Healthcare Describe How You Achieved

Healthcare

Describe how You Achieved Your Individual Learning Objectives

I have achieved the individual learning objectives that I established for week one through a variety of different means. Most importantly, I know have a strong handle of the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Nursing Officer, as well as the tasks required in order to succeed as a Non-Clinical Manager. Additionally, I have a firm grasp of my qualifications for both positions within the healthcare industry, and am also confident that I am up to the task of performing effectively in either environment.

The main individual learning objective that I achieved is that I now have a better handle on the roles and functions of both positions as they relate to nursing and patient duties. Through interviewing Stephanie Hanratty, the nursing manager from one of the medical surgical units, I was exposed to the myriad tasks of the chief nursing officer and the qualities needed to successfully perform at the position. For example, I now realize that the nursing manager is someone who also exhibits the general qualities of a strong leader. From my interview, Stephanie disclosed a great deal of useful information; particularly informative anecdotes included the importance of accepting the many disparate responsibilities that accompany the job. Stephanie explained how it is important that the chief nursing officer keep their nurses happy, and indeed from my exposure to the surgical unit, it appeared as though she was effective in this regard.

In addition to keeping nurses happy, there are administrative responsibilities that accompany the role of chief nursing officer; these essential qualities include the ability to serve as facilitator of growth (both medically and interpersonally) for one's nurses, the need to monitor resources and maintain the nursing budget, and the responsibility for communicating administrative policies with the nursing staff. It is clear to me that the position of chief nursing officer is one that must necessarily combine high-level nursing technique with an ability to perform administrative responsibilities as well.

I am glad that I have been exposed to the responsibilities of the non-clinical manager, and my exposure to the position really clarified the similarities and differences between the two positions. Specifically, both positions involve effective administrative responsibilities, including the need to be aware of the specific strengths and weaknesses of hospital systems and care structures. The literature states that nurse managers are often not as well-qualified with regard to managing business activities and are better suited to clinical procedures (Kleinman, 2003), and it was clear that the non-clinical manager was more effective in this area. However, in my experience non-clinical managers occupy a less stressful position in that they are not tasked with the responsibility of actually performing medical treatment. However, both positions require one to be able to think in an autocratic manner, and both the chief nursing officer and the non-clinical manager have the same ultimate mission of enforcing quality care and patient safety.