NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

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NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NURS 6053 Week 3 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

NURS 6053 Week 3 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues Instructions

Quite often, nurse leaders are faced with ethical dilemmas, such as those associated with choices between competing needs and limited resources. Resources are finite, and competition for those resources occurs daily in all organizations.

For example, the use of 12-hour shifts has been a strategy to retain nurses. However, evidence suggests that as nurses work more hours in a shift, they commit more errors. How do effective leaders find a balance between the needs of the organization and the needs of ensuring quality, effective, and safe patient care?

In this Discussion, you will reflect on a national healthcare issue and examine how competing needs may impact the development of polices to address that issue. Have a look at NURS 6053 Week 3 Assignment: Developing Organizational Policies and Practices.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Resources and think about the national healthcare issue/stressor you previously selected for study in Module 1.
  • Reflect on the competing needs in healthcare delivery as they pertain to the national healthcare issue/stressor you previously examined.

By Day 3 of Week 3

Post an explanation of how competing needs, such as the needs of the workforce, resources, and patients, may impact the development of policy. Then, describe any specific competing needs that may impact the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected. What are the impacts, and how might policy address these competing needs? Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 3

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by providing additional thoughts about competing needs that may impact your colleagues’ selected issues, or additional ideas for applying policy to address the impacts described.

NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues Sample Paper

Given the complexity of issues that arise in the healthcare settings, it is always important to handle the issues as they arise (Kelly & Porr, 2018). However, the effectiveness in the handling of issues is not always as expected due to the dynamics of policies that guide the healthcare systems. It is a gamble between economic balance, ethics, and the available resources. Business oriented organizations focus on maximizing profits without considering their resource viability.

The business is also not hesitant to lay off individuals who are not able to cope up with the organizational demands. Thus, nurses end up being silent but express their misery through aggression which might adversely affect the overall performance of the healthcare facility. This paper discusses the importance of resource-need balance in policy making, examines compassion fatigue as one of the stressors that may impact national healthcare, and assesses the possible impacts and how policy may address the needs.

The policies in the management of the healthcare settings are not always as expected in some cases based on the resources available and the patient needs. For example, a policy that limits the number of nurses in a shift should always factor in the number of patients. The higher the number of patients, the higher the probability that there will be a need for more nurses. A disproportionate balance between the number of nurses and patients may lead to poor service delivery due to, among others, compassion fatigue.

Nursing ethics requires one to carry out their responsibilities according to the outlined principles of the nursing profession (American Nurses Association, 2015). However, it has not been possible to fully address the nursing responsibilities sufficiently with the incoming pressure from the assignment. According to Milliken (2018), nurses must not only consider the ethics of their practice, but also the overwhelming workloads that often characterize their work environments.

As a result, the nurses become relatively restless, an occurrence that can significantly influence their performances. They can lose touch with the patients, resulting in relatively poor performance in terms of service delivery. Thus, in designing nursing workplace policies, one must consider covering both patient and nursing staff needs by evaluating the different problems they encounter.  

Policies may work towards helping nurses and their performances. However, the approaches towards the determination of how most of the activities that people should consider at a time. The model of operation of a healthcare facility tends to define the degrees at which the service can be modifiable.

Healthcare facilities that put more focus on the business aspects of the operations and focus on the potential profits that can be incurred are more likely to have a negative impact on the overall operations of the organization. Business policies silences nurses which leads to significant aggression which may lead to poor services to the patients and generally lower performance of the healthcare facility.

The problems that relate to the balance between policies and the available services can be managed if appropriate policies are put in place to solve the problems. For example, the policies can be service centered that ensures the quality of services based on the average performance of the employees. Having one work for more hours at a higher pay may not be effective in the health sector due to the high chances of suffering from compassion fatigue. Policies might reduce compassion fatigue by increasing the number of nurses attending to patients. The approach can also be improved by reducing the number of hours that the nurses interact with the patient.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/coe-view-only

Kelly, P., & Porr, C. (2018). Ethical nursing care versus cost containment: Considerations to enhance RN practice. OJIN: Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(1), Manuscript 6.

Milliken, A. (2018). Ethical awareness: What it is and why it matters. OJIN: Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(1), Manuscript 1.

NURS 6053 Discussion: Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues Sample 2

Competing Needs in Healthcare

Policy development in the healthcare system is often faced with intricate challenges due to competing needs. These needs arise from various stakeholders, including the workforce, available resources, and patient care (Carron, 2020). Each class of needs has its own distinct priorities and requirements, making it challenging to find a balance that satisfies all parties involved. This complexity in balancing competing needs significantly influences the process of policy development.

Competing Needs Against Resources

Staffing, training, and professional development are crucial for healthcare workers. Policies must address nursing shortages, physician burnout, and staff retention. A lack of qualified healthcare professionals can lead to heavier workloads and decreased morale (Carron, 2020). This can result in higher turnover rates and compromised patient care. Patient care needs include access, affordability, and satisfaction.

Competing needs may arise from differences in healthcare access, service provision gaps, and patient preferences (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine et al., 2021). Ideally, policies should balance meeting diverse patient needs and ensuring fair access to care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status or location. Resource allocation challenges involve budget limitations, restricted technology access, and disparities in healthcare infrastructure (Kelly & Porr, 2018). Policymakers face tough decisions on where to allocate funds and equipment, leading to service delivery inequities.

Specific Competing Needs that Impact Nursing Shortages

Nursing shortages bring about various competing needs that must be addressed. These needs encompass ensuring sufficient staffing levels for proper patient care, securing resources such as funding for recruitment and retention efforts, and maintaining the quality of care provided to patients. The effects of these competing needs are clearly seen in the increased workloads placed on current nursing staff, higher rates of turnover, and the potential for compromises in patient safety and satisfaction (Incze & Ross, 2019). These effects come about when insufficient nursing staffing and resources to fund adequate staff lead to staff burnout and poor health care quality.

Role of Policy in Addressing These Competing Needs

Nursing education plays a crucial role in supplying the nursing workforce with nurses to balance the shortage (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine et al., 2021). Therefore, policymakers should increase funding for education programs to address the shortage of nurses and attract more individuals to nursing.

The policy system should also offer financial incentives such as tuition reimbursement to encourage nurses to work in underserved areas or specialties facing shortages. Improving nurse retention with mentorship programs, flexible scheduling, and career advancement opportunities can also offset the balance between nurse shortage and quality of care. Nurses must also advocate for legislation promoting safe staffing ratios to ensure optimal patient care and nurse satisfaction.

Conclusion

Addressing national healthcare issues requires policymakers to balance the needs of the workforce, resources, and quality patient care. Policies can enhance healthcare delivery, workforce satisfaction, and patient outcomes by carefully considering these priorities. Therefore, sustainable healthcare initiatives must be evidence-based, fair, and promote collaboration among stakeholders.

References

Carron, R. (2020). Health disparities in American Indians/Alaska Natives: Implications for nurse practitioners. The Nurse Practitioner, 45(6), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000666188.79797.a7

Incze, M., & Ross, J. S. (2019). On the need for (only) high-quality clinical practice guidelines. JAMA Internal Medicine, 179(4), 561. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.7471

Kelly, P., & Porr, C. (2018). Ethical nursing care versus cost containment: Considerations to enhance RN practice. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.3912/ojin.vol23no01man06

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, National Academy of Medicine, & Committee on the Future of Nursing. (2021). The future of nursing 2020-2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity (J. L. Flaubert, S. Le Menestrel, D. R. Williams, & M. K. Wakefield, Eds.). National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25982