NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper

NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper The Responsibilities of a Nurse Manager The fast-paced, multitasking role of a nurse manager is never boring. Fortunately, with the skills, training, and talent you will learn through the RN to BSN or the Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of Saint Mary, you will always be prepared.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Permalink: https://nursingpaperessays.com/ nurs-6200-the-nu…assignment-paper / Administration Nursing administration can take many forms. Your hospital, clinic, school, or other institutions will look to your expertise for screening, interviewing, and selecting nursing staff. You may also be involved with medical records and regulatory requirements. In some settings, you’ll have the opportunity to employ your diplomatic skills in addressing labor and union issues in the workplace. Planning and Budgeting A skill with numbers and an eye for detail likely helped you complete your nursing studies, and that same acumen comes in handy as a nurse manager. You’ll review and manage finances for your department, including salary and supplies Staff Management The “manager” part of a nurse manager steps into the forefront when you assume the responsibilities of leading and supervising a staff, which typically consists of any combination of licensed practical nurses (LPN), registered nurses (RN), certified nursing assistants, medical clerks, and aides. You also collaborate with other departments to promote the best patient outcomes. Your day may begin or end by reviewing case loads, going over assignments, discussing overall patient care, reinforcing patient care standards, reviewing transfer protocols, or other general and specific clinical duties. Staff meetings are ideal forums to share experiences, reveal problems, brainstorm solutions, and suggest answers.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper At the same time, you’ll schedule regular one-to-one meetings with your staff members to review individual issues, goals, and performance and training opportunities. As a mentor, you will inspire and motivate your staff to become better health care professionals and advocate for them among the larger clinical staff. Types of Nurse Managers Clinical Nurse Managers As a professional in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, acute care center, or other institution, you would have a broad scope of responsibilities and be regarded as a valuable member of a large, coordinated team. Depending on your specialty and training, you may be heading the nursing staffs in ICU, ER, Pediatrics, or other departments.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Nursing Case Managers Following a training course of about one year, you may become certified as a Nursing Case Manager. This role has you working closely with individual patients, coordinating treatment, tracking outcomes, and performing research. Some Case Managers work with insurance companies as well, advocating for the patient while designing a feasible treatment plan. Geriatric Care Nurse Manager As opposed to a Case Managers, a Geriatric Care Manager specializes in senior adults and their care. This role would have you assessing the patient’s home, consulting with family and physicians, creating a care plan, and supervising the appointment of home health aides and other support personnel. Special Skills of a Nurse Manager Communication and Collaboration Every nursing job has its foundation in communication – from outlining the treatment correctly to responding to questions and concerns from patients, family members, and clinical staff. As a nurse manager, your communication skills will help you explain policies to your nurses and represent your staff in cross-functional meetings.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Organization Knowing what needs to be done and when to do it extends not only to your role but also to that of your nursing staff. As a nurse manager, your ability for scheduling and follow-up will help make daily processes move more smoothly. Empathy You’ll see the health care profession from many perspectives as a nurse manager, and ideally you will demonstrate your ability to find common ground and foster cooperation in your workplace and with family members. The Roles of a Nurse Manager: Leading the nursing profession into the future “The nurse manager is responsible for creating safe, healthy environments that support the work of the health care team and contribute to patient engagement. The role is influential in creating a professional environment and fostering a culture where interdisciplinary team members are able to contribute to optimal patient outcomes and grow professionally,” the American Organization of Nurse Executives said.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Duquesne University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program provides registered nurses with the skills to advance in their careers and an opportunity to play a role in furthering healthcare for future generations. The MSN program builds on baccalaureate-level practices to prepare graduates for advanced practice and management positions. Duquesne’s three areas of MSN specialization — Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner, Forensic Nursing and Nursing Education and Faculty Role – allow registered nurses to choose their path. Duties as a Nurse Manager and Leader Nurses who serve in management positions are expected to not only make vital decisions to assist in patient care but are also expected to carry out defined duties that include the following: Staff management Case management Treatment planning Recruitment Budgeting Scheduling Discharge planning Mentoring Developing educational plans Records management Nurse managers need strong communication and leadership skills. They should be adept at coordinating resources and personnel and meeting goals and objectives. They must be effective leaders who can strike a balance between working with the nursing staff and the healthcare facility administrators.