SMART Goals in Collaborative Healthcare

Posted: October 17th, 2013

SMART Goals in Collaborative Healthcare

Name:

Chamberlain School of Nursing

Instructor:

NR 447 Collaborative Health Care

SMART Goals in Collaborative Healthcare

Leadership development is one of the most fundamental concepts in nursing practice. Nursing management should be more than issuing orders and ensuring that things are done in the right way. Leadership development in nursing ensures that nurses develop leadership qualities, which include innovativeness, flexibility, dynamism, the ability to inspire others and challenge them to think beyond the norms, and the ability to challenge the status quo and dare to be different. Organizational planning in nursing is just as important. It ensures that once the people develop their plan of action, they follow it through using established practices and guidelines, thereby creating a system of order and avoiding chaos. I chose these two goals because I believe that every nurse needs them. I do not have to be in a senior position for me to be a leader, nor do I need to be in a managerial position for me to be able to undertake organizational planning. I believe that achieving these two goals will make me a better nurse.

My leadership goal will involve working with the staff on the maternity floor. I aim to develop a plan that will help to improve the communication between the management and the maternity staff. I plan to achieve this goal by involving the staff in every step of the way. This will not only ensure that I get the relevant and necessary feedback needed to make the changes, but it will also ensure that I get the cooperation of the nurses.

The article, “The Importance of Leadership in the Development of an Integrated Team” by Sharon Outhwaite, is essential in understanding the concept of leadership, as it discusses the importance of leadership in teams. The article is especially crucial to the fulfillment of my goal because it involves working with teams. The article notes the importance of collaboration among all the people involved, in ensuring that they accomplish the objectives they have set, and in ensuring a successful change process. It also notes the importance of the leader in adopting transformational skills, which will lead to better people management. The website (http://www.nursingtimes.net/leading-change-2-planning/5040682.article) shows the vital role that nurses play in leadership. The web article discusses how the nurses are involved in the change process within a health institution. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between people in different sectors and departments of the institutions in ensuring the change.

The expert is a qualified midwife who has undertaken a nursing and midwifery training. She has worked for a long time in midwifery and has many years. She notes the importance of teamwork, especially in a busy environment. Everyone has to know what his or her role is, and this involves active and effective communication at all levels. Communication is essential because people have different qualifications, and they have different working methods. Good communication ensures proper teamwork among the staff.

My organizational planning goal is to ensure that I receive the Baby Friendly Health Initiative Accreditation. It involves working with the hospital management and staff to ensure that they undertake a training course, which will equip them with the skills they need. They will receive the necessary training from a breastfeeding coordinator. Undergoing the training is an initial step towards achieving accreditation, which I hope will happen by 2014.

The article, “Promoting Evidence-Based Practice: An Organizational Approach” by Kate Gerrish and Jane Clayton highlights the importance of using evidence based research when implementing changes in the health institution. It notes that nurses often lack the necessary resources, time, and faced lack of support from management, hence the hindrances they encountered when implementing change. The article is crucial in the accomplishment of my goal. My goal involves working with the hospital management, as well as other workers. The article highlights the importance of managerial support, and the need of using different strategies in accomplishing and implementing the necessary changes. The website, http://www.nursingtimes.net/leading-change-2-planning/5040682.article, is essential for organizational planning. It highlights the importance of planning in achieving the desired goals, noting that plans demonstrate commitment, thereby increasing the seriousness of all the people involved in implementing the changes. The people implementing the changes need to have a clear understanding of the necessary changes. They have to communicate a clear message to all the people who will be involved in the change process. They need to set clear objectives. They should be ready for resistance since some people might not be willing to continue with the plans.

The expert is a lead nurse who has worked in various capacities and has worked in a managerial position for many years. She has received training as a nurse, and has experience working in different areas in different health institutions. She highlights the importance of having practical nurse experience, and not just being educated on the principles of nursing. This is important in the accomplishment of my goals. My goal involves practical training that will target different levels and different departments. It is essential to highlight to all the people involved why they need to undertake the program.

Teamwork and cooperation are important in everything. They enhance work effectiveness and increase productivity. They are enhanced by effective communication, which lessens misunderstanding, and ensures that everyone understands his or her role. It is not easy to introduce changes, and one can meet resistance among some members. It is necessary to involve all the people who will be involved with the changes. This will enhance cooperation, and will ensure successful changes. Nurses have a crucial role to play at all levels. It is crucial for nurses to have the right management training, but it is especially critical that they understand their role as leaders.

References:

Gerrish, K., & Clayton, J. (2004). Promoting evidence-based practice: An organizational approach. Journal of Nursing Management 12, (2), 114-123

Kerridge, J. (2012). Leading change: Planning. Retrieved from http://www.nursingtimes.net/leading-change-2-planning/5040682.article

Outhwaite, S. (2003). The importance of leadership in the development of an integrated team. Journal of Nursing Management 11, (6), 371-376