NU420 Unit 2 Assignment Worksheet

1. After reviewing the “Organizational Structures” chapter of your Yoder-Wise text,

develop a definition of organizational effectiveness.

Organizational effectiveness largely depends on the nature of the leader-follower
relationship. Organizational effectiveness is achieved if the members are as effective at what
they do as their leaders are at what they do. In practice, organizational effectiveness is achieved
if the leadership is fluid and shared (Yoder-Wise, 2014). This implies that the leader is equally
capable of functioning or transitioning into a follower as the follower is capable of fitting in and
taking the role of a leader. In flattened organizational structures, where governance is shared,
then followers perform well and engage in more activities. The leader-follower relationship
determines organizational effectiveness. If there is increased trust between the leader and those
being lead, then the organization is more likely to advance. The value of engaged and increased
and engaged followers tend to increase, and so does the leader get recognition for having an
improved team and performance within the organization. In nursing practice, when the
understanding of the follower is increased, they are developed and engaged in achieving higher
and positive outcomes at all healthcare levels.

2. Elaborate on the relationship between organizational effectiveness and quality nursing
   care.
   Quality nursing care is defined as fulfilling already existing criteria that is based on
   certain values in the profession and in society, in accordance with a professional’s current
   knowledge. It refers to the balance between the use of nursing care and the possible harm that
   care could cause (Prenkert & Ehnfors, 1997). Organizational structure and human resources have
   the potential to influence the quality of nursing care. Thus, factors such as knowledge and

training of staff, experience, and routines of recording and systems have a direct impact on the
quality of nursing care. The outcome of nursing care denotes the impact that nursing care has on
the well-being and health of patients. It affects quality because it can potentially enhance the
patient’s situation. Organizational effectiveness affects the outcome of nursing care, and
consequently, the quality of care. Indicators of an organizational performance play a role in the
level of patient satisfaction and thus, the quality of nursing care (Péfoyo & Wodchis, 2013).
Organizational effectiveness impact quality nursing care. As such, initiatives that focus on
patient satisfaction, better patient outcomes and improved relations between nurses and their
leaders lead to improved quality nursing care.

3. Choose a leadership/management theory that could be applied to this situation. Explain
   the main components of the theory and your rationale for application in this Case Study
   situation. 

Trait theory of leadership can be applied to the situation. The theory holds that leaders
have a specific set of emotional and physical characteristics that are key to inspiring their
followers. Some proponents of this theory are of the opinion that traits are inborn and therefore,
cannot be acquired as they occur naturally in individuals (Yoder-Wise, 2014). However, others
suggest that leadership traits can be learned and developed in each individual. It is important for
an individual to be aware of the traits that they possess as this affects their overall growth. Self-
awareness ensures that an individual seeks a job for which their traits match.

In reference to the trait theory of leadership, the alternate nurse manager from the
telemetry that was picked to stand in and help with staffing after the nurse manager in the
medical-surgical unit left did not qualify for the job. It is evident that her traits did not match the
requirements and demands of the new role that she was given. This explains why she has

provided little leadership in the new unit. Although she is a qualified nurse manager, she cannot
provide the required leadership in the medical-surgical unit. From the responses given by the
nurses, it is evident that there was no enforcement of the structure provided. Nurses took over in
self-managing themselves as there was no to “enforce” whatever system that was in place.

4. Provide an example of the application of the theory to one of the bulleted concerns in the
   Case Study. 

As the new leader, and in reference to the trait theory, I would first come up with a
staffing assignments system that will be followed by the nurses during the day as well as at night.
Then, I will identify other nurses whose qualities and traits match the leadership demands of the
job and assign them oversight tasks. This will ensure that even in my absence, things run
smoothly because there are responsible people in charge. The new system will put into
consideration patient load, staffing, and quality care factors. Patients will be fairly distributed to
different nurses depending on these factors. Task knowledge will also be a factor that will be
considered when assigning patients. Overall, the new leadership will change how patients are
distributed among nurses as such a system is likely to leave some nurses overworked, and some
patients neglected, thus affecting patient satisfaction.

References

Péfoyo, A. J. K., & Wodchis, W. P. (2013). Organizational performance impacting patient
satisfaction in Ontario hospitals: a multilevel analysis. BMC research notes, 6(1), 509.
Prenkert, F., & Ehnfors, M. (1997). A measure of organizational effectiveness in nursing
management. Journal of nursing management, 5(5), 279-287.
Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2014). Leading and managing in nursing-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.