NR 351 Week 7 Discussion

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-351: Transitions in Professional Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

Leadership through Systems-Based Practice in Nursing

Discussion leaders play a pivotal role in utilizing systems-based practice to empower other nurses within the healthcare environment. Systems-based practice, as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2015), is the “provision of accessible, continuous, and coordinated person-centered care for persons living with multiple chronic conditions (PLWMCC) through a system that incorporates a team approach, health information technology, and shared decision making” (Chamberlain College of Nursing, 2020). In my role as a nurse leader, I aim to integrate these principles of systems-based practice to foster holistic patient care across the healthcare continuum.

One of the fundamental aspects of systems-based practice is its emphasis on taking into account the entire health of a patient, beyond the scope of a specific unit. This approach is grounded in several core nursing competencies, including patient-centered care, teamwork, collaboration, informatics, technology, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement (Chamberlain College of Nursing, 2020). By incorporating these competencies into my leadership, I can enhance patient outcomes and contribute to the development of an effective healthcare system. I intend to leverage these competencies to promote better discharge planning, reduce hospital readmissions, and ensure a seamless patient experience throughout the care process.

Opportunities for Leadership in Systems-Based Practice

In my current clinical setting, which is an inpatient cardiac unit, I recognize numerous opportunities to grow as a leader through systems-based practice. One key opportunity lies within the framework of shared governance, a model that encourages collaborative decision-making between bedside nurses and nurse leaders. According to McKnight and Moore (2020), shared governance allows nurses at all levels to have a voice in shaping clinical practice, fostering both personal and professional growth. By participating in a shared governance group, I can enhance my leadership abilities while empowering other nurses to contribute to care improvement initiatives. This collaboration ensures that decisions made at the bedside align with organizational goals and patient care standards.

Addressing Discharge Planning and Readmissions

A prevalent issue in my unit is the frequent return of patients shortly after discharge, often due to non-adherence to discharge instructions. Discharge teaching tends to be rushed, with both patients and staff eager to transition to the next phase of care. This challenge requires a systems-based approach to effectively address. I will apply my leadership skills to encourage my fellow nurses to dedicate more time to comprehensive discharge teaching, ensuring patients fully understand their care plan before leaving the hospital. By doing so, we can prevent unnecessary readmissions and improve long-term patient outcomes. I believe that enhancing discharge planning aligns with the principles of systems-based practice, as it emphasizes coordinated, person-centered care that extends beyond the hospital setting.

References

Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2020). NR351 Transitions in Professional Nursing: Week 7 Lesson. Downers Grove, IL: Online Publication.

McKnight, H., & Moore, S. (2020). Nursing shared governance. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549862/