Nursing leaders predict top trends for 2000

Nursing Management's Editorial Advisory Board predicts the top 10 trends that will impact nurse leaders in 2000. Use them to lead in the new millennium.

Evaluation of the multifunctional worker role: a stakeholder analysis

Health care organizations are rethinking how care is delivered because of incentives generated by managed care and a competitive marketplace. An evaluation of a work redesign project that involved the creation of redesigned unlicensed caregiver roles is described. The effect of model implementation on patients, multiple categories of caregivers, and physicians was measured using several different approaches to data collection. In this evaluation, caregivers perceived the institutional culture to be both market-driven and hierarchical. The work redesign, along with significant changes in unit configuration and leadership over the same period, significantly reduced job security and satisfaction with supervision. Quality indicators suggested short-term declines in quality during model implementation with higher levels of quality after implementation issues were resolved. Objective measurement of the outcomes of work redesign initiatives is imperative to assure appropriate adjustments and responses to caregiver concerns.

Creating an educational videotape

Staff development and patient education coordinators are challenged to lead efforts to provide resources for patient education. One option to provide cost-effective, quality education is the use of videotapes. In this article, the authors identify six advantages of video instruction and detail the steps to create an educational videotape.

Computer awareness

Computer awareness begins with recognizing the common concerns and possible fears individuals may experience upon their initial encounters with this rapidly expanding technology. Awareness is also dependent upon an individual's specific knowledge of computer hardware (including micro, mini and mainframe computers, and peripheral devices) and applications (such as information processing and information sharing). Increasing your knowledge and skills in these areas can be accomplished through various training resources. With training and experience, your overall acceptance and appreciation of computerization will continue to rise. Soon your skills will also increase, and you can then begin to experience the benefits of rapid communication and information processing.

Employee orientation

What is so important about orientation? Drucker identifies productive work, feedback information and continuous learning as the three prerequisites required to enable the worker to achieve and take responsibility for his or her job. The provision of these activities are primarily tasks and responsibilities of those in management, although the involvement of the employee is crucial. For new employees to become productive, responsible department members, a structured orientation must be provided for them. The structure for your departmental orientation is set once you have developed the statement of purpose, objectives, content, and a method for evaluation. This structure is needed, regardless of the size of your department, the amount of content to be covered, or the length of orientation. Having these components in place facilitates the orientation process and allows for more consistency as new employees are hired.