NUR 674 Practicum Journal: Authority

NUR 674 Practicum Journal: Authority

Practicum activities provide nursing students with the chance to present and journal their experiences and activities in their practicum sites based on various aspects like how leaders use their authority (Andrew et al., 2022). In weeks 3 and 4, I spent three hours each week with my nurse leader to understand various aspects of nursing like exercising authority. Other activities during the two weeks entail conducting an organizational needs analysis and developing a graphic project timeline. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on these activities, interactions, and outcomes during the two weeks and their overall effects on nursing practice and the subject of authority.

Practicum Activities Reflection

In the third and fourth weeks, my observations and thoughts concerning activities in the practicum settings focused on the practical application of leadership attributes and styles by nurse leaders and even my preceptor. For instance, I observed the importance of integrating appropriate leadership attributes that inspire and encourage nurses to provide quality patient care. I also reflected on the previous discussions on the importance of communication and collaboration within the facility to enhance quality patient care by reducing medication errors. A continuation of the discussion about nurse executive competencies for clinical practice knowledge showed the importance of understanding emerging trends in nursing practice and the roles and functions of a patient care team. I also participated in a virtual training session by The Joint Commission on Patient Safety and quality management.

The discussion question in week three entailed the process of conducting an organizational needs assessment, and appropriate tools to determine such needs. The development of a graphic project timeline was a significant activity in week four. The graphic project timeline provides a visual illustration of all critical stages of the project; from project approval to reassessment of its outcomes. Week four discussion focused on elements required for entities to be considered high-reliability organizations (HROs) and their relationship to safety and quality (Smith et al., 2020). The discussion also underscored the critical role of nurse administrators in developing the necessary elements to attain a high-reliability organization recognition or status. As such, these discussions and activities underpin the importance of strategic management focused on addressing organizational needs and the attainment of high reliability in healthcare settings because of the high prevalence of possible risks that may have adverse effects on patients.

Application of Leadership

Change management is a critical component of any professional life, especially for nurses in healthcare settings. Change management involves preparing, supporting, and assisting individuals, teams, and organizations to implement new processes and approaches to managing their operations. The core goal of change management is to implement strategies to effect change, control change, and assist employees in organizations to adapt to new ways of doing things. My professional life demonstrates that implementing change also requires one to use the right change models based on the unique position of their organizations and practice settings. For instance, change tools like Lewin’s change model and Kotter’s eight-step change process provide change implementers with a roadmap to execute new processes and ways of attaining change. Again, effective leadership styles like transformational leadership style that embraces new approaches to attaining set goals, are essential for change leaders to share their vision for change and goals (Yoder-Wise et al., 2022). Further, applying the four principles of change management illustrates how organizations can implement change in a professional setting. The four principles include understanding change, planning change, implementing change, and communicating change for all to embrace and embedding it as part of the organizational culture and processes.

Change management is closely associated with strategic management principles. Strategic management entails establishing and implementing major goals and programs identified and established by the top management based on resource consideration and a needs assessment report to justify change emanating from external and internal environments (Andrew et al., 2022). Change management relates to strategic management principles as both focusing on aligning the actions of an organization with its vision, mission, and objectives. Secondly, both strategic management principles and change management perspective implore organizations to adjust and adapt to new trends and ways of doing things to attain productivity and performance in their respective industries (Yoder-Wise et al., 2022). Both change management and strategic management require effective engagement of stakeholders to understand both needs and expectations as well as attain their support to implement programs and interventions like effective communication to reduce and prevent medication errors and enhance patient safety. Implementing effective communication measures through tools like bar code scanning and administration requires the team to apply change management approaches while also consider the strategic management approaches to benefit the organization and its stakeholders, like patients.

