Introducing Staff to New Technology System
With the implementation of new software systems or new methods of performing tasks, there is often some level of resistance. Properly introducing the new idea, its feasibility and purpose is a necessary aspect of getting one’s current staff onboard and in cooperation with the plan. They need to understand the importance of system implementation and its implication on their daily performance of patient care. Nursing is an ever-evolving profession, one with many facets of care. Nurses must constantly adapt to changes in their daily working habits. A nature of commitment to new ways of working is vital to the delivery of safe and efficient healthcare. However, emotions can inhibit the way change is accepted. “Implementing sustainable and meaningful change means supporting each individual to find value in new ways of working” (Bowers, 2011, para. 1). Unexpected change lends itself to uncertainty, and fear of the unknown. Therefore, being able to identify reasons for resistance, and working to quell these levels of resistance are important in a constructive manner, this helps with progression.
To empower the nursing staff about changes that are paramount to the success of patient care, they need to be informed about the prospective benefits of the implementation. It is difficult for one to be committed to a change when the goals of the new system has not been disclosed. Bowers (2011), in his article about managing change by
Training is used to build knowledge and skills after employees have made the personal decision to support the change.
According to Porter-O’Grady, 2016 et al p 324, our healthcare systems today are at the center of what is considered major change. Much of the change today is directly related to the foundational principles, concepts and associated with complexity in systems and relationships, and an understanding by nurse leader and follower; of what it takes to make meaningful change. Nurse Leaders, registered nurses, advance practice nurses, and other followers, at every level of our organizations must be increasingly aware of meaningful and sustainable changes that improves our healthcare systems (Porter-O’Grady, 2016 et al p 324).
These changes are then reinforced to employees by the Charge Nurses in Morning Huddles and in special called Safety Huddles throughout the week. While management is very open to change, implementation of the changes must be carried out by the actual hands-on personnel, and this often times leads to fear of the unknown. As Yoder-Wise (2015) states, “All changes, whether perceived as positive or negative, large-scale or simply, are scary and generate fear” (p. 307). In the short time I have worked in the ED, I have seen both support and resistance among co-workers regarding change processes. While some embrace change, others resist, and are set in their ways viewing change as inconvenient and an addition of time-consuming steps to an already stressful environment. Most whom I work with, when presented with the facts and evidence behind the change, view it positively and have no problem implementing it.
Nurses are moving from a traditional method of performing task into the technological era. As informatics nurses recognize the need to move from the traditional to a progressive approach. There are many theorist that propose change; however, Kurt Lewin the father of psychology, introduces the theory concepts, emphasizes that the group differ from the sum of its parts. The change theory presents the three-stage model of change. The Lewins model (2011) consist of the unfreezing-change-refreeze theory. The purpose of this discussion is to examine the theories and conceptual frameworks applicable to nursing informatics, view and summarize the video, and Evaluate Applications of Theories or Conceptual Frameworks to Nursing Informatics Initiative.
“ The ADKAR model of change includes Awareness of the need for change, the Desire to support the change campaign, Knowledge of how to make this successful, the Ability to implement new strategies, Reinforcement of change implementation, and periodic re-evaluation (Hait,2006). These four elements promote evidenced- based practice change and the commitment from nurses to participate in professional activities.”(Robert & Pape, 2011, p. 43) A APRN’s we will have to be agents of change to provide the best care for our patients. When we identify a issue or concern we must have the ability to address it
Because the literature supports improved patient safety and outcomes and improved nurse satisfaction from having adequate nurse staffing and improved patient-to-nurse
Implementing a change in practice within these environments can produce anxiety or fear of failure in nurses, leading to a resistance to change. Several studies (Bozak, 2003; Lehman, 2008; Spetz, Burgess & Phibbs, 2012) expounded the need for a concise plan and clear communication between nurses and management when implementing a change of this nature. The use of Lewin’s Change Management theory can support nurses through the transitions and identify areas of strengths and resistances prior to implementing change. Without a framework for guidance, it can be difficult to keep on track.
Change is a hard concept for most, but change in the hospital setting can be beneficial for both staff and patients. According to Mclean (2011), “Every change begins with an ending” (p.79). How people respond to change can make the process easy or hard depending on how the change is presented.
Implementing a change project is a challenging step of the Capstone Change Project. This paper focuses on steps that must be taken to implement a change, strategies to ensure the success, involved stakeholders and their roles, educational requirements, safety issues, ethical considerations, and external or internal regulations’ effects on the process. It also include the change theory, nursing theory, and evidence based practice influences on the implementation process.
Nurses work in systems that are complex, rapidly changing, and beleaguered with financial and workforce pressures. One response to these challenges is to find alternative ways to make an insufficient or detrimental system work for the nurse to get the job done and to achieve the desired patient outcome. While perhaps well intention-ed to produce the desired result, workarounds
I agree with you the nurse that is seeking to implement a change must be able to reach across to all stakeholders. These stakeholders come from different walks of life and the challenge here will be knowing their educational background in order to deliver a message that is not intricate to grasp. You have to also remember that people remember only 10 percent what they read, but they remember 40 percent what they hear and see. Thank you for you thoughts.
A positive force for change centers on the nurse’s strong desire to change current practices. The combination of the turnover rate, low morale, and higher percentage of new nurses, is the driving
Being a registered nurse affords one the option of working in many diverse healthcare settings. In any practice setting the climate of health care change is evident. There are diverse entities involved in the implementation and recommendation of these practice changes. These are led by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the Institute of Medicine (IOM), nursing campaign for action initiatives, as well as individual state-based action coalitions. Nurses need to be prepared and cognizant of the transformations occurring in health care settings as well as the plans that put them at the forefront of the future.
The nursing staff will have the most important role in this process change. The nurses are the ones who see the patients first. The nurses will need to be onboard and understand that this process change will help us give our patients the knowledge they need as well as increasing their satisfaction. Each nurse will be responsible for maintaining the educational materials while making sure the information is accessible to our patients. An important part of this process change is to make sure the staff is onboard and the patients are receiving the information. The nurses will be able to influence and hold each other accountable for this process change. The nursing staff has the best interest of the patients and want to provide the best care they can. The nurses have the power to either bring this project along or they can hinder this
Ongoing development and changes in healthcare delivery enable nurses to maintain standards of nursing and develop their competence and performance. Through this the patients well-being is maintained, respecting them through accessing up to date knowledge and skills that are essential in an ever changing environment.