Outcome 1
When thinking back to the learning experiences that I have gained through the BSN courses regarding leadership concepts, skills, and decision making in order to provide oversight and accountability for the delivery of safe, quality care in a variety of settings, there are too many things that come to mind. I believe that all of the courses in the BSN program have helped me to achieve this outcome and have helped to mold me into a professional nurse. For this outcome, I would like to focus on the Nursing Leadership and Management course.
The Nursing Leadership and Management course specifically taught me how to be a leader, how to use my critical thinking skills to make decisions, and most importantly, how to properly delegate. There was an assignment that we had to complete in this course that involved reading chapter 8 in our Essentials of nursing leadership and management text on delegation. It explained the definition and listed examples of good and bad ways to delegate. We then had to write a paper reflecting on ways that we have witnessed good and bad forms of delegation. Nurses are faced with decision making and delegation on a daily basis. I feel that I have become a better nurse by knowing how to properly delegate tasks in order to give safe and quality care.
Through taking the Nursing Leadership and Management course, I also learned how to make positive changes in my work environment. I learned about the FOCUS methodology described in chapter 13 of the Essentials of nursing leadership and management text. We had to use this as a guide at our current work place to improve a process. This has helped to strengthen my leadership skills by allowing me to be more aware of processes at my workplace that could be improved upon and taking the initiative to make my work environment a more positive place. I plan to use the valuable knowledge that I have learned through this course in my future nursing practice by acting as a team leader, using my critical thinking skills on a daily basis, and properly delegating tasks in order to deliver safe, quality care.
Chapter 8 Assignment
Chapter eight teaches us about delegation of patient care. As quoted in our text, delegation is defined as the “transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another while retaining accountability for the outcome” (2010, p.189).
During my few short years working as a nurse, I have had the opportunity to delegate countless tasks to the CNA’s and LPN’s. An example of bad delegation that immediately comes to mind was my first day working on the floor as a nurse by myself. The rehab facility that I work for had just downsized the number of staff. There were two nurses scheduled to work; they decided that one nurse would pass all of the medications to the twenty patients on the floor while the other nurse did all of the treatments, assessments, and called the doctors with any issues. I had been working as a CNA at this facility prior to getting my nursing degree and I had told myself that I would be a nurse that was helpful to the aides. I was assigned to do the med pass that morning and as I was making my way around to the patients I started picking up trays, getting water and other supplies for the patients, rechecking vital signs, etc. to help the aides out. Needless to say, ten o’clock rolled around and I had only given morning medications to half of the patients on the floor. The other nurse that I was working with pulled me aside and talked to me about the importance of delegating things that the aides can do to allow myself time to do what I needed to get done. I learned a very valuable lesson that day.
An example of good delegation that comes to mind is working at this same rehab facility. A patient needed assistance to shower, get dressed, have the linens changed on her bed, and wanted to go for a walk in the hall as soon as possible. I delegated these tasks to one of the aides assigned to this hall. They promptly followed through with every task that was delegated. The patient was happy with the care that she had been given. Although this sort of thing happens on a daily basis, it is easy for this type of delegation to turn bad if the aide does not follow through with the tasks and the nurse does not follow up to ensure the tasks were completed.
I have learned a great deal through experience alone about proper ways to delegate. However, after reading chapter eight, I have been able to build upon the knowledge that I previously had. It is important to properly assess each situation and delegate accordingly. I need to make sure that the CNA’s and LPN’s know how to do the task that I ask them to complete and I need to be willing to educate and demonstrate to them if they are unsure. Finally, it is most important to follow up with tasks delegated. Ultimately, the RN is responsible for the tasks assigned. By using proper delegation skills, the best possible outcome can be achieved.
References
Kelley, P. (2010). Essentials of nursing leadership and management (2nd ed). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.
Chapter 13 Assignment
For this assignment, I would like to discuss a process at my workplace that I feel could be improved upon. I will use the FOCUS methodology mentioned in chapter thirteen of our text.
F: I have had several complaints from patients that they are not being given an option as to what they would like to eat at mealtimes. I have also had to call to the kitchen several times during a meal to remake trays that meet the correct diet outlined for the patient per the doctor’s orders.
O: I will meet with the dietician, the nurse manager, and the dietician assistants.
C: I will clarify what is happening during the current mealtime process and present the issues that have been brought to my attention from the patients along with the observations that I have made during mealtimes to the team.
U: The team will review what they know and enhance their knowledge. We will review each diet in detail and identify proper foods that comply with each diet by utilizing literature and available data. We will observe the way that the hospital and other facilities in the area serve their meals.
S: One possible solution that I would like to try is to send up a menu for lunch on the breakfast tray that includes the alternate for the lunch meal, the options would be appropriate for the patients specific diet. Let the patient review what is on the menu and decide if they would rather have the main course listed or the alternative. Have the staff pick up these papers and take them to the kitchen, where the kitchen staff can refer to each slip at lunch. I think this would save time in the long run and also ensure that the patient is getting their proper diet. I think that the patient is more likely to eat what is on their tray if they have a choice beforehand.
