NR 447 Week 5 Nursing Care Models

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-447: RN Collaborative Healthcare

Prof. Name

Date

Nursing Care Models

There are various nursing care models, each designed to meet different organizational needs within healthcare settings. As healthcare organizations evolve, they must adapt to these models to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Nursing care models are often linked to organizational theories, which play a role in shaping how care is delivered (Finkelman, 2012, p. 101).

Interdisciplinary Care Model

In my nursing practice, the interdisciplinary care model is frequently utilized. In this model, the charge nurse, floor nurses, case management, rehabilitation teams, and dietary departments collaborate closely. Finkelman (2012) explains, “The interdisciplinary or interprofessional practice model is emphasized in the IOM reports on quality improvement by identifying the importance of all health professions meeting the interdisciplinary or interprofessional competency emphasizing the need to work in interprofessional teams ‘to cooperate, collaborate, communicate, and integrate care in teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable'” (2003, p. 4). This approach integrates professionals from various healthcare fields, allowing them to effectively address complex patient care needs and utilize a diverse range of expertise. On my unit, for example, we regularly meet with case management in the morning to discuss patient discharge needs, such as mobility aids or transfer arrangements to skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, or home health services.

Sullivan (2015) emphasizes, “Interprofessional collaboration is based on the premise that when providers and patients communicate and consider each other’s unique perspectives, they can better address the multiple factors that influence the health of individuals, families, and communities.” I firmly agree that no single healthcare provider can manage all aspects of patient care independently. Studies, such as those by Naylor (2011), show that collaboration among healthcare providers enhances patient outcomes and care quality.

Functional Nurse Care Model

The functional care model, by contrast, focuses on completing tasks. According to Finkelman (2012), “The model of functional nursing is a task-oriented approach, focusing on jobs to be done.” This model emerged during World War II, a period when there was a significant demand for nurses to care for wounded soldiers. Personnel were trained to perform specific tasks, such as taking vitals and administering medications. However, the downside of this model is its potential to create inefficiencies in patient care. Clement (2015) highlights that staff working under this model often feel overwhelmed, which can negatively affect patient care.

Marquis and Huston (2009) argue that “Functional nursing may lead to fragmented care and the possibility of overlooking priority needs. Because some workers feel unchallenged and under-stimulated in their roles, functional nursing may not be cost-effective due to the need for many coordinators.” As a result, the functional model can contribute to burnout among healthcare workers and diminish the quality of care provided.

Team Nursing Model

The team nursing model involves collaboration between professional and non-professional staff to provide comprehensive care. According to Clement (2015), “Team nursing is defined as intercollaborative nursing wherein the professional and non-professional work together to provide complete care to the patient.” In this model, the charge nurse plans the patient’s care and delegates tasks to the team, which can lead to improved care quality. Advantages of this model include reduced staff fatigue and call-offs, increased morale, and improved patient satisfaction (Nursing Management, 2010).

However, Nursing Management (2010) notes that a major disadvantage of team nursing is the potential for communication barriers and lack of team effort. When team members are reshuffled, continuity of care may be disrupted, leading to patient dissatisfaction. Cioffi and Ferguson (2009) emphasize that team nursing provides increased supervision for less experienced staff and better learning opportunities for nursing students. Moreover, the presence of educators on the team enhances both patient safety and the quality of care.

Conclusion

In reviewing nursing care models, it becomes clear that each model has a specific purpose and directly impacts patient care and organizational outcomes. While some models emphasize teamwork and collaboration, others focus on task completion, with varying effects on both staff morale and patient satisfaction.

References

Cioffi, J., & Ferguson, L. (2009). Team nursing in acute care settings: Nurses’ experiences. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26775315_Team_nursing_in_acute_care_settings_Nurses’_experiences

Clement, I. (2015). Management of nursing services and education. India: Elsevier Health Sciences APAC.

Finkelman, A. (2012). Leadership and management: Core competencies for quality care (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2009). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

NR 447 Week 5 Nursing Care Models

Naylor, M. (2011, July). Viewpoint: Interprofessional collaboration and the future of health care. American Nurse Today. Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/viewpointinterprofessional-collaboration-and-the-future-of-health-care/

Nursing Management. (2010). Team vs. primary nursing. Retrieved from http://teamnursing.net/2010/10/15/nursing-management-team-vsprimary/

Sullivan, M., Kiovsky, R., Mason, D., Hill, C., & Dukes, C. (2015, March). Interprofessional collaboration and education. AJN The American Journal of Nursing. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Fulltext/2015/03000/Interprofessional_Collaboration_and_Education.26.aspx