Describe an example when a leader or manager managed a challenge related to decision making, staffing, conflict or discrimination. Describe the factors that contributed to a positive or negative outcome. Support your discussion and opinions with facts, relevant examples from personal nursing practice, and at least two citations from the reading or peer-reviewed professional nursing literature. See the Nursing Syllabus Standards & Policies Document for Discussion Participation Guidelines & Grading Criteria.
Title: Leadership Strategies in Managing Decision-Making Challenges in Nursing
Introduction:
In the healthcare field, leaders and managers often encounter various challenges in decision making, staffing, conflict resolution, and discrimination. This paper aims to discuss an example of a leader or manager who effectively managed a challenge related to decision making, staffing, conflict, or discrimination. The factors that contributed to a positive or negative outcome will be explored, along with relevant examples from personal nursing practice and citations from peer-reviewed professional nursing literature.
Example of a Decision-Making Challenge:
One example of a decision-making challenge in nursing leadership is implementing electronic health records (EHRs) in a healthcare organization. EHRs have become integral to healthcare delivery due to the potential benefits they offer, such as improved patient safety, communication, and efficiency (Sahin & Ferre, 2020). Despite these advantages, the implementation process can present significant challenges.
A leader or manager responsible for implementing EHRs faces various decision-making challenges, such as selecting the most suitable EHR system, ensuring staff training, and managing resistance to change. This example highlights the importance of effective leadership in overcoming challenges associated with decision-making and change management.
Factors Contributing to Positive Outcome:
Several factors can contribute to a positive outcome in managing the decision-making challenges associated with EHR implementation. First, the leader’s ability to involve key stakeholders, including healthcare providers, IT personnel, and administrators, is crucial. In a study by Sahin and Ferre (2020), it was found that involving frontline staff in the decision-making process positively influenced their acceptance and adoption of EHRs.
Open and transparent communication is another key factor in achieving positive outcomes. Leaders who effectively communicate goals, benefits, and potential challenges associated with EHR implementation create an environment where staff members are more likely to embrace the change (Pope et al., 2017). Transparent communication also helps address concerns and reduces resistance.
Moreover, effective leaders allocate adequate time and resources for training and support during the EHR implementation process. By providing comprehensive training programs and ongoing support, leaders enable staff members to develop the necessary skills and confidence in utilizing the new systems (Sahin & Ferre, 2020). Training programs should be tailored to the specific needs of different healthcare professionals, taking into consideration their level of comfort with technology and individual learning styles.
Furthermore, a positive outcome is more likely when leaders foster a culture of innovation, learning, and adaptability. Leaders who create an environment that encourages continuous improvement and embraces technological advancements can garner staff support and enthusiasm for EHR implementation (Englebright et al., 2018). This culture promotes a sense of ownership among staff members and their active participation in decision-making processes.
Personal Nursing Practice Example:
In my personal nursing practice, I witnessed a positive outcome in managing the decision-making challenge of implementing a new nursing documentation system. The leader involved key stakeholders, including nurses from different units, nurse educators, and IT specialists, to ensure their perspectives and concerns were considered during the decision-making process. The leader provided transparent communication by holding regular meetings and open forums to address questions and concerns. The implementation team organized training sessions focused on different aspects of the documentation system, ensuring all staff members had access to comprehensive training resources. The leader also promoted a culture of innovation, encouraging suggestions for improvements and incorporating staff ideas into the system design. As a result, the implementation process was smooth, and nurses embraced the new documentation system, experiencing improved efficiency and ease of use.
Peer-Reviewed Professional Nursing Literature:
The literature supports the importance of leadership strategies in managing decision-making challenges. Pope et al. (2017) conducted a study exploring the impact of leadership styles on healthcare professionals’ acceptance of change associated with EHR implementation. The results demonstrated that leaders who adopted a transformational leadership style, characterized by open communication, consideration of staff perspectives, and fostering a supportive environment, achieved higher acceptance rates among healthcare professionals. This study emphasizes the significance of leadership behaviors in managing decision-making challenges effectively.
Englebright et al. (2018) examined successful strategies for implementing electronic documentation systems in healthcare organizations. The study identified leadership support, stakeholder engagement, and effective change management as key factors contributing to successful implementation. These findings highlight the importance of leadership in managing decision-making challenges to achieve positive outcomes.
Conclusion:
A leader or manager’s ability to effectively manage decision-making challenges in nursing is crucial for achieving positive outcomes. Factors such as involving key stakeholders, open communication, comprehensive training programs, and fostering a culture of innovation contribute towards successful decision-making processes. Personal nursing practice examples and relevant citations from peer-reviewed professional nursing literature provide evidence and support for the importance of leadership strategies in managing decision-making challenges in healthcare settings.