421 DISCUSSION 1
Decision-making is one of the innermost and core nursing functions. It is a complex, and cognitive process that requires nurses to make decisions regarding patient care to ensure that quality and patient safety is maintained. Marquis & Huston (2017) stated that decision-making requires insight, intuition, empathy, and willingness to be effective in decision-making and problem-solving. Decision-making arises from the existence of conflicts and problems, challenges, change, and emergency; hence, it is one factor considered in the deployment of nurse managers. Effective decision-making requires nurses, charge nurses, or nurse managers and leaders to be equipped with critical thinking, clinical reasoning, conflict resolution, and clinical reasoning as the key leadership and management functions (Jenkins, 2016). Critical thinking involves reflecting on issues by skillfully conceptualizing, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating the offered evidence and reasoning to conclude.
Reflection of decision-making and theoretical approaches applied.
Nurses are tasked with the task of advocating for patients and providing quality health services (Jenkins, 2016). It requires nurses and other professionals to work together to create a conducive work environment collaboratively. I once noticed that two nurses whom I allocated in the acute area weren’t willing to work together. On inquiry, it was reported that nurse X usually avoid administering the primary nursing care to the patients and on administers drugs; thus, the other nurse will be overworked. I applied the scientific decision-making framework in solving the issue whereby I listened to both sides complains to clearly define the problem and reach a firm conclusion. I established that nurse X was transferred from the theatre due to back pains, but she never reported to the nurse manager. I discussed with the other nurses on the shift and allocated her to deal with admissions and discharges.
What I would have done differently if I were in a management position
I would have inquired the reason for transfer to the unit to gain a good understanding of the nurse. Most nurses suffer from job burn-out and physical strain due to inadequate staffing levels. Thus, transferring nurse X to the medical department would not help her recuperate since there is a high workload. Employing reflective thinking in nursing practice help implement an effective decision in solving workplace conflicts. In summary, decision-making requires nurses to have effective clinical reasoning skills, critical thinking skills, and clinical expertise. It is also essential to show empathy to make decisions directed at optimizing patient outcomes. Nursing is a collaborative practice and requires teamwork to attain the set objectives.
References
Jenkins, H. M. (2016). Improving clinical decision making in nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 24(6), 242-243. Retrieved from: https://journals.lww.com/jnsdonline/Citation/1993/11000/Book_Reviews.10.aspx
Marquis, B.L. & Huston, C.J. (2017). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Retrieved from: http://docshare02.docshare.tips/files/27924/279241789.pdf