Developing a Shared Vision

Developing a Shared Vision

HLT-362V

Leadership and Vocation

There are many challenges that health care providers face today that put a tremendous burden on the health care system. The issues that have been chosen to be discussed and answered proposed to are Staff shortages of physicians, nurses, allied health providers and ancillary services; these shortages are due to many indication poor job satisfaction which results in high turnover rates. Thus these challenges will be addressed in order to provide relief and more support to the healthcare systems. It will not be long before dire consequences arise due to the shortage in staff in the healthcare arena to emerge.

These issues of staff shortages and high turnover rates due to poor job satisfaction may be changed within the system which is in the management’s control. As I am informing you the staff of these issues so you understand the changes that are coming to address them. Such shortages put so much stress and strain on the department and the staff that we currently have that it may sacrifice quality service we are providing to our patients. This is what the changes are for – so quality is not sacrificed at the expense of the employees. In turn affects the employees because of overwork, multiple shifts to be covered (not enough staff to begin with), high patient to nurse ratio (and to support staff) which may increase burnout. These are detrimental to the care of our patients and success of our facility. Many facilities including our own department should start preparations and be prepared as possible as they may be an even greater shortage by the year 2020. It is predicated that there will be short of 46,000 surgeons, 45,000 primary care specialist and 34,000 medical specialists by that year. With our current shortage and an ever increasing aging population who become admitted it is no surprise that the current work force suffers.

I invite everyone to come forward with ideas on quality improvements that we are able to make within our department. We all may and able to collaborate on these issue to resolve effectively. Thus, teamwork – together these issues may be handled appropriately while reducing the effects that these issue place on the department, staff and even our patients. As a team any obstacle, issue or barrier is possible to overcome. With effective and open communication, collaborative efforts from all team members of the different medical disciplines these conditions and situation is possible to come to an effective solution for all our team members. The proposal is to recruit, retain and encourage our staff and department to grow. With this in mind, the focus of the department is provide for a better work environment conducive to our employees who in turn will provide outstanding and excellent service to our patients and their families. Thus it is encouraged for any employee with ideas on quality improvements or improvements of any kind to step forward or provide recommendations to do so. Much of the job dissatisfaction is due the complaint of being overworked. This is a fact with admissions increasing in number over the years while the number of staff has not changed in relation to the number of patients. Thus, the feeling of being overworked with the pay not matching the work has led to many staff either transferring out or leaving altogether. Thus the turnover rates are high because there few to no incentives for the extra work that is involved.

There is a negative impact that is due to the shortage of staff that has led to poor job satisfaction. This leads to a bad impact on the facility itself. The few staff that is still there are being asked to do more work for more hours due to insufficient staff which has led to bad service to the patient, high levels of fatigue for the staff, increasing numbers of injuries for the staff. This also leads to work injuries and staff calling out which only intensifies the shortage. Thus, the health care workers over time become patients themselves. Most of these may be resolved but are not, most feel they are no appreciated and working in an unhospitable environment. Thus, most leave to other friendlier and more safe facilities where are more well received and treated better.

There are many techniques that assist in increasing work fulfilment within the unit. Improving clear communication also helps improve work conditions. This means improved cooperation, confidence and inspiration for employees at all levels of the hospital. This steadies the workforce and keeps them driven. This lead to improved collaboration for the benefit of the patients. Thus as the workplace improves so does the quality of service the staff provide. Thus being a steward will come with an easier flow.

References

eldman, H. R. (2003). The nursing shortage : strategies for recruitment and retention in clinical practice and education. New York : Springer Pub., [2003].

Adeleke, O., & Naser, D. P. (2014). Nursing shortage and its resolution. Phoenix, Arizona : Grand Canyon University, 2014.

DeKeyser Ganz, F., & Toren, O. (2014). Israeli nurse practice environment characteristics, retention, and job satisfaction. Israel Journal Of Health Policy Research, doi:10.1186/2045-4015-3-7