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said nurse managers are change agents. They work with staff to find and implement useful changes to improve patient wellness and safety outcomes. Nurse managers also implement regulatory guidelines for patient safety set by state and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Joint Commission, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. They have to make sure the staff is educated on care standards and can implement them as needed. Nurse managers work in a number of clinical settings including hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools, and psychiatric institutions. “Nurse managers lead their unit staff in preventing patient harm in their unit, empowering nurses to be the first line of defense against patient harm,” the agency reported.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Traits of a Successful Nurse Manager Working as a nurse manager requires skills beyond clinical care. The job requires management skills, budgeting and business acumen and leadership qualities. Communications and interpersonal skills are also vital. The following characteristics are common among successful nurse managers: Effective Communication Skills – Part of being an effective leader is listening to staff and patient concerns and communicating needs. Nurse managers must be able to build solid rapports with all staff members, from the janitorial staff to head administrators, as well as patients to create cohesiveness. Advocacy – In some cases, nurse leaders might have to advocate for staff to ensure a safe and reasonable practice environment. In other cases, they might have to advocate for patient safety and access to quality healthcare. Nurse managers should not be afraid of using their voice and position. Participation – With so many administrative demands, it is important that nurse managers balance business with patient care. Nurse managers must have superior clinical skills to ensure patient safety and well being.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Mentoring – Successful nurse leaders do not micromanage their staff. They encourage, empower, mentor, and find strengths. They boost creativity and mindfulness. Maturity – Nurse managers do not immediately take sides in squabbles or assess blame before knowing all the facts. They don’t let simmering emotions boil over. Instead, they meet conflict and work through it. Professionalism – Nurse managers follow their moral compass to ensure all aspects of the profession are met with honesty and integrity. They address people with respect and do not bully. Supportive – They don’t set the bar for expectations unreasonably high. Instead, they use supportive encouragement to challenge employees to success. They coach and mentor. The Future of Nurse Managers As the current nursing workforce ages and retires, the anticipated shortage of nurses will create opportunities for newly minted nurse managers. Researchers have found that nurse managers are vital to overall nurse retention because they influence the quality of work and the stability of a work environment. “Strong leadership qualities in the nursing unit manager have been associated with greater job satisfaction, reduced turnover intention among nursing staff, and improved patient outcomes. Nurse leaders need to be supported in an effort to retain nurses given ongoing workforce issues and to ensure high-quality patient care,” researchers said in the 2014 “Leadership skills for nursing unit managers to decrease intention to leave” study.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Researchers found there must be cohesive relationships among staff members and better communications with staff for nurse managers to do a better job in the future. Continual changes in healthcare and a focus on costs are among the many things that make the role of nurse manager challenging. Nursing professionals at Florida Atlantic University encouraged leaders to “challenge their thinking and practices to recognize that the crux of leadership is in the power of relationships.” “Growing future nurse leaders is a long-term quest that requires both planning and action,” authors of the “Growing Nurse Leaders: Their Perspectives on Nursing Leadership and Today’s Practice Environment” study found. “Our emerging leaders will ultimately replace our current leaders and continue the very important work being done to improve nursing practice environments, and most importantly, patient outcomes. Yet succession planning is challenging today in a healthcare environment that is fast paced and constantly changing.” Students working toward an online MSN degree at Duquesne University are trained for the role of nursing leader. The program provides a broad-based nursing education that allows students to assume managerial roles and effectuate future changes in the profession. The online MSN program allows students to take nursing classes remotely and learn from leaders in the field while continuing their careers as registered nurses.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper The Financial Role of the Nurse Manager Nurse managers play a critical role in hospital operations. Nurses provide the majority of inpatient care and are responsible for patient safety and well-being. That means nurse managers have to ensure their units live up to their very big responsibilities. At the same time, hospitals are business entities and have fiscal concerns. Nurse managers have a fiduciary duty to their organizations and play a key part in ensuring hospitals make budget. Scheduling Nursing labor is one of the largest patient-care costs in a hospital. Unlike certain medical services such as rehabilitation therapy, nursing services don’t generate revenue — nursing is considered a cost center. Therefore, hospitals strive to maintain enough nurses on duty for proper care and safety while not incurring excessive costs. Nurse managers are charged with figuring out how to responsibly and cost effectively staff their departments through weekly, biweekly and monthly schedules.