Select an issue from the following list: workplace violence, workplace injury, unit restructuring, floating, nurse turnover, nurse staffing ratios, or use of contract employees (i.e., registry and travel nurses).In a 1,000-1,250-word paper, discuss the following:
1. Describe the issue you selected. Provide data to support how this issue impacts the quality of care in the setting in which it occurs.
2. Using research evidence for support, present one possible solution that could be implemented to address the issue. In your discussion, be sure to include financial considerations as they relate to the implementation of the solution.
3. Describe a leadership style that would best address the issue.
4. Discuss how this leadership style compares to your personal leadership style.
5. Compare two different leadership theories that could be applied to the resolution of the issue. Explain how each theory would be effective in addressing the issue.
6. Discuss the nurse’s role within an interdisciplinary team in promoting patient quality and safety while fostering professionalism to address this issue.You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Addressing Nurse Staffing Ratios in Healthcare Settings
Introduction
Nurse staffing ratios have emerged as a critical issue in healthcare settings, impacting the quality of care provided to patients. In this paper, we will delve into the implications of nurse staffing ratios on patient care, propose a solution to address this issue, explore an effective leadership style, compare leadership theories, and discuss the nurse’s role within an interdisciplinary team to promote patient quality and safety while addressing nurse staffing ratios.
1. Issue Description and Impact on Quality of Care
Nurse staffing ratios refer to the number of nurses assigned to care for a specific number of patients. Research indicates that inadequate nurse staffing ratios can lead to increased patient mortality rates, higher rates of medical errors, and decreased overall quality of care. A study by Aiken et al. (2014) found that each additional patient per nurse was associated with a 7% increase in the likelihood of surgical patients dying within 30 days of admission.
2. Proposed Solution and Financial Considerations
One possible solution to address nurse staffing ratios is hiring additional qualified nursing staff to ensure optimal patient care. While increasing staffing levels may incur additional costs for healthcare facilities, research suggests that investing in adequate nurse staffing can result in long-term financial benefits. Studies have shown that proper nurse staffing is linked to reduced patient readmission rates, shorter hospital stays, and lower healthcare costs overall.
3. Effective Leadership Style
A transformational leadership style is best suited to address the issue of nurse staffing ratios. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their teams to achieve excellence and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. By empowering nurses, soliciting their input, and advocating for adequate staffing levels, transformational leaders can drive positive change in nurse-patient ratios.
4. Personal Leadership Style Comparison
In comparison to a transformational leadership style, my personal leadership style leans towards a democratic approach. While I value collaboration and team input, I also prioritize consensus-building and decision-making through group discussions. However, in the context of addressing nurse staffing ratios, I recognize the need for a more transformative leadership style to drive significant organizational change.
5. Comparison of Leadership Theories
Two leadership theories that could be applied to resolving nurse staffing ratios are situational leadership and servant leadership. Situational leadership posits that effective leadership adapts to the needs of the situation and the readiness of team members. Servant leadership emphasizes empathy, ethical decision-making, and serving the needs of others. Both theories can be effective in addressing nurse staffing ratios by tailoring leadership approaches to the specific challenges faced by nursing teams.
6. Nurse’s Role in Interdisciplinary Teams
Nurses play a vital role within interdisciplinary teams in promoting patient quality and safety while addressing nurse staffing ratios. By effectively communicating with other healthcare professionals, advocating for appropriate staffing levels, and collaborating on patient care plans, nurses can enhance care coordination, prevent medical errors, and improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing nurse staffing ratios is paramount to ensuring high-quality patient care in healthcare settings. By implementing solutions such as hiring additional nursing staff, adopting a transformational leadership style, and leveraging interdisciplinary teamwork, healthcare organizations can mitigate the negative impacts of inadequate nurse staffing ratios on patient outcomes. Through collaborative efforts and effective leadership, nurses can champion positive changes that enhance patient quality and safety within healthcare environments.
