implement the program given their expertise and experience of addressing issues pertaining to substance abuse and addiction. Social workers support patients who struggle with addiction, providing counseling services, and administering medications (Lo, Yeung, & Tam, 2020). This means that they are better suited to implement the NRT program while addressing patients’ needs such as side effects through psychotherapy.
Conclusion
In summation, the nurse’s role in the design of the health-improvement program takes various forms including providing feedback that informs the crafting of the program. The nurse also collects relevant data during program implementation, identifying the patient’s response to treatment with focus on the demographic background.
References
Bakker, C. J., Wyatt, T. H., Breth, M. C., Gao, G., Janeway, L. M., Lee, M. A., Martin, C. L., & Tiase, V. L. (2023). Nurses’ Roles in mHealth App Development: Scoping Review. JMIR nursing, 6, e46058. https://doi.org/10.2196/46058.
Cartujano-Barrera, F., Rodríguez-Bolaños, R., Arana-Chicas, E., Gallegos-Carrillo, K., N Flores, Y., Pérez-Rubio, G., Falfán-Valencia, R., F Ellerbeck, E., Reynales-Shigematsu, L. M., & Cupertino, A. P. (2020). Enhancing nicotine replacement therapy usage and adherence through a mobile intervention: Secondary data analysis of a single-arm feasibility study in Mexico. Tobacco induced diseases, 18, 36. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/120076.
Devi, R. E., Barman, D., Sinha, S., Hazarika, S. J., & Das, S. (2020). Nicotine replacement therapy: A friend or foe. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 9(6), 2615–2620. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_313_20.
Hébert, E. T., Bhushan, T., Ra, C. K., Frank-Pearce, S., Alexander, A. C., Cole, A. B., Kendzor, D. E., & Businelle, M. S. (2021). Daily use of nicotine replacement medications is related to daily smoking status: An ecological momentary assessment study. Drug and alcohol dependence, 229(Pt A), 109161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109161.
Lo, T. W., Yeung, J. W. K., & Tam, C. H. L. (2020). Substance Abuse and Public Health: A Multilevel Perspective and Multiple Responses. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(7), 2610. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072610.
Ten Ham-Baloyi W. (2022). Nurses’ roles in changing practice through implementing best practices: A systematic review. Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 27, 1776. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1776.
Alternative Sample Answer
Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation
About the Healthcare Program
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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Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Program Design and Implementation: A Comprehensive Guide to Collaborative Advocacy
Introduction
Healthcare transformation requires skilled nursing leadership and collaborative advocacy to design and implement effective programs that improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. This comprehensive guide explores how nurses can practice transformational leadership by advocating for healthcare programs while establishing collaborative roles in program design and implementation.
Understanding Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Program Design
The Evolution of Nursing Leadership
Trends in recent years have emphasized the importance of nursing leadership in China and globally. In 2020, the World Health Organization released State of the world’s nursing 2020: investing in education, jobs and leadership, specifically proposing that nursing leadership should be strengthened to enable nurses to become current and future leaders in healthcare.
Modern nursing leadership extends beyond traditional bedside care to encompass strategic program development, policy advocacy, and collaborative healthcare delivery. Creating a future in which opportunities to optimize health are more equitable will require disrupting the deeply entrenched prevailing paradigms of health care, which in turn will require enlightened, diverse, courageous, and competent leadership.
Key Components of Nursing Leadership in Program Design
- Evidence-Based Decision Making
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Patient-Centered Approach
- Continuous Quality Improvement
- Policy Advocacy and Implementation
The Collaborative Role of Nurses in Healthcare Program Implementation
Framework for Collaborative Nursing Leadership
| Leadership Dimension | Description | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Expertise | Leveraging frontline experience | Patient assessment, care coordination, quality monitoring |
| Interprofessional Collaboration | Working with healthcare teams | Physician partnerships, administrative alignment, support staff coordination |
| Advocacy and Policy | Influencing healthcare policy | Policy development, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance |
| Program Management | Overseeing implementation | Resource allocation, timeline management, outcome measurement |
The Nurse’s Unique Position in Healthcare Programs
Although the public is not used to viewing nurses as leaders, and not all nurses begin their career with thoughts of becoming a leader, all nurses must be leaders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of, as well as advocacy for, the ongoing reforms to the system that will be needed.