I have found this chapter to be helpful on ways that I can make positive changes at my workplace. I have enjoyed reading all of the charts and graphs, and think that the FOCUS methodology is a clear cut way to improve processes and look forward to using it throughout the rest of my career.
References
Kelley, P. (2010). Essentials of nursing leadership and management (2nd ed). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.
The Nursing Leadership and Management course specifically taught me how to be a leader, how to use my critical thinking skills to make decisions, and most importantly, how to properly delegate. There was an assignment that we had to complete in this course that involved reading chapter 8 in our Essentials of nursing leadership and management text on delegation. It explained the definition and listed examples of good and bad ways to delegate. We then had to write a paper reflecting on ways that we have witnessed good and bad forms of delegation. Nurses are faced with decision making and delegation on a daily basis. I feel that I have become a better nurse by knowing how to properly delegate tasks in order to give safe and quality care.
Through taking the Nursing Leadership and Management course, I also learned how to make positive changes in my work environment. I learned about the FOCUS methodology described in chapter 13 of the Essentials of nursing leadership and management text. We had to use this as a guide at our current work place to improve a process. This has helped to strengthen my leadership skills by allowing me to be more aware of processes at my workplace that could be improved upon and taking the initiative to make my work environment a more positive place. I plan to use the valuable knowledge that I have learned through this course in my future nursing practice by acting as a team leader, using my critical thinking skills on a daily basis, and properly delegating tasks in order to deliver safe, quality care.
Chapter 8 Assignment
Chapter eight teaches us about delegation of patient care. As quoted in our text, delegation is defined as the “transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another while retaining accountability for the outcome” (2010, p.189).
During my few short years working as a nurse, I have had the opportunity to delegate countless tasks to the CNA’s and LPN’s. An example of bad delegation that immediately comes to mind was my first day working on the floor as a nurse by myself. The rehab facility that I work for had just downsized the number of staff. There were two nurses scheduled to work; they decided that one nurse would pass all of the medications to the twenty patients on the floor while the other nurse did all of the treatments, assessments, and called the doctors with any issues. I had been working as a CNA at this facility prior to getting my nursing degree and I had told myself that I would be a nurse that was helpful to the aides. I was assigned to do the med pass that morning and as I was making my way around to the patients I started picking up trays, getting water and other supplies for the patients, rechecking vital signs, etc. to help the aides out. Needless to say, ten o’clock rolled around and I had only given morning medications to half of the patients on the floor. The other nurse that I was working with pulled me aside and talked to me about the importance of delegating things that the aides can do to allow myself time to do what I needed to get done. I learned a very valuable lesson that day.
An example of good delegation that comes to mind is working at this same rehab facility. A patient needed assistance to shower, get dressed, have the linens changed on her bed, and wanted to go for a walk in the hall as soon as possible. I delegated these tasks to one of the aides assigned to this hall. They promptly followed through with every task that was delegated. The patient was happy with the care that she had been given. Although this sort of thing happens on a daily basis, it is easy for this type of delegation to turn bad if the aide does not follow through with the tasks and the nurse does not follow up to ensure the tasks were completed.
I have learned a great deal through experience alone about proper ways to delegate. However, after reading chapter eight, I have been able to build upon the knowledge that I previously had. It is important to properly assess each situation and delegate accordingly. I need to make sure that the CNA’s and LPN’s know how to do the task that I ask them to complete and I need to be willing to educate and demonstrate to them if they are unsure. Finally, it is most important to follow up with tasks delegated. Ultimately, the RN is responsible for the tasks assigned. By using proper delegation skills, the best possible outcome can be achieved.
References
Kelley, P. (2010). Essentials of nursing leadership and management (2nd ed). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.
Chapter 13 Assignment
For this assignment, I would like to discuss a process at my workplace that I feel could be improved upon. I will use the FOCUS methodology mentioned in chapter thirteen of our text.
F: I have had several complaints from patients that they are not being given an option as to what they would like to eat at mealtimes. I have also had to call to the kitchen several times during a meal to remake trays that meet the correct diet outlined for the patient per the doctor’s orders.
O: I will meet with the dietician, the nurse manager, and the dietician assistants.
C: I will clarify what is happening during the current mealtime process and present the issues that have been brought to my attention from the patients along with the observations that I have made during mealtimes to the team.
U: The team will review what they know and enhance their knowledge. We will review each diet in detail and identify proper foods that comply with each diet by utilizing literature and available data. We will observe the way that the hospital and other facilities in the area serve their meals.
S: One possible solution that I would like to try is to send up a menu for lunch on the breakfast tray that includes the alternate for the lunch meal, the options would be appropriate for the patients specific diet. Let the patient review what is on the menu and decide if they would rather have the main course listed or the alternative. Have the staff pick up these papers and take them to the kitchen, where the kitchen staff can refer to each slip at lunch. I think this would save time in the long run and also ensure that the patient is getting their proper diet. I think that the patient is more likely to eat what is on their tray if they have a choice beforehand.
I have found this chapter to be helpful on ways that I can make positive changes at my workplace. I have enjoyed reading all of the charts and graphs, and think that the FOCUS methodology is a clear cut way to improve processes and look forward to using it throughout the rest of my career.
References
Kelley, P. (2010). Essentials of nursing leadership and management (2nd ed). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.