Topic:  Staffing needs and Scheduling policies

• Title page (APA format) (3-4 pages, not including Titles and References)
• Book: Leadership roles and management Functions in Nursing, Eleventh Edition, by Carol J. Huston

 

Original Work, No Plagiarism, Cite and Reference

Hugo is a graduate student working on a research study that is seeking to explore the efficacy of a new medicine for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  As part of his duties, he is asked to make himself available during participant recruitment to clarify any questions that the recruitment personnel or the participants may have. On one of these occasions, a research nurse named Phoebe is obtaining informed consent from a young adult named Simon. 

The informed consent form includes information on the purpose of the study, a double-blinded, randomized intervention trial to test the efficacy of a medicine for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  The form explains the risks and benefits of participation at length, including the anticipated side effects of the new medicine. 

The benefits are thought to outweigh the risks.  The participants in the treatment arm of the study may benefit from the medicine's hypothesized prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Participants in both groups will receive close monitoring of neuropathy symptoms and evidence-based care while being in the study. Finally, the form explains that the information collected may help to lead to the discovery of an agent that may reduce chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, of which there are currently no none effective preventative treatments. 

As Phoebe is reviewing the informed consent form, Simon appears somewhat uncomfortable and apprehensive. Hugo thinks that his response may be related to the surroundings and/or situation. They are sitting in the exam room shortly after Simon learned of the treatment options for advanced stage colorectal cancer and the doctor left without answering all of his questions. Simon also has additional oncology appointments shortly after the consent discussion. 

Hugo is also struck by Simon's interaction with Phoebe. He nods and his occasional brief responses sound more like someone receiving a set of instructions than an indication of understanding.

During the time it takes to complete the informed consent form, which is quite lengthy, Hugo begins to wonder whether Simon truly understands the research study and his part in it.  Hugo also questions whether Simon understands what randomization is and how this technique will affect him as a research participant. Hugo is distracted from his thoughts by movement from across the room. Simon is ready to place his signature on the informed consent form. He seems to be eager to do so. The form states that study subjects have the right to refuse to participate and that they may withdraw at any time, but Hugo begins to question whether Simon truly has a choice in giving his consent. Do the benefits from this study, overwhelm any concerns he may feel regarding being in the study?

Hugo is unsure how to address his discomfort with the informed consent process that he has just witnessed and he begins to deliberate about what course of action he should take to address his concerns.

Discussion Questions:

1. How could the informed consent form or the process of obtaining informed consent be modified to address Hugo's concerns?

2. What types of questions or techniques could have Phoebe provided to assess Simon's understanding of the study?

3. How would you describe “randomization” to a prospective study participant?

4. How would you respond to a participant who says “can we skip the rest of this and sign the form” during the informed consent discussion?

 

Identify the stakeholder’s role/position in your organization.

Introduction

The implementation and success of a strategic plan depends on the support of key stakeholders. This in turn depends on your ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with decision makers and to sell your vision of the future. You must also be able to lead the initiative and sustain strategic direction. This assessment provides you with an opportunity to showcase your strategic thinking and exercise the communication skills necessary to move your strategic plan forward toward implementation.

Note: In this assessment, you will develop a presentation to stakeholders for the strategic plan you developed in Assessment 2.

Preparation

Your strategic plan has been reviewed, and you have been asked to present your plan—including operational recommendations and strategic control mechanisms—at a strategic visioning session with key stakeholders (senior leaders if your plan is organization-wide, community leaders if your plan is for a community health project, or the nurse manager of a specific department or team). This session is the next step in moving your plan toward implementation.

Your deliverable for this assessment is a slide deck of 10-20 slides to supplement your presentation and facilitate discussion of your plan. You may use Microsoft PowerPoint or any other suitable presentation software. Please use the notes section of each slide to develop your talking points and reference your sources, as appropriate.

As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.

Reflect on the current cultural climate in your care setting.

• What aspects of the current cultural climate would aid in achieving one or more specific goals contained in your strategic plan?
• What aspects of the current cultural climate would present a challenge in achieving one or more specific goals contained in your strategic plan?
• What leadership theories, models, or strategies could help you turn this challenge into an opportunity?

Effectively communicating with internal and external stakeholders and constituencies can help in achieving strategic initiatives.

• How would you communicate the essential aspects of the strategic plan you developed in Assessment 2 to stakeholders or groups, both internal and external to your care setting?

 

Presentation

• Summarize your plan for achieving 2-3 main goals. Include corresponding metrics, targets, and initiatives to help achieve the desired quality or safety improvements in the care setting.

Note: It may be useful to think about what you hoped to achieve in addressing your care setting’s positive core or specific area of concern in Assessment 1. For example:

• Progress toward achieving the Triple Aim.
• Better patient safety outcomes.
• Lower readmission rates.
• Higher volume of patients and care.
• Increased financial gain.
• Minimizing staff burnout.
• Improved relationship and trust with the community or a specific population.

In addition, remember to consult the literature, research studies, and resources from professional and governmental organizations when developing metrics, targets, and initiatives.

• Explain how you will communicate your plan to those stakeholders and constituencies who are essential to implementing your plan and sustaining strategic direction.
  • Identify the key individuals or groups with whom you must communicate.
  • Identify the cultural or ethical factors, if any, that are relevant to the design of your communication plan, including how key individuals or groups typically prefer to be contacted.
• Describe the actions you will take to align your care setting’s structure, systems, shared values, management style, staff, and skills with your strategic goals.
  • Describe the changes that are needed to achieve your goals.
  • Describe the goals and processes for on-boarding relevant individuals or groups.
• Explain how you will evaluate the success of your strategic plan.
  • Define successful implementation.
  • Describe the successful outcomes for this project.
  • Explain how you will compare outcomes to current performance benchmarks.
  • Explain how you will collect data to evaluate whether you have achieved specific goals and outcomes.
  • Identify your priorities, assuming you cannot accomplish everything.
• Explain how relevant cultural, ethical, and regulatory considerations influenced the design of your strategic plan and strategies for its implementation.
• Explain your role, as a nurse leader, in successfully implementing your proposed plan and sustaining strategic direction.
  • Explain how leadership and health care theories support your role.
• Explain why your leadership qualities and skills will enable you to successfully implement your plan and sustain strategic direction.
  • Explain why you should be the one to lead this initiative.
  • Explain how you have demonstrated some or all of these qualities in past work.