In This Assignment You Will Be Writing A 1000 Word Paper

In This Assignment You Will Be Writing A 1000 Word Paper Describing

In this assignment, you will be writing a 1,000 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

The divergent roles of nursing leaders and managers in addressing complex issues within clinical settings play a pivotal role in ensuring quality care and patient safety. This paper explores these differences through the lens of a pertinent issue—nurse staffing ratios—highlighting how leadership and management approaches are employed to mitigate challenges and uphold professional standards.

Issue Description and Impact on Care

Nurse staffing ratios refer to the number of registered nurses assigned to care for patients within a specific shift or unit. Over the years, inadequate staffing has become a pressing concern, directly influencing patient safety and quality of care. For instance, when nurse-to-patient ratios are too high, nurses experience increased workload, leading to fatigue, oversights, and compromised patient monitoring. Consequently, adverse events such as medication errors, hospital-acquired infections, and falls tend to rise, eroding trust in healthcare delivery (Halter et al., 2019). Managing staffing ratios, therefore, is vital in fostering a safe environment and delivering effective, patient-centered care.

Professional Standards of Practice

Professional standards of nursing practice, such as those outlined by the American Nurses Association (ANA), emphasize advocacy for safe staffing, accountability, and ethical conduct. Upholding these standards necessitates continuous assessment of staffing adequacy, transparent communication, and adherence to evidence-based policies. When staffing issues arise, nurses and leaders must collaborate to advocate for appropriate ratios, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical norms while safeguarding patient welfare.

Roles of Nursing Leaders and Managers

Nursing leaders and managers, though interconnected, serve distinct functions. Leaders focus on vision, strategic advocacy, and inspiring change (Cummings et al., 2018). They cultivate a professional culture that prioritizes safety and encourages innovation. Conversely, managers concentrate on operational aspects—scheduling, resource allocation, and policy enforcement (Ellis & Hartley, 2018). In addressing staffing ratios, leaders might advocate for policy reforms and foster a culture of safety, while managers implement staffing schedules aligned with organizational policies and resource constraints.

For example, a nurse leader may initiate dialogues with hospital administration advocating for staffing reforms based on patient safety data. Meanwhile, nursing managers adjust staffing schedules and monitor staffing levels daily to ensure compliance with standards and immediate safety concerns. Both roles are instrumental; leadership sets the vision, and management executes operational changes to realize that vision.

Theories, Skills, and Roles

Transformational leadership theory, emphasizing inspiration and motivation, aligns with efforts to address staffing shortages by fostering shared goals and commitment (Bass & Riggio, 2006). Leaders employing transformational approaches inspire staff to prioritize safety and advocate for necessary changes. Management skills such as planning, organization, and problem-solving are crucial for implementing staffing adjustments. The synergy of these roles ensures a comprehensive approach to overcoming staffing challenges.

Additional Aspects for Professionalism

To deepen professionalism in addressing staffing issues, managers and leaders must foster open communication, continuous education, and collaborative decision-making. Implementing strategies like staff development programs, participative management, and transparent reporting can build a culture of professionalism that adapts to diverse healthcare settings.

Optimal Leadership Style

Transformational leadership emerges as the most effective style for tackling staffing ratios. This approach promotes motivation, aligns team efforts with organizational goals, and encourages innovation, essential for overcoming resource limitations and advocating for patient safety (Northouse, 2018). By inspiring staff and engaging stakeholders, transformational leaders can effect meaningful change that sustains high standards of care.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing nurse staffing ratios requires a multifaceted approach rooted in the distinct yet complementary roles of nursing leaders and managers. Effective collaboration, guided by appropriate leadership styles such as transformational leadership and grounded in professional standards, can significantly improve patient safety and quality of care across healthcare settings. Building a culture that values professionalism, open communication, and continuous improvement is paramount in overcoming staffing challenges and fostering excellence in nursing practice.

References

• Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational leadership. Psychology Press.
• Cummings, G. G., Tate, K., Lee, S., Wong, C. A., Paananen, T., & Micaroni, S. P. (2018). Leadership styles and outcome patterns for the nursing workforce and work environment: A systematic review. , 85, 19-60.
• Ellis, P., & Hartley, J. (2018). Reflective practice for health professionals. Learning Matters.
• Halter, M., Ritchie, J., & Demarco, R. (2019). Impact of nurse staffing on patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(1), 26-31.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice. ANA Publishing.
• Staggs, V., & Dunton, N. (2018). Outcomes of nurse staffing and work environment. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 33(4), 310-317.
• Shirey, M. R. (2019). Leadership in nursing: Perspectives for a new era. Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(3), 137-139.
• Friese, C. R., Lake, E. T., Aiken, L. H., Silber, J. H., & Kutney-Lee, A. (2019). Hospital nursings’ influence on patient safety and quality of care. Medical Care Research and Review, 76(4), 456-473.
• Lehmann, K., Vanhaecht, K., & Sermeus, W. (2020). Interprofessional collaboration and nurse staffing. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 107, 103477.