THE CASE STUDY APPROACH AND PROBLEM SCOPING Assignment Overview

In this Module 4 Case Assignment you will build upon the Problem Scoping analysis you prepared in your Module 3 SLP assignment by: Developing three alternative solutions that address the problem definition and criteria that you identified. Comparing the pros and cons of those three alternatives. Selecting the best alternative. Developing a logical argument to support your choice.

You will apply these same analytic skills throughout your health sciences program, and they will serve you very well in your professional life. Case Assignment

Use the Evaluate Alternative Solutions Template to complete your Case Assignment.

Note: Developing alternative solutions is essentially a brainstorming process. What can you do to solve the problem? That is an alternative. Proposed alternatives should be consistent with the problem(s) that you identified in your Module 3 SLP assignment.

Developing a list of good alternatives involves creativity and avoiding preconceived attitudes (knee-jerk solutions) and assumptions. Guidelines for alternative development include: DON’T SETTLE FOR YOUR FIRST IDEA! Good designers try to generate as many possible solutions as they can before choosing one that they feel is the best. This creative process of developing ideas is called ideation. Methods of ideation include:

  Examine existing solutions Conduct brainstorming sessions. Remember the first rule of brainstorming – every idea is a viable one. Develop as many alternatives as possible. When you are done, try to categorize your alternatives. Then develop three alternatives. Sketching and doodling to create pictures of possible solutions. Assignment Expectations

This assignment needs to be completed in paragraph format using full sentences. Insert the decision table you made into your Word document. Use this Insert Table file demonstrating techniques to Insert Tables into Word Documents.

Submit to your Case drop box by the module due date.

Critiquing a Change Effort

As a nurse leader, you need to have the skills and knowledge to collaborate and communicate with those who plan for and manage change. This capacity is valuable in any health care setting and for many different types of change. Furthermore, it is essential to be able to evaluate a change effort and determine if it is promoting improved outcomes and making a positive difference within the department or unit, or for the organization as a whole.

To prepare:Review Chapters 7 and 8 in the course text. Focus on the strategies for planning and implementing change in an organization, as well as the roles of nurses, managers, and other health care professionals throughout this process.Reflect on a specific change that has recently occurred in your organization or one in which you have worked previously. What was the catalyst or purpose of the change?How did the change affect your job and responsibilities?Consider the results of the change and whether or not the intended outcomes have been achieved.Was the change managed skillfully? Why or why not? How might the process have been improved?

Post a summary of a specific change within an organization and describe the impact of this change on your role and responsibilities. Explain the rationale for the change, and whether or not the intended outcomes have been met. Assess the management of the change, and propose suggestions for how the process could have been improved.

Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2015). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.Review Chapter 7, “Strategic and Operational Planning”Chapter 8, “Planned Change”

 This chapter explores methods for facilitating change and the theoretical underpinnings of implementing effective changeMcAlearney, A., Terris, D., Hardacre, J., Spurgeon, P. Brown, C.,  Baumgart, A.,  Nyström, M. (2014). Organizational coherence in health care organizations: Conceptual guidance to facilitate quality improvement and organizational change. Quality Management in Health Care, 23(4), 254–267 doi: 10.1097/QMH.0b013e31828bc37d

An international group of investigators explored the issues of organizational culture and Quality Improvement (QI) in different health care contexts and settings. The aim of the research was to examine if a core set of organizational cultural attributes are associated with successful QI systems.Mitchell, G. (2013). Selecting the best theory to implement planned change. Nursing Management – UK, 20(1), 32–37. doi: 10.7748/nm2013.04.20.1.32.e1013

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Shirey, M. R. (2013). Lewin’s Theory of Planned Change as a strategic resource. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 43(2), 69–72. doi:10.1097/NNA.0b013e31827f20a9

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Select one area (either research or education), select a nursing theory and then apply the selected nursing theory to the area.  For example, how could theory be used to select a research topic?  How nursing theory would be used within the classroom or clinical setting?  Be sure to provide an example that demonstrates the application to either research or education.  Don’t forget to include a scholarly reference.

Nursing Leadership Interview:

 You will select and interview (in person, face to face) a nursing leader relevant to the designated specialty role of choice (e.g. Nursing Director, Nursing Professor, Nurse Entrepreneur, etc.) that would hire a BSN prepared nurse. Both the  assignment-required questions, as well as critically developed questions of your own creation will be incorporated. Audio-record the interview so that you may progress through the interview in a timely manner and actively participate in the discussion (this is not possible if you are trying to write the conversation down as it occurs). You will need to obtain written permission from this leader (prior to the interview) that the interview may be audio-recorded for your use in writing the interview paper. See interview consent form in Unit 3. The interview should last approximately 30 minutes. 

The paper will begin with a brief introduction of the leader being interviewed and will proceed to the questions asked and answers received. The paper will need to conclude with a summative evaluation of the interview process. This information will address such elements as your critical analysis and evaluation of the interview process, information about your current personal professional status and resultant plans for possible professional mentorship within the selected organization. This 2-3 page paper will be written in 6th edition APA format including references. Review how to cite personal communications using APA format. The paper will need to be submitted through the course drop box by the due date.

Leadership Interview Assignment Guide

Present an introduction to the interview conducted, including a brief biography of the interviewee and the organization represented. Explain why this individual was chosen for the interview in light of your selected nursing specialty role.

A Learning Conversation (Level Heading): State each question you posed along with the interviewee’s responses. The questions should include (but NOT be limited to) each topical area delineated below:

a) Determine from the interviewee the mission/vision and goals of the organization

b) Determine what expectations they have for a BSN prepared nurse in your specialty in terms of meeting the organization’s mission

c) Determine what it takes to succeed in the organization

d) Describe what actions the interviewee recommends you take to establish yourself in the profession at the BSN level, specifically as related to your chosen nurse specialty role.

In addition, you are to develop a minimum of 3 additional, relevant questions that serve to further your understanding of critical elements as related to successful specialty role transition within the specific organization.

The conversation should be well organized in terms of categories of questions sharing similar focus and should be presented in such a way as to be helpful to other individuals attempting to transition into new specialty nursing roles within similar types of organizations.

Note: This is learning interview and is NOT a “job interview”, as you are a self-invited guest in interviewing this organizational leader. Questions about such items as salary, benefits, etc. are not appropriate.

Summary (Level Heading): Summarize the key points of the conversation as they relate to your chosen nursing specialty role and successful transition to such a role within the selected organization.

Reflection and Follow-Up: (Level Heading) This section will address such elements as your critical analysis and evaluation of the interview process including (but not limited to) what you would do differently upon reflection, information about your current personal professional status (where you are now in your career) and resultant plans (post interview) for professional mentorship within the selected organization as related to your chosen specialty role and career. 

AACN BSN Essential VIII clearly calls for BSN graduates to appreciate nursing history and its impact on today’s professional nursing practice. As you consider your future professional nursing practice, tell us how you will share stories and lessons from nursing history with your nursing colleagues; and how lessons from nursing history will impact your own future nursing practice.