4.2 Discussion: Managing Resources

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The management of resources is one of the most critical, yet complex and time-consuming activities that nurse managers are challenged to execute in their role.  Budgets detail how time, money, supplies, and people should be acquired and used to support planned services.  The demand for patient safety, quality care, acceptable reimbursement, technological advancement, and adequate staffing ratios requires that managers budget and schedule staff as accurately and efficiently as possible.

You will learn about the budget process and staffing considerations.  Your discussion will link the decisions made when managing these resources to the cost, safety, and quality of services provided.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

  • Discuss the management of personnel and financial resources and its relevance to the quality, safety, and cost of healthcare.
  • Correlate successful approaches for coaching, mentoring, and performance appraisals to optimal patient outcomes.

Resources

  • Textbook: Leading and Managing in Nursing

Instructions

  1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
  2. In your textbook Leading and Managing in Nursing, read:
    1. Chapter 20, “Managing Costs and Budgets”
    2. Chapter 13, “Staffing and Scheduling”
    3. Chapter 21, “Selecting, Developing, and Evaluating Staff”
  3. Prepare to discuss the following prompts:
    1. Describe specific ways that nurses impact an organizational budget.
    2. Describe the variables that managers consider when creating a staffing plan.
    3. Discuss realistic strategies to address inadequate staffing numbers on a patient care unit.
    4. Why is it important for nurses to receive effective feedback through methods such as proper coaching, staff development opportunities, and accurate performance evaluations?  What impact do these have on nurse satisfaction and patient outcomes?
  4. Find at least two current scholarly sources to support your explanations and insights. OCLS resources are preferred sources and can be accessed through . Wikipedia is not permitted, as it is not a peer-reviewed, scholarly source.
  5. Whether written or spoken, interactions are expected to:
    1. clearly and thoroughly address the prompt with meaningful information that shows critical thinking.
    2. introduce your own ideas and questions to add greater depth to the discussion, rather than restating what your classmates have shared. (Include much more than Great post, or I agree.)
    3. refer to relevant course concepts as you discuss your learning together.
    4. develop insightful conversation by directly addressing your classmates’ ideas.
    5. demonstrate professionalism.
  6. Based on your educational setting, complete tasks in the instructions below.