Reforms in health care
Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
Use references
EXAMPLE OF A REFERENCE:
If you cannot locate a doi number, this is how the reference should look:
Quelly, S. B. (2017). Characteristics Associated with School Nurse Childhood Obesity Prevention Practices. Pediatric Nursing, 43(4). Retrieved from https://www.pediatricnursing.net/issues/17julaug/abstr5.html
Main Post
In order to reform the healthcare system, strong leadership is needed to make that transformation and that leadership needed comes from all levels within an organization. Nurses need leadership skills and to be full partners with other health professionals in the efforts to redesign the health care system. It is crucial for nursing research and practice to develop improvements in care based on best evidence-based practices. Nurse leaders must be able to interpret new research findings and incorporate those into practice and education in order to advocate for policy change. Nurses are vital in identifying problems in the work environment, executing a plan for improvement, tracking it over time, and adjusting as needed to establish the best possible outcomes.
From the information in box 7.3, “Research Priorities for Transforming Nursing Leadership,” one of the topics is the identification of skills and knowledge most critical to leaders of healthcare organizations. This is important to me as I further my education to pursue a career in advanced nurse practitioner. The unique position that advanced nurse practitioners are in is they still posses the qualities of a nurse such as communication skills, attention to detail, empathy, emotional stability, problem-solving skills, and respect but are specialized to diagnose illnesses and conditions, interpret diagnostic tests, provide counseling, and prescribe medication as needed. According to the article in the Journal of Professional Nursing, Reforming health care means fixing escalating costs, providing accessibility and quality care to patients, and addressing personnel shortages in various health disciplines. Nurse practitioners are in a position to utilize their skills and knowledge to increase those shortcomings in various health disciplines and to provide high-quality more cost-effective care.
It is essential for nurses to possess leadership skills to be able to contribute to patient safety and quality of care effectively. These skill sets include being able to work in a team, knowledge of the healthcare delivery system, and holding themselves and others accountable. Collaboration amongst all levels within an organization has been proven to demonstrate more significant results with patient outcomes, cost, and job satisfaction. Education and self-confidence are essential attributions in a leader to advocate for needed changes in health care.
References
Archibald, M. M., & Fraser, K. (2013). The Potential for Nurse Practitioners in Health Care Reform. ScienceDirect, 29(5), 270-275. Retrieved from https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/science/article/pii/S8755722312001883?
Barnes, H., Maier, C. B., Sarik, D. A., Germack, H. D., Aiken, L. H., & McHugh, M. D. (2016, May 13). Effects of Regulation and Payment Policies on Nurse Practitioners’ Clinical Practices. Medical Care Research and Review, 74(4). Retrieved from https://journals-sagepub-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/doi/full/10.1177/1077558716649109?
Shaughnessy, M., Griffin, M. Q., Bhattacharya, A., & Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2018, November). Transformational leadership practices and work engagement among nurse leaders. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 48(11), 574-579. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000682