Practicum Project Preparation

The main goals of this project include enhancing communication among nurses, reducing medication administration errors, and improving patient safety and quality of care. The integration of communication tools like barcode medication administration (BCMA) will reduce medication errors and help improve patient safety and communication among nurses, especially during shift handover. The organization’s mission is to provide high-quality patient-centered care interventions (Boehme et al., 2022). The project supports this goal by ensuring regular patient interactions and prompt feedback on patient needs. The vision of the practicum site (organization) is to attain a Magnet Status or recognition as a quality care facility in the state and even across the country. The proposed project focuses on improving patient safety and quality of care by reducing and preventing the occurrence of medication errors and enhancing communication among nurses (Owens et al., 2020). Finally, all healthcare organizations focus on risk reduction and preventing adverse events. As high-reliability entities, healthcare organizations want to lower the effects of possible risks by developing a just culture and improving efficiency in their systems. As such, the goal of this project is to improve efficiency and this aligns with the organizational core values.

Leadership Video Reflection

The video, “Servant Leadership-Issues of Authority” offers critical lessons for nurses and nurse leaders in all healthcare settings, including those in practicum sites. The two critical lessons I get from this video are that servant leaders do not show that they wield power but serve others, and secondly, they use their authority to empower and influence others. Servant leaders leverage their power to foster trust and respect which leads to having a more productive and conducive workplace culture (GCU Media, n.d). Again, servant leaders leverage their authority to not only inspire but also empower others by encouraging them to develop skills and take responsibilities that result in personal growth and better team performance.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the third and fourth week of the practicum provides a rich perspective of the accomplishments attained during the program, especially interacting with nurse leaders and using evidence-based practice approaches to improve patient safety and quality of care. Nurse leaders should inspire nurses and nursing students in their practicum sites to apply appropriate leadership models while implementing change to attain high-reliability organizations (HROs) and implement a just culture to reduce medication errors. The reflection demonstrates the importance of embracing diversity and using evidence-based practice approaches to implement change.

References

Andrew, L., Dare, J., Robinson, K., & Costello, L. (2022). Nursing practicum equity for a

Changing nurse student demographic: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 21(1), 37. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00816-2

Boehme, S., Wohlt, P., Valentine, J., & Ensign, R. (2022). Sustained barcode medication

administration rates less than 2 percent in a large healthcare system. Journal of Patient

Safety and Risk Management, 27(6): 268-274. https://doi.org/10.1177/25160435221137145

GCU Media. (n.d.). Servant Leadership – The Issue of Authority.   https://lc.gcumedia.com/nur670/servant-leadership/v2.1/

Owens, K., Palmore, M., Penoyer, D., & Viers, P. (2020). The effect of implementing bar-code

medication administration in an emergency department on medication administration errors and nursing satisfaction. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 46(6): 884-891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2020.07.004

Smith, C. M., & Johnson, C. S. (2020). Preparing nurse leaders in nursing professional

development: Theories applied to leadership in nursing professional development. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 34(1), 38-40.

DOI: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000404

Yoder-Wise, P. S., & Sportsman, S. (2022). Leading and Managing in Nursing E-Book: Leading

and Managing in Nursing E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

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Assessment Traits

Requires Lopeswrite

Assessment Description

Journaling provides a valuable tool for recording, reflecting on, and reviewing your learning. This approach provides an opportunity for you to “connect the dots” and observe the relationships between and among activities, interactions, and outcomes.

Unlike a personal journal of thoughts and feelings, this leadership journal is a record of your activities, assessments, and learning related to this academic experience.

Journal entries should include a record of the number of hours spent with your nurse leader each week.

Write a journal entry of 750-1,500 words on the subject of authority, including the following:

Practicum Activities Reflection: Provide observations and thoughts on the activities in your practicum setting during Weeks 3-4.

Application of Leadership: Reflect on how change management is handled in your professional life. How is this related to strategic management principles? Explain your answer and provide an example.

Practicum Project Preparation: Explain how your project goals align with the mission and vision of your organization, as well as with the organizational needs. Is it important that these align? Provide your rationale.

Leadership Video Reflection: Reflect on at least two things you learned from the “Servant Leadership – Issue of Authority” video.

Use the “Leadership Journal Template,” located in Class Resources, to complete this assignment.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Resources

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Management and Leadership for Nurse Administrators

Required

Read Chapters 6 and 7 in Management and Leadership for Nurse Administrators.