Nurses possess a distinctive advantage in healthcare program design due to their:
- Direct patient interaction experience
- Understanding of workflow processes
- Knowledge of quality and safety standards
- Insight into resource utilization
- Perspective on interprofessional dynamics
Advocating for Healthcare Programs: Strategic Approaches
Building Effective Advocacy Strategies
Policy advocacy is a fundamental component of nursing’s social mandate. While it has become a core function of nursing organizations across the globe, the discourse around advocacy has focused largely on the responsibilities and accountabilities of individual nurses and organizations.
Core Advocacy Competencies for Nurses
- Communication Skills
- Articulating program benefits to stakeholders
- Presenting evidence-based arguments
- Facilitating interprofessional discussions
- Political Awareness
- Understanding healthcare policy landscape
- Identifying key decision makers
- Navigating organizational hierarchies
- Data Analysis and Presentation
- Interpreting clinical outcomes
- Demonstrating cost-effectiveness
- Measuring program impact
Advocacy in Action: Real-World Applications
In conclusion, enhancing nursing education and training in policy advocacy is crucial to empower nurses to become effective advocates for policy change. By incorporating policy and advocacy skills into nursing curricula, providing real-world experiences, integrating technology, and supporting continued professional development, nurses can effectively navigate the complexities of policy processes and drive meaningful improvements in healthcare.
Healthcare Program Design: Evidence-Based Approaches
Current Trends in Healthcare Program Development (2024-2025)
| Trend | Impact on Nursing Leadership | Implementation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Health Integration | Requires technology competency | Partner with IT teams, develop digital literacy |
| Value-Based Care Models | Focus on outcome measurement | Implement quality metrics, cost-effectiveness analysis |
| Health Equity Initiatives | Address social determinants | Develop culturally competent programs, community partnerships |
| Interdisciplinary Collaboration | Enhanced team-based care | Foster collaborative relationships, shared decision-making |
Program Design Methodology
Phase 1: Assessment and Planning
- Needs Assessment: Conduct comprehensive stakeholder analysis
- Evidence Review: Analyze best practices and current research
- Resource Evaluation: Assess available resources and constraints
- Stakeholder Mapping: Identify key partners and decision makers
Phase 2: Design Development
- Program Framework: Develop comprehensive program structure
- Outcome Metrics: Establish measurable goals and KPIs
- Implementation Timeline: Create detailed project schedule
- Risk Assessment: Identify potential challenges and mitigation strategies
Phase 3: Implementation and Evaluation
- Pilot Testing: Conduct small-scale implementation
- Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain ongoing communication
- Continuous Monitoring: Track progress and adjust strategies
- Outcome Evaluation: Measure program effectiveness
Collaborative Implementation Strategies
Building Effective Healthcare Teams
Understanding how nurse leaders use evidence in their own managerial decision making is still limited. This mixed methods systematic review aimed to examine how evidence is used to solve leadership problems and to describe the measured and perceived effects of evidence-based leadership on nurse leaders and their performance, organizational, and clinical outcomes.
Key Collaboration Principles
- Shared Governance Model
- Distributed decision-making authority
- Collaborative policy development
- Shared accountability for outcomes
- Interprofessional Education
- Joint training programs
- Collaborative competency development
- Shared learning experiences
- Communication Frameworks
- Standardized communication protocols
- Regular team meetings
- Structured feedback mechanisms
Overcoming Implementation Challenges
| Challenge | Nursing Leadership Solution | Collaborative Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance to Change | Change management strategies | Stakeholder engagement, education |
| Resource Constraints | Efficient resource allocation | Partnership development, grant writing |
| Communication Barriers | Standardized protocols | Regular meetings, clear documentation |
| Competing Priorities | Strategic alignment | Shared goal setting, priority matrix |
Measuring Program Success: Outcomes and Metrics
Key Performance Indicators for Healthcare Programs
Clinical Outcomes
- Patient Safety Metrics: Infection rates, medication errors, patient falls
- Quality Indicators: Patient satisfaction scores, readmission rates, length of stay
- Care Coordination: Discharge planning effectiveness, continuity of care
Organizational Outcomes
- Staff Satisfaction: Employee engagement, retention rates, job satisfaction
- Efficiency Metrics: Cost per patient, resource utilization, workflow optimization
- Innovation Measures: Process improvements, technology adoption, best practice implementation
System-Level Impact
- Population Health: Community health indicators, preventive care utilization
- Healthcare Access: Service availability, geographic coverage, demographic reach
- Policy Influence: Regulatory changes, practice standard updates, professional recognition
Data Collection and Analysis Framework
| Metric Category | Collection Method | Frequency | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Outcomes | Electronic health records, patient surveys | Monthly | Clinical teams |
| Financial Performance | Cost accounting, budget analysis | Quarterly | Finance department |
| Staff Engagement | Surveys, focus groups, interviews | Bi-annually | Human resources |
| Patient Experience | Satisfaction surveys, feedback systems | Continuous | Quality department |
Professional Development for Nursing Leaders
Essential Leadership Competencies
The Nursing Professional Development (NPD): Scope and Standards of Practice outlines 7 key roles for NPD practitioners—learning facilitator, change agent, mentor, leader, champion for scientific inquiry, advocate for the NPD specialty, and partner in practice transitions.