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Payroll Although certain hospitals use computer systems that monitor employee activity, nurse managers often have to submit payroll for their departments. Even in facilities with advanced timekeeping systems, nurse managers have to review and validate payroll reports and coordinate with human resource departments about employee leaves, vacations and illnesses. This is important for managing labor costs. Supplies Nurses have relatively unhampered access to medical supplies. However, every syringe, IV bag and tongue depressor costs money. Hospitals rely on nurses’ discretion when using supplies. Nurse managers are tasked with keeping an eye on supplies, encouraging their responsible use and, when necessary, allocating or rationing them carefully. Nurse managers need to make sure nurses have what they need to do their jobs while at the same time encouraging fiscal responsibility. Insurance Utilization Hospitals have to be mindful of what patients’ medical insurance plans allow. When providing services and making patient care decisions, nurse managers have to consider which interventions are covered and which may cost a patient or the facility substantial sums. Among other things, nurse managers review patient cases with nurse case managers and floor nurses to ensure that care delivered lines up as best as possible with hospital and patient financial considerations. NURSE MANAGERS at all levels work together to address emerging trends, adopt innovative ideas, and work toward the shared goals of quality, efficiency, and excellence in practice. They guide and lead front line nurses while contributing to an organization’s success.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Some of the most rewarding experiences happen on the front lines. The nurse manager is responsible for nursing practice and quality of care among front line nurses or nurses in a single unit or department—as well as overseeing all personnel and budget matters and creating an environment that supports professional practice and employee engagement. Traditionally, head nurse was the title assigned to the front line manager role. Today, nurse manager or director is more common. Nurse managers straddle the worlds of staff and middle-upper management, ensuring a two-way flow of communication. They translate and promote organizational goals to front line staff and remove barriers that could hinder their performance. Managers must keep pace with current advances in care and technology as well as regulatory and legal requirements. Command central Most nurse managers play the role of command central—providing support, recognition, just-in-time information, a calm hand and cool head in emergencies, and advocacy for patients, families, and staff. They also have an opportunity to encourage personal development and professional growth among staff. Above all, managers see the impact of the care their nurses provide and its effect on patients and families. Managers set the stage and expectations for excellence in caring, optimizing quality, and a “just culture”—one that doesn’t hold practitioners accountable for system failures but that doesn’t tolerate reckless behavior. Nurse managers instill hope and determination for teams to do their best work.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper The larger the organization, the greater the need to ensure a unified approach to staying focused on achieving goals and objectives. Directors or administrators responsible for more than one department take a systematic approach with managers, providing clear expectations and direction so staff know their roles and accountabilities. Beyond nursing Nurse managers may be responsible for personnel in other disciplines, not just nursing. In many settings, teams consist of nurses, assistive personnel, social workers, therapists, technicians, teachers, fiscal and front-office staff, chaplains, pharmacists, and others who contribute to patient care. Nurse managers also interact with ancillary staff who care for the environment, provide nutritional services, maintain physical facilities, and support the nursing staff in care delivery. Nurse managers have the skill and breadth of experience to manage complex operations as well as diverse personnel. Together with front line managers and clinical leaders, nurse management teams help set the organization’s direction and goals. These teams strive for consistent practices and accountability across an organization. Together, the team sets goals to support the overall direction of the organization, encourage and monitor performance at the unit or department level, and evaluate results that build across the organization.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Nurse managers may choose to advance to a nurse executive role. The executive is responsible for practice, fiscal matters, strategic planning, advocacy for human resource issues, promoting professional achievement, and assuring an environment that supports clinical excellence. Serving as liaisons, nurse executives partner with multidisciplinary colleagues, set the vision, and serve in a leadership capacity for the organization as a whole. They also act as external ambassadors and establish collaborative relationships with the public, lawmakers, academic partners, and other nursing groups. The nurse manager’s role in creating a healthy work environment The role of nurse manager of an acute or critical care unit is one of the most difficult roles in healthcare today. This individual must juggle patient care issues, staff concerns, medical staff relationships, supply inadequacies, and organizational initiatives–and then balance all of this with a personal life. The only way in which any of this is remotely possible is if the patient care unit provides a supportive environment for patients, families, and staff. The nurse manager is a pivotal person in this effort: research repeatedly shows that people don’t leave their jobs, they leave their managers. This article describes how the nurse manager of an acute neurosciences unit worked with her staff to define, create, and maintain a work environment in which patient care improved, people enjoyed working, and retention of staff increased.