As nurses, we are held accountable and responsible for making complex decisions that are consistent with safe, competent, compassionate and ethical nursing practice. We are also faced with diverse and challenging issues that can impact the delivery of patient care. This three-part series will help you to identify, communicate and resolve complex nursing practice issues that you may experience within your nursing career.
Published
Damion Jenkins, MSN, RN
23 Articles; 168 Posts
Since nurses are expected to be self-regulated professionals, we are legally and ethically obligated to identify and make a valid attempt to resolve all practice issues as they arise as a means to minimize potential negative impacts they may have on patients, our fellow colleagues, and daily operations. In part two of this three-part series, we will focus on how to identify resources and take action to improve practice issues in our work settings.
Let’s take a look at two strategies we can implement to gain a better understanding of what’s going on, so we can find the best way to resolve practice issues:
Identify Resources
Please Note: If you have not read part one of this series, please do so before continuing. For those of you who have, let’s pick up where we left off and begin to identify our resources that can help us to tackle practice issues. Since we previously discussed identifying practice issues, the next step is to seek out resources that could be helpful as we move through the problem-solving process. Many helpful resources can be internal or external to your organization, and any that has the potential to be of assistance should be considered.
Here are examples of resources that you may want to consider for practice improvement:
Although this is not a complete list of possible resources you may rely on to assist in resolving practice issues, they are some of the best options that offer a great deal of support and guidance.
Take Action
After you have identified the necessary resources to use in improving practice issues, a planned, well thought out approach is essential to finding resolve. When forming an action plan, the following steps should be considered:
The actions you take will depend on the practice issue you are facing, the level of support you gain from your team, and the resources you have available to you. Whatever action you choose, it is important to let your manager know so that they are aware and can provide support if required.
When discussing a practice issue with your supervisor, you should consider doing the following:
Identify what you could do to support the resolution of the practice issue(s). It is important to note that nursing supervisors, management and leadership are also busy problem solving their own practice issues, and therefore will need you to play an active role in helping them to address the issues.
Be sure to follow up on any meetings with a written letter or email that stresses the importance of the finding solution to the practice issue(s). Be sure to ask for a reasonable date in which you can expect to hear back from the supervisors, managers and nursing leadership regarding moving forward with an action plan.
Much like most of what we do in nursing practice, approaching nursing supervisors, managers and leadership requires a great deal of tact and professionalism. We don’t always get this right at first, but I’ve found from experience that if you are authentic, genuine and have good intentions when you are approaching management with practice issues, a strong leader will embrace your efforts to create positive change and they will help you to find solution to the practice issue in the best way they can.
So far we have discussed four steps in resolving practice issues within our nursing practice:
Be sure to stay tuned for part three - where we will discuss the final two strategies in resolving practice issues for nursing success!
Best,
Damion