Organizational foundations and core principles

The mission, vision, and values statements guide healthcare policy and practice within the institution. When planning for change, healthcare leaders ideally base their decisions on their alignment with the mission, vision, and values of the organization. All strategic planning “should be purposeful and proactive,” rather than arbitrary and reactive (Marquis & Huston, , p. 142). Unfortunately, a large number of organizations lose sight of the need for proactive planning and end up reacting to crises or problems after they occur. To stimulate proactive planning, leaders need to engender the type of organizational climate that is conducive to it. This would mean empowering all managers at every level of the institution to forecast potential challenges and participate more fully in the process of aligning organizational practices with organizational values.

For example, the fundamental mission of Dignity Health, parent company to Mercy Hospitals, is “furthering the healing ministry of Jesus, and to providing high-quality, affordable health care to the communities we serve.” More specific mission statements include “delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health services,” “serving and advocating” for the poor and disenfranchised, and “partnering with others in the community to improve the quality of life,” (Dignity Health: Mercy Hospitals, 2018). Actions that become part of the day-to-day operations of the institution should reflect these core missions of the hospital. As it is, the hospital does fulfill these missions in practice. There are programs whereby the hospital does partner with community organizations to promote social justice. Similarly, the hospital provides outreach and advocacy services for the homeless and the destitute. The hospital also fulfills its mission of providing healthcare within the Christian worldview by working with local faith-based organizations with shared mission, vision, and values.

The vision of Dignity Health and Mercy Hospitals is to participate in the creation of a “vibrant, national health care system known for service, chosen for clinical excellence, standing in partnership with patients, employees and physicians to improve the health of all communities served,” (Dignity Health: Mercy Hospitals, 2018). With few discrepancies between word and deed, the only time we cannot meet specific objectives is due more to externalities. The climate of the organization remains committed to fulfilling the mission of creating a globally equitable healthcare system. Affordability remains a cornerstone of the Dignity Health vision, too, which is why the culture we create at the institution promotes compassionate healthcare in daily practice.

Finally, the values of the organization also need to become inculcated into nurse leaders, who impart those ethical frameworks onto their staff. The five main values listed by the organization include dignity, collaboration, justice, stewardship, and excellence. Each of these values must be accompanied by appropriate parallel actions and in the workplace environment.