Planning for Change
Maria Castillo is a newly appointed nurse manager on a medical-surgical unit in a large university-affiliated medical centre. She had been a staff nurse and a charge nurse at a different facility, and this is her first management role. Maria has just completed her master’s degree in nursing administration and is eager to apply her knowledge. After a few months in her role, she has noted that the morale and productivity of the unit seem very low. In an effort to identify the root of the problem, she has been meeting with staff members to discuss their perceptions of unit functioning and to identify sources of dissatisfaction on the unit. She believes that one of the key factors contributing to moral issues is the limited advancement opportunity. There are a few older nurses who share the charge nurse roles; there is little input into unit governance by staff, and there is minimal involvement in committees or improvement processes. She also notes that there seems to be a conflict between the older and newer staff members. Staff members report that this is how the unit has functioned for as long as everyone can remember. Maria has a number of ideas for change and will utilize her knowledge of theory in implementing change. 1. What is at least three issues that Maria has identified that she must consider in planning for change 2. For each issue, what is an appropriate theory to guide or support her actions? 3. What steps should Maria take to initiate change, and how will the theories that you selected support her actions? 4. Will the plan suggested being successful? Why or why not?