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper The Role of a Nurse Manager A nurse manager provides oversight for a nursing staff and completes administrative tasks to ensure the health-care facility is running smoothly. Responsible for personnel matters, a nurse manager coordinates staffing and all needs related to patient care. This position serves as a conduit between front-line staff, physicians and other administrators. You’ll need strong communication skills, clinical experience and the ability to lead others to excel in this role. Job Description A nurse manager is the nursing organizational mastermind for a health-care unit in a hospital or clinical setting. Supervising all nurses working in the unit, a nurse manager hires, trains and evaluates nurses to ensure patient care is running smoothly. Organizational skills are critical for this position. Constantly seeing the big picture, a nurse manager must schedule nurses according to the patient load, and this varies at any given time. Budgetary oversight is also a responsibility of a nurse manager. Working with top administration, the person in this position must meet the staffing and supply demands of the unit within the constraints of the allocated budget. If there is a discrepancy, a nurse manager must make a case for additional funds to provide the best care possible for patients. Serving as the leader of the unit, a nurse manager responds to patient and family concerns as they arise. Risk management and policy enforcement are additional important responsibilities of this position. Finally, when necessary, a nurse manager pitches in to assist when the unit is short-staffed.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Nursing is a dynamic and challenging profession requiring engaging and inspiring role models and leaders. In today’s ever changing and demanding healthcare environment, identifying and developing nurse leaders is one of the greatest challenges faced by the nursing profession. The concept of leadership is a complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon; research conducted for over a century concludes that although it is one of the most-observed concepts, no universally accepted definition or theory of leadership actually exists. There is increasing clarity surrounding what true nursing leadership is, and how it differs from management. This discussion will outline the nature of nursing leadership and importance of nurse leaders in advancing the profession; clarify definitions and differentiate between nurse managers and nurse leaders; describe the evolution of nurse leadership by identify theories and styles of leadership relevant to nursing practice; and highlight the importance of identifying leaders in the nursing profession. The paper also serves as a caution to recognize, avoid and discourage “negative” leaders in the pursuit of a bright future for the nursing profession.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper With appropriate identification, support and development of future nurse leaders, an acknowledgement of the shifting paradigm of leadership theory and the context in which future nurse leaders are destined to grow, the ultimate goal of the nursing profession – excellent in person-centered care – can be achieved. It is essential to the future success of the nursing profession that informal, negative “leaders” be discouraged and positive leaders, possessing the evidence-based qualities of leadership be identified and nurtured to lead the profession. As the healthcare industry shifts from volume to value, the role of nurse leaders in the workforce is rapidly evolving. However, quality leadership skills never go out of style. So, what does it take to be an outstanding nurse manager? Medical Solutions’ Clinical Nurse Manager Natalie O., BSN, RN, shares her top 5 successful nurse manager traits below:NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Clinical expert and savvy business professional : Great nurse managers quickly learn to wear many hats. That’s because they must constantly balance business decisions with their unit’s clinical needs. In today’s ever-evolving healthcare system, it is no longer enough to simply make sure the nursing department is properly staffed. Effective nurse managers also implement cost-controlling measures and process efficiencies to ensure their unit runs smoothly.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Strategic decision-maker and conflict manager : A skilled nurse manager must also balance short-term needs with long-term goals. Likewise, the nursing staff will look to their manager to address conflicts as they arise. Confrontations are never easy, but a nurse manager who ignores a problem will only sow discontent among his or her staff. Conversely, a nurse manager who handles an issue with open and honest communication will always be appreciated. Most hospital administrators agree that a nurse manager’s ability to make effective decisions is crucial to the success of the unit. Strong communicator : The decisions and choices a nurse manager must make are not always easy or popular. A successful nurse manager recognizes the need to explain the rationale behind these decisions to their staff when necessary. Active listening skills are also an essential part of effective communication. Front line staff will respect a nurse manager who can listen to their needs and work with them to achieve their goals.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Motivational leader: A great nurse manager inspires their staff to perform at their best. Often, a nurse manager is tasked with building an empowering culture by mentoring younger nurses and supporting collaboration between nurses and other members of the hospital staff. Moreover, successful nurse managers do not bully or tolerate bullying from others. They know that fostering a healthy work environment can positively affect not only patient care outcomes, but also nurse staff recruitment, retention and engagement efforts . Adaptive game changer: An active nurse manager knows that sometimes life just happens . That’s why they must be able to adjust staffing or care decisions in response to changing needs. For example, a member of the team might need to change shifts with another nurse to accommodate a special family gathering, like a wedding or birthday. Exceptional leaders inspire confidence when they show understanding and compassion for their staff.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Traits of an Effective Nurse Manager 10. They inspire their team and lead by example. 