View Resource

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Servant Leadership – Issue of Authority

Required

View the “Servant Leadership – Issue of Authority” video on the Servant Leadership playlist by GCU Academics – Nursing. Use the P

… Read More

https://lc.gcumedia.com/nur670/servant-leadership/v2.1/

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Chapter 13 – Strategic Change Management

Required

Read “Chapter 13 – Strategic Change Management,” by Walston, from Strategic Healthcare Management: Planning and Execution 

… Read More

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://library.books24x7.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/library.asp?%5eB&bookid=142868&chunkid=976933007&rowid=663

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Budgeting for Results

Required

Read “Budgeting for Results,” by Ross, from The Health Care Manager (2020).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?ur

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Practicum Journal: Authority – Rubric

 

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Rubric Criteria

Total40 points

Criterion	1. Unsatisfactory	2. Insufficient	3. Approaching	4. Acceptable	5. Target
Practicum Activities Reflection	0 points A reflection of the observations and activities in the practicum setting is not included.	8 points A reflection of the observations and activities in the practicum setting is incomplete or incorrect.	8.8 points A reflection of the observations and activities in the practicum setting is included but lacks relevant supporting details.	9.2 points A reflection of the observations and activities in the practicum setting is complete and includes relevant supporting details.	10 points A reflection of the observations and activities in the practicum setting is thorough and includes substantial supporting details.
Application of Leadership	0 points A description of the application of leadership skills in the professional setting is not included.	6.4 points A description of the application of leadership skills in the professional setting is incomplete or incorrect.	7.04 points A description of the application of leadership skills in the professional setting is included but lacks relevant supporting details.	7.36 points A description of the application of leadership skills in the professional setting is complete and includes relevant supporting details.	8 points A description of the application of leadership skills in the professional setting is thorough and includes substantial supporting details.
Practicum Project Preparation	0 points A description of the work done towards planning and completion of the practicum project is not included.	6.4 points A description of the work done towards planning and completion of the practicum project is incomplete or incorrect.	7.04 points A description of the work done towards planning and completion of the practicum project is included but lacks relevant supporting details.	7.36 points A description of the work done towards planning and completion of the practicum project is complete and includes relevant supporting details.	8 points A description of the work done towards planning and completion of the practicum project is thorough and includes substantial supporting details.
Leadership Video Reflection	0 points A reflection on learning resulting from the assigned leadership video is not included.	6.4 points A reflection on learning resulting from the assigned leadership video is incomplete or incorrect.	7.04 points A reflection on learning resulting from the assigned leadership video is included but lacks relevant supporting details.	7.36 points A reflection on learning resulting from the assigned leadership video is complete and includes relevant supporting details.	8 points A reflection on learning resulting from the assigned leadership video is thorough and includes substantial supporting details.
Mechanics of Writing Includes spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, language use, sentence structure, etc.	0 points Errors in grammar or syntax are pervasive and impede meaning. Incorrect language choice or sentence structure errors are found throughout.	1.6 points Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors are present. Inconsistencies in language choice or sentence structure are recurrent.	1.76 points Occasional mechanical errors are present. Language choice is generally appropriate. Varied sentence structure is attempted.	1.84 points Few mechanical errors are present. Suitable language choice and sentence structure are used.	2 points No mechanical errors are present. Skilled control of language choice and sentence structure are used throughout.
Format/Documentation Uses appropriate style, such as APA, MLA, etc., for college, subject, and level; documents sources using citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., appropriate to assignment and discipline.	0 points Appropriate format is not used. No documentation of sources is provided.	3.2 points Appropriate format is attempted, but some elements are missing. Frequent errors in documentation of sources are evident.	3.52 points Appropriate format and documentation are used, although there are some obvious errors.	3.68 points Appropriate format and documentation are used with only minor errors.	4 points No errors in formatting or documentation are present. Selectivity in the use of direct quotations and synthesis of sources is demonstrated.

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