In This Assignment You Will Be Writing A 1000-1250 Wo 821239

In This Assignment You Will Be Writing A 1000 1250 Word Paper Descr

In this assignment, you will be writing a 1,000-1,250 word paper 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: bullying, unit closers and restructuring, floating, nurse turnover, nurse staffing ratios, use of contract employees (i.e., registry and travel nurses), or magnet designation. Describe the selected issue. Discuss how it impacts quality of care and patient safety in the setting in which it occurs. Discuss how professional standards of practice should be demonstrated in this situation to help rectify the issue or maintain professional conduct.

Explain the differing roles of nursing leaders and nursing managers in this instance and discuss the different approaches they take to address the selected issue and promote patient safety and quality care. Support your rationale by using the theories, principles, skills, and roles of the leader versus manager described in your readings. Discuss what additional aspects managers and leaders would need to initiate in order to ensure professionalism throughout diverse health care settings while addressing the selected issue. Describe a leadership style that would best address the chosen issue. Explain why this style could be successful in this setting.

Use at least three peer-reviewed journal articles other than those presented in your text or provided in the course. Prepare this assignment according to the 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.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In modern healthcare settings, effective leadership and management are critical to addressing complex issues that influence patient safety and quality of care. Among such issues, nurse staffing ratios often pose significant challenges due to their direct impact on patient outcomes, nurse satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness. This paper explores the approaches of nursing leaders and managers to nurse staffing ratios, emphasizing their roles, strategies, and leadership styles necessary for positive outcomes.

Description of the Issue

Nurse staffing ratios refer to the number of patients assigned to each nurse during a shift. Adequate staffing is essential to ensure timely, safe, and high-quality care; however, many healthcare institutions face shortages, leading to understaffing or mandated ratios that do not meet patient acuity levels (Aiken et al., 2014). Insufficient staffing can result in increased errors, delayed care, nurse burnout, and compromised patient safety. Conversely, excessive staffing can strain the organization financially, leading to increased costs and resource misallocation.

Impact on Quality of Care and Patient Safety

Inadequate staffing levels have been linked to higher rates of healthcare-associated infections, falls, medication errors, and patient dissatisfaction (Needleman et al., 2011). A study by Aiken et al. (2014) found that lower nurse-to-patient ratios significantly correlated with increased patient mortality rates and adverse events. These issues undermine the core principles of quality and safety, making staffing a critical concern for all healthcare providers.

Professional Standards of Practice

Registered nurses are expected to uphold standards of professional practice, which include advocating for safe staffing levels, maintaining competence, and ensuring ethical practice (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). Demonstrating professionalism involves communicating effectively, advocating for resources, and adhering to policies that promote patient safety. This professionalism can help rectify staffing-related issues by fostering a culture of safety and accountability.

Roles and Approaches of Nursing Leaders and Managers

Nursing leaders, often in executive or strategic positions, focus on shaping policies, establishing organizational values, and advocating for systemic changes. Leaders influence staffing policies through policy advocacy, community engagement, and research initiatives (Cummings et al., 2018). They often champion initiatives like Magnet Recognition, which emphasizes staffing standards and noble practice environments.

Managers, on the other hand, are involved in operational decisions, scheduling, and day-to-day management of nursing staff. They implement staffing plans, monitor staff performance, and address immediate staffing concerns (Udlis & Mancuso, 2017). Their approach involves practical problem-solving and resource allocation to ensure staffing adequacy during shifts.

Theories and Skills

Transformational leadership theory is frequently employed in nursing to inspire staff towards shared goals and safety excellence (McGowan & Zhang, 2018). Managers may employ situational leadership, adjusting their style based on staff needs and organizational circumstances (Hersey & Blanchard, 1988).

Additional Aspects for Ensuring Professionalism

Both leaders and managers must promote ongoing education, transparent communication, and policy advocacy. Developing a culture that prioritizes safety, resilience, and continuous improvement is essential, especially in diverse healthcare settings where challenges vary widely.

Leadership Style Appropriate for Addressing Staffing Issues

Transformational leadership is well-suited for tackling staffing issues because it encourages motivation, innovation, and a shared vision for safety. By inspiring staff to commit to staffing improvements and quality care, transformational leaders can foster engagement and resilience among nursing teams (Cummings et al., 2018).

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing nurse staffing ratios necessitates collaborative efforts between nursing leaders and managers, utilizing their unique roles and leadership styles to promote quality and safety. Implementing transformational leadership approaches alongside strategic policy initiatives can lead to sustainable improvements, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare professionals alike.

References

• Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Bruyneel, L., Van den Heede, K., & Sermeus, W. (2014). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. The Lancet, 383(9931), 1824–1830.
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
• Cummings, G. G., Tate, K., Lee, S., Wong, C. A., Paananen, T., Micaroni, S. P., ... & Estrada, P. (2018). Leadership styles and outcome patterns for effective leadership in health care organizations: A systematic review. BMC health services research, 18(1), 1-17.
• Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. H. (1988). Management of organizational behavior: Utilizing human resources. Prentice-Hall.
• McGowan, B., & Zhang, T. (2018). Transformational leadership and patient safety outcomes: A review of evidence. Journal of Nursing Management, 26(8), 897–904.
• Needleman, J., Buerhaus, P., Pankratz, S., Leibson, C. L., Stevens, S. R., & Harris, M. (2011). Nurse Staffing and Inpatient Hospital Mortality. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(11), 1037–1045.
• Udlis, K. A., & Mancuso, J. (2017). Exploring leadership roles in nursing practice: Managing staffing in healthcare. Journal of Nursing Administration, 47(2), 80–85.