9. They still really enjoy working on the floor, caring for patients. 8. They’re flexible about your time off. 7. When the shift gets busy, they’ll jump right in! 6. They’re great listeners. They even pull you aside to work through what’s irritating you, and when you leave their office, you feel ready to get on with the day! 5. They are strong, stable and compassionate. 4. They know how to take charge and they know how to handle it! 3. They don’t use “medical language” to talk over people’s heads. 2. They meet the needs of the patient just like an RN, LPN or CNA . 1. The patients don’t even know they’re the manager unless they’re told The Qualities of a Nurse Manager A nurse manager has a complex and demanding job that involves coordinating the work of people with varying skills, education and personalities to provide safe, high-quality patient care. Nurse managers must assume responsibility for staff performance, financial management, resource utilization and patient outcomes, as well as ensuring that care is delivered according to standards of practice and organizational policy. A good nurse manager should provide leadership, ensure the unit or department runs smoothly and be a professional role model for her staff.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Clinical Expertise Clinical skills are an important quality in the nurse manager. The staff on a unit look to the nurse manager for clinical expertise and advice when they have a problem. The nurse manager should be able to demonstrate how to change a dressing or start an intravenous line, or be able to make recommendations for managing a particular situation. The nurse manager must be committed to ongoing education through reading, formal education and regular clinical practice to ensure she retains her clinical expertise. Communication Skills Communication is a key skill for a nurse manager. The staff on a nursing unit may include nurse aides with minimal education as well as nursing professionals educated at the baccalaureate level or above. Nurse managers also interact with doctors, social workers, patients, families, other hospital workers such as respiratory therapists or lab technicians and senior hospital administration staff. Some of the people who work in or seek care from a hospital may have limited English skills. In each case, the nurse manager must be able to establish rapport, ensure communication is clear and listen carefully for potential problems or miscommunication.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Flexibility A nurse manager must be flexible. Priorities can change quickly in a healthcare setting as patients develop problems. Most inpatient hospital units experience daily or even hourly changes in census as patients are admitted or discharged. Medical technology also changes regularly, or the lack of a particular item may necessitate a change in supplies or equipment. The nurse manager must be able to adjust staffing or care decisions in response to changing needs while also being decisive when necessary. Managing People People management skills are vital for nurse managers. Much of a nurse manager’s work is done through others, so a nurse manager must be able to educate and supervise without micromanaging. A nurse manager uses conflict resolution and negotiating skills to promote collaboration between staff, physicians and hospital leaders. Nurse managers must be able to coach and mentor staff at all levels and to work with the varied strengths and weaknesses of the nursing staff on the unit.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper Other Skills Other important skills for nurse managers, according to an article in the August 2009 issue of “Nursing Management,” are a focus on quality and patient safety, attention to patient satisfaction and a good grasp of customer service. The article also recommends that senior leaders look for a nurse manager with financial acumen, strong physician relationships, collegiality and networking ability and the appropriate use of power. Nurse managers should also be creative, innovative and able to multitask, prioritize and self-direct. qualities in a successful nurse manager If you had to describe the perfect nurse manager, what qualities would he or she have? Scrubbed In weighed in on what we think are 5 of the most important characteristics of a successful nurse manager.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper 1. They have one foot in the clinical world Perhaps one of the greatest challenges nurse managers face is the bridging of fiscal and clinical responsibilities. With so many demands today on tightening budgets and consolidating resources, it’s easy to lose footing in the day-to-day realities on the unit. Skilled nurse managers are able to balance business decisions with clinical needs. Not an easy job to accomplish! 2. They make smart strategic decisions As a bedside nurse, it can be hard to appreciate this skill because it’s not necessarily visible. But that doesn’t make it any less valuable. Successful managers need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals. Often these are the decisions that happen behind the scenes. And the long-term success of the unit depends on it. 3. They value working relationships Effective managers know that developing and maintaining healthy work relationships is key to their success and the success of the unit. These managers practice shared governance and listen openly to input from staff. They address conflicts as they arise, directly and honestly. They support collaboration, both nurse-to-nurse and multidisciplinary. And they recognize that a healthy work environment yields better patient outcomes and a happier and more fulfilled nursing staff.NURS 6200 – The Nurse Administrator: Leading and Managing for Excellence Assignment Paper 4. They lead with integrity Those that lead with integrity uphold their own professional accountability. They ask of themselves, “What role am I playing in this situation?” They identify their values and then use those values as a compass to stay on course. And they’re honest. Leading with integrity doesn’t always mean doing what your staff wants you to do. But it does mean being a straight shooter when it comes to explaining the rat

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