Response one: I am an Assistant Director of Nursing at my job, I started in March 2019. Before I started this position I heard so much negative things about this place in regards to the staff being hard to work with, well this is true. Most of the staff has worked a long time of this company and refuse to accept the change in healthcare. I am a positive person, at least at work, I believe good morning and smile can make someone’s day, and no matter what position one holds, no one is better than anyone, everyone’s job is important. I speak to people with respect and is always available to help. If nurses feel comfortable in their jobs and know that management is with them, they will work hard for the company which in turn will improve patient care. By me showing kindness to my staff, understanding them, being there to help will encourage them to give the best performance at work to get the best outcome for patients and their families.

All necessary resources required to carry out patient care is managed by communication between the participants among the different aspects of care. The central goal is to meet the patients’ needs with the delivery of safe, quality care. Those involved in care coordination are the patients and their families, health care professionals, system representatives, and healthcare entities. (Trends in Healthcare: A Nursing Perspective). As a leader, this is the simplest and easiest task I do daily, showing my staff the kindness and respect they deserve, thanking them for what they do and acknowledge how sometimes it is a hard and difficult job, that is one of my advocacy strategy and it works. ( most of the time).

Reference

Trends in Healthcare: A Nursing Perspective. Retrieved from,

https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs440vn/trends-in-health-care-a-nursing-perspective/v1.1/#/chapter/4

Response two: By me showing kindness to my staff, understanding them, being there to help will encourage them to give the best performance at work to get the best outcome for patients and their families.”

Do you feel this method is assiting you in dealing with the difficult staff that you mentioned? Are they starting to ‘wamr up’ to your ways and becoming an easier staff to manage. I would imagine if much of the staff has worked in yor facility for many years, they have seen many DON’s and ADON”s come and go. They are set it their ways and resistant to change. Besides showing kindess and an encourageing word, what kind of things are you doing to foster team work and improved patient/resident care?

In our readings this week it talked about the 5 practices of exemplorary leaders: 1)model the way, 2) inspire a shared vision, 3)challenge the process, 4) enable others to act, and 5) encourage the heart (Whitney, 2018).

From what you describe in your post you are modeling the way (clarify values and set the example) and encouraging the heart (recognize contributions and celebrate values and victories). Honestly, I think these are two of the most important things to gain trust and respect from your staff. Good for you! I a sure you are still developing in your role as an ADON as you mentioned this is a new role for you from March of this year. Do you think you are utilizing any of the other practices of exemplorary leaders listed from our readings? If so, can you give an example?

Reference:

Whitney, S. (2018). Every Nurse is a Leader. In S. Whitney, Trends and Issues in Health Care: A Nursing Perspective. Grand Canyon University. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs440vn/trends-in-health-…

Response three: All members involved in patient care should practice skills in advocacy. This is an act of supporting or bringing recognition to a concern. In this case, it typically involves a patient who may require additional care or interventions that are not being properly recognized or addressed. There are many different strategies involved with advocacy. To be successful, having the most knowledge about a situation is the most efficient way to bring about change or start discussion (New Brunswick Association, 2019). After becoming informed on the situation, it is best to identify ways that this situation can be improved, then discuss this with those who have the power to initiate a change.

To create positive change in the work environment we must all be active listeners. Recently my unit has started to have staff meetings to discuss changes and new concerns. Recently our biggest concern is staffing and how this impacts the care provided to the patients. Our other concerns are the rate of discharges and admissions and how this leaves staff members unable to take care of patients already on the floor when they are slammed with new admissions. In order to advocate and create change we must work together to create a game plan and assess the level of effectiveness after a set period of time. A leader must take these concerns and ideas and put them into action or clarify an alternative plan.

New Brunswick Association for Community Living. (2019). Tips for Being an Effective Advocate. Retrieved from https://nbacl.nb.ca/module-pages/tips-for-being-an-effective-advocate/.