Leading Through Change

The nursing practice landscape is continuously evolving, with current and future nurses being encouraged to assume a broader role in patient care. Nurses are currently challenged to involve themselves in other healthcare functionalities such as chronic care, advocacy, and patient education. Advanced practice registered nurses, in particular, are increasingly assuming dominant roles in patient care. Their expertise and training position them to be healthcare leaders. In this regard, they continue to oversee other nurses’ practices and engage in clinical decision-making processes in patient treatment plans (Takkush, 2022). As healthcare leaders, they carry the organizational vision and inspire change in other caregivers within the clinical healthcare teams. This paper explores the role of acute care nurse practitioners through the lens of future nursing practice.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) remain valuable in acute nursing care. They specialize in providing care for patients presenting with acute conditions as those with exacerbations of their chronic conditions. Due to the nature of their services, they may work in varied healthcare setups such as hospital emergency rooms, operating rooms, urgent care clinics, and even in ambulatory setups where prehospital emergency care is necessary. The future goal of an ACNP is to preserve the lives of persons presenting with exacerbated chronicity and those presenting with acute conditions. An ACNP also aims to provide quality and safe care to patients to prevent sequelae and complications that may be attributable to delays in treatment. ACNPs envision a community in which the members get critical care when health emergencies befall them. Additionally, ACNPs envision a healthcare system with adequate ACNPs who can sufficiently handle the growing number of casualties.

Globally, there has been an exponential increase in the number of patients presenting with chronic disorders requiring long-term care. The incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders continues to rise. Consequently, complications attributable to these disorders also increase (Gong et al., 2018). These complications often warrant prompt and acute care to enable the preservation of these lives. Also, with an increase in the aging American population, the incidences of acute presentations and exacerbations of underlying chronic disorders are expected to grow markedly. With emerging infectious diseases, acute presentations resulting from these infections may be apparent. These presentations are expected to put a considerable strain on the healthcare system. Accordingly, acute care nurse practitioners are expected to meet these increasing healthcare demands and release this strain. Their experience and expertise are invaluable in such scenarios. It is necessary that more nurses pursue this specialty field to enable the future healthcare system to meet the need for acute and preventive care.

Change Management Strategies

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, several changes in care provision are expected. Technological advances in healthcare coupled with healthcare innovations accustomed to these technological advances continue to inform several healthcare functionalities. Most healthcare innovations are targeted at increasing the efficiency of care provision, promoting safety, and enhancing the quality of care provision. Seamless integration of these newer approaches and changes in healthcare is necessary (Giusi et al., 2018). Change management strategies provide a systematic approach to dealing with organizational transformations.

Several change management strategies can be utilized in implementing changes within the healthcare system. Developmental change management strategy seeks to enhance the functional capacities of already existing systems. This may include skills expansion via continuous educational programs or acquisition of new expertise to bridge the functional gap that was apparent in the organization. The transformational strategy involves a slower rollout of the change process into the organizational framework. It employs a trial-and-error approach and does not give a definite outcome. This strategy remains effective in organizations that draw a diverse workforce, such as the healthcare system. A transitional change strategy replaces what already exists with a newer approach. Its utility is not favorable in the healthcare system.

To effect healthcare changes, change processes must be gradual. These change processes must also be wary of the complexities of the workforce and the likely implications it may have on organizational operationalization. In the healthcare system, change processes are often rolled out gradually to enable healthcare providers to accustom themselves to these changes (Moussa et al., 2019). Healthcare leaders are responsible for informing their team members of the change process. They should also inspire the change by communicating to the members how the change process will likely improve the efficiency of care provision.

Leadership Qualities Necessary for ACNPs

ACNPs, as healthcare leaders, will have to not only execute their roles in patient handling and management but also engage other healthcare providers in change management processes. For them to be excellent, they must possess skills and qualities. ACNPs should possess excellent communication skills. Communication skills will enable them to communicate effectively with their subjects and enhance interprofessional collaborations within the healthcare teams (Al-Motlaq, 2018). They should also be dedicated to healthcare excellence. This will enable them to go the extra mile in ensuring that all healthcare structures required for quality, safe, and effective care are in place.

Nurse leaders should also respect other nurses and professionals within the healthcare team. Respect fosters collaboration and ensures healthy interactions within the team. The overall effect is seen in excellent care provision and optimal clinical outcomes. ACNPs must also have good professional socialization skills. These skills will enable them to understand their subjects and know how to better serve them (Mannix et al., 2018). In addition, due to the complexities of clinical cases in the emergency and operation room, ACNPs should exhibit vast knowledge and expertise in handling these complexities as they will be involved in clinical decision-making processes for these patients. They must also have good critical thinking skills to enable them to navigate these challenges. Other qualities that enable ACNPs to excel in their roles include integrity, mentorship, and hard work.