Core Leadership Skills
- Strategic Thinking: Long-term planning, vision development, goal setting
- Emotional Intelligence: Self-awareness, empathy, relationship management
- Communication: Public speaking, written communication, active listening
- Decision Making: Critical thinking, problem-solving, risk assessment
- Team Building: Collaboration, conflict resolution, motivation
Educational Pathways and Certification
Advanced Degree Programs
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Healthcare Leadership, Nursing Administration
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Executive Leadership, Healthcare Systems
- Master of Health Administration (MHA): Healthcare Management, Policy
Professional Certifications
- Certified Nurse Executive (CNE): American Organization for Nursing Leadership
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP): American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Fellow of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (FAONL): Advanced Leadership Recognition
Future Trends and Opportunities
Emerging Opportunities in Healthcare Leadership
Technology Integration
- Artificial Intelligence: Predictive analytics, clinical decision support
- Telehealth: Remote monitoring, virtual consultations
- Electronic Health Records: Interoperability, data analytics
Policy and Advocacy
- Healthcare Reform: Payment model changes, quality initiatives
- Professional Practice: Scope of practice expansion, autonomous practice
- Public Health: Emergency preparedness, population health management
Preparing for Future Leadership Roles
Over the coming decade, the nursing profession will continue to be shaped by the pressing health, social, and ethical challenges facing the nation today. Having illuminated many of the health and social inequities affecting communities across the nation, the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other health crises, such as the opioid epidemic, presents an opportunity for nurses to lead transformational change.
Conclusion
Nursing leadership in healthcare program design and implementation represents a critical pathway to improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. By embracing collaborative approaches, advocating for evidence-based programs, and developing essential leadership competencies, nurses can drive meaningful change in healthcare systems.
The successful implementation of healthcare programs requires a commitment to continuous learning, stakeholder engagement, and outcome measurement. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, nursing leaders must remain adaptable, innovative, and focused on the ultimate goal of improving patient care and population health.
Through strategic advocacy, collaborative partnerships, and evidence-based practice, nurses can fulfill their potential as transformational leaders in healthcare program design and implementation, ultimately contributing to a more effective, equitable, and sustainable healthcare system.
References
- World Health Organization. (2020). State of the world’s nursing 2020: investing in education, jobs and leadership. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003279
- Institute of Medicine. (2001). Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. National Academy Press.
- National Academy of Medicine. (2021). The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. The National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573918/
- American Nurses Association. (2023). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (4th ed.). American Nurses Association.
- Nursing Professional Development: Scope and Standards of Practice. (2016). Association for Nursing Professional Development.
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. (2016). MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership. https://nursing.jhu.edu/programs/masters/healthcare-organizational-leadership/
- Duke University School of Nursing. Nursing and Health Care Leadership. https://nursing.duke.edu/academic-programs/msn-master-science-nursing/nursing-and-healthcare-leadership
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2024). Nurse Executive Competencies. https://www.aonl.org/
- Foundation for Nurses in Education. (2024). Empowering U.S. Nurses for Policy Advocacy and Change. https://www.ffne.org/empowering-u-s-nurses-for-policy-advocacy-and-change.html
- American Nurses Association. (2020). Legislative and Political Advocacy for Nurses. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
