As a nurse leader, you need to have the skills and knowledge to collaborate and communicate with those who plan for and manage change. This capacity is valuable in any health care setting and for many different types of change. Furthermore, it is essential to be able to evaluate a change effort and determine if it is promoting improved outcomes and making a positive difference within the department or unit, or for the organization as a whole.

To prepare:

·        Review Chapters 7 and 8 in the course text. Focus on the strategies for planning and implementing change in an organization, as well as the roles of nurses, managers, and other health care professionals throughout this process.

·        Reflect on a specific change that has recently occurred in your organization or one in which you have worked previously. What was the catalyst or purpose of the change?

·        How did the change affect your job and responsibilities?

·        Consider the results of the change and whether or not the intended outcomes have been achieved.

·        Was the change managed skillfully? Why or why not? How might the process have been improved?

On the Week 4 Discussion Board, post on a summary of a specific change within an organization and describe the impact of this change on your role and responsibilities. Explain the rationale for the change, and whether or not the intended outcomes have been met. Assess the management of the change, and propose suggestions for how the process could have been improved.

Course Readings/ Resources

·        Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2015). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

o   Chapter 7, “Strategic and Operational Planning” Chapter 8, “Planned Change”

·        McAlearney, A., Terris, D., Hardacre, J., Spurgeon, P. Brown, C.,  Baumgart, A.,  Nyström, M. (2014). Organizational coherence in health care organizations: Conceptual guidance to facilitate quality improvement and organizational change. Quality Management in Health Care, 23(4), 254-267 doi: 10.1097/QMH.0b013e31828bc37d

·        Mitchell, G. (2013). Selecting the best theory to implement planned change. Nursing Management – UK,20(1), 32-37. doi: 10.7748/nm2013.04.20.1.32.e1013

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·        Shirey, M. R. (2013). Lewin’s Theory of Planned Change as a strategic resource. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 43(2), 69-72. doi:10.1097/NNA.0b013e31827f20a9