Current Qualities I Possess and Those that I Wish to Develop

Currently, I am dedicated to nursing excellence and have adequate critical thinking skills. I am also hardworking and respect my peers and other professionals within the healthcare team. I continue to learn new skills and approaches in nursing and hope to be better knowledgeable in handling complexities presented in the clinical setting. I, however, have poor socialization skills and often have trouble interacting with other team members. I intend to work on that.

A Plan to Expand the Leadership Toolbox

To attain excellence in my leadership endeavors, I will have to expand my leadership toolbox. Kjellström et al. (2020) describe strategies for understanding leadership and what makes an individual a better leader. Understanding leadership roles, management and leadership development, and personal development make a better leader. Leadership and managerial development involve expanding an individual’s capability to lead and manage. These are elaborate approaches that require an individual to understand their role as leaders. To be a better leader, an individual may require additional training. Therefore, I will have additional training to expand my leadership and management skills to expand my leadership toolbox. I will also work closely with other nurse leaders to learn from them and obtain the prerequisite skills that define better leaders.

In conclusion, leadership roles for nurses challenge them to inspire change within the care organizations they work in. Due to the vastness of nursing roles and the criticality of their roles in healthcare, nurses should step up to embrace these leadership positions. Specialty nursing equips nurses with healthcare leadership skills. ACNPs, for instance, play a role in acute care. Furthermore, nurse leaders should guide other nurses and healthcare teams toward excellent care provision. Notably, to be effective in their roles, they must possess leadership attributes that make them better leaders.

 References

Al-Motlaq, M. (2018). Nurse Managers’ Emotional Intelligence and Effective Leadership: A Review of Current Evidence. The Open Nursing Journal, 12(1), 225-227. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874434601812010225

Giusi, M., Baum, A., Plazzotta, F., Muguerza, P., & Gonzalez, F. (2021). Change Management Strategies: Transforming a Difficult Implementation into a Successful One. IOS Press Books.

Gong, J., Yu, X., Yi, X., Wang, C., & Tuo, X. (2018). Epidemiology of chronic non-communicable diseases and evaluation of life quality in elderly. Aging Medicine, 1(1), 64-66. https://doi.org/10.1002/agm2.12009

Kjellström, S., Stålne, K., & Törnblom, O. (2020). Six ways of understanding leadership development: An exploration of increasing complexity. Leadership, 16(4), 434-460. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742715020926731

Mannix, J., Wilkes, L., & Daly, J. (2018). Attributes of clinical leadership in contemporary nursing: an integrative review. Contemporary Nurse, 3505-3521. https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.2013.3505

Moussa, L., Garcia-Cardenas, V., & Benrimoj, S. (2019). Change Facilitation Strategies Used in the Implementation of Innovations in Healthcare Practice: A Systematic Review. Journal Of Change Management, 19(4), 283-301. https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2019.1602552

Takkush, M. (2022). Hamric and Hanson: Advanced Practice Nursing an Integrative Approach EDITION 6. Academia.edu. Retrieved 24 June 2022, from https://www.academia.edu/41705921/Hamric_and_Hansons_Advanced_Practice_Nursing_An_Integrative_Approach_EDITION_6

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My chosen MSN role is as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Purpose:

Nurses work together in rapidly changing environments and must adapt to keep up with these changes. Understanding the chosen nursing advanced practice role, change theory, and leadership skills fosters cooperative relationships and advances healthcare for all as nurses leading in the healthcare environment.

Leading Through Change

Directions:

Analyze your chosen MSN role. Reflect on the future of nursing and healthcare and how your chosen MSN role, change management, and leadership strategies will address the needs of the future healthcare system.

Evaluate the future vision and goals of your chosen MSN role and relate them to emerging healthcare trends and needs.
Investigate change management strategies you and other nursing advanced practice colleagues should understand to promote appropriate change management and response to the rapidly evolving healthcare system. Appraise leadership qualities necessary for your chosen advanced nursing practice role. Determine qualities you currently possess and those qualities you will need to develop for your chosen role.
Develop a plan to expand your leadership toolbox. What will you do to develop your leadership skills for future needs and challenges?

Your paper must be presented in a single Word document. The paper must be between 3 to 4 pages in length, not including the title and reference list pages. The paper must use proper APA formatting as directed in the APA Publication Manual, 7th edition, including the title page and reference list with properly formatted citations in the body of the paper.

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