Abstract
This paper focuses on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), which is a serious concern for many hospitals. Not only are morbidity and mortality rates due to MRSA infection significant, the paper explains, but longer hospital stays, higher costs of treatment and the specter of treatment failure compared to methicillin-sensitive organisms are all realities that are faced. This paper shall outline a proposition to implement a hospital-wide change in the hospital's handwashing policy to that utilizing a chlorhexidine-based foam. Budgetary considerations as well as a strategy for implementation and evaluation of effectiveness on MRSA infections after one year of implementation are discussed. Nursing leader roles are also discussed.

From the Paper
"Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious concern for many hospitals. Not only are morbidity and mortality rates due to MRSA infection significant, but longer hospital stays, higher costs of treatment and the specter of treatment failure compared to methicillin-sensitive organisms are all realities that are faced. This paper shall outline a proposition to implement a hospital-wide change in the hospital's handwashing policy to that utilizing a chlorhexidine-based foam. Budgetary considerations as well as a strategy for implementation and evaluation of effectiveness on MRSA infections after one year of ..."

Tags:disease, infection, transmission, secondary

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious concern for many hospitals. The writer points out that not only are morbidity and mortality rates due to MRSA infection significant, but longer hospital stays, higher costs of treatment and the specter of treatment failure compared to methicillin-sensitive organisms are all realities that are faced. This paper outlines a proposition to implement a hospital-wide change in the hospital's handwashing policy to that utilizing a chlorhexidine-based foam. Budgetary considerations as well as a strategy for implementation and evaluation of effectiveness on MRSA infections after one year of implementation are discussed.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Current Practice
Proposed Practice
Budgetary Considerations
Concerns Regarding Change
Values and Roles
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In order to improve the rate of infection from 10 cases per year to less than one per year, a new practice will be instituted based on the redundancy principle regarding implementation of handwashing procedures. Similarly redundant handwashing facilities (both handwashing stations and foam chlorhexidine gluconate) conveniently located at strategic locations. This solution will include new dispensers at strategic locations with high personnel traffic such as nurses' stations, patient rooms, specific bedside sites (e.g. in intensive care units, labor and delivery bedsides), communal areas for nurses and physicians and outpatient examination rooms. It is expected to be accomplished within 3 months with a reduction in overall and MRSA nosocomial infections after one year."

Tags:health, care, infection, mortality, hospital

Abstract
The assignment in this paper calls for the application of nursing leadership principles to reduce medical or medication errors in an ICU of a healthcare facility. In addition a discussion is presented with respect to risk management situations and programs as well as how to effectively implement a risk management program. Although not called for, but important, is a presentation on EMR with respect to nurse managers.

From the Paper
"There exists today a significant need to foster a healthcare environment wherein there exists a partnership amongst educators, government regulatory agencies, practitioners, and professional organizations to assist the nursing profession with an insurmountable task; namely, to combine nursing education, experience, and learning into a best fit practice for the management of optimal patient care. In order to accomplish this challenging task there must exist, on all sides of education, an acceptable and proactive understanding of that which constitutes management in a nursing healthcare environment, regardless of the nursing healthcare delivery area. However, a state of effective management in nursing does not exist in a vacuum. The focus of this paper will be, therefore, on that which constitutes a sound leadership dais with respect to an important issue concerning all healthcare practitioners, namely, medical errors in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)."

Tags:nursingleadership, icu, medicalerrors

Abstract
This paper focuses the exemplar of nursing leadership, asserting that theory and practice usually have compromises that prevent a completely seamless, clockwork application of theory to the real world. The paper notes that this was a significant exemplar simply because it was a classic example of theory being put to practice. Utilizing concepts by Maslow and Vroom, the paper details an exemplar that portrays effective management using the resources at hand.

Tags:Maslow, Vroom, medical, staff

Abstract
The paper reviews the work of Peter Senge and his 'mental model'. The paper makes an assessment of a nursing unit, including a staff profile, turnover and retention statistics and provides a cultural assessment and personal observation. The paper discusses experiences that have served to shape a vision of what a nursing unit or department should be and how the transformation might be led.

Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Communication: Issue Identified Within the Department
Identification of Core Values/Principles
Positive Advocacy and Inquiry Elements
'Creative Tension': What Is It?
Dissemination of Information
Summary & Conclusion

From the Paper
"Nursing leadership is a role within an organization that carries with it great responsibility and as well great accountability standards. It is critical that the entire organization have the self-same vision or mental image of what the organization intends to aim for insofar as structure, management and organization in terms of changes. Peter Senge writes that "mental models determine not only how we make sense of the world, but how we take action." Senge reminds the reader that many times the plans that are conceived of never come to fruition and he states that this is not because of "weak intention, wavering will, or even nonsystemic understanding" but instead is due to the "...conflict with deeply held internal images of how the world works....[and that limit humans] "...to familiar ways of thinking and acting." (Senge, 1990) According to Senge: "Mental models can be simple generalizations...or they can be complex theories..."(1990)"

Tags:mental, model, staff, patients, management, communication, creative, tension

Abstract
Nursing leaders appear to have a need to be able to react to different situations, while still remaining true to their own personal style of interacting with others. The nursing leader must also be able to balance the demands of performing his or her nursing duties with interpersonal relationships with other nurses, patients, and patients' families. Contrary to the expectations of many outside the profession, who see nurses as individuals who merely follow the lead of hospital administrators and doctors, nursing leadership is not only complex, it is something that is demanded of essentially every nurse.

From the Paper
Nursing Leadership Styles The nursing profession is not always thought of as playing a leadership role in the health care field. Public perception is that nurses play only a subordinate role, particularly in relationship to doctors, it is rare that people perceive of nursing as having leaders of its own. Like any other profession, however, nursing has its own leaders with their own leadership styles. In fact, because of the diversity of roles that nurses play, the profession has a number of leadership theories and roles that are appropriate to varying situations. Management vs. Leadership

Tags:nursing, leadership, interaction

Abstract
the paper examines how Johansson et al. (2001) conducted a study in which one nurse manager was observed and surveyed (p. 149). The paper explains that the purpose of the study was to determine the ability of the nurse manager to achieve goals; particularly those goals associated with leadership. The paper points out that because the role of the nurse manager was new at the current moment in the facility, determining the ability of the nurse manager to achieve her professional goals was significant.

Tags:nursing, leadership, mgmt

Abstract
The paper relates that both articles address the implementation of change and innovation in nursing practice with particular reference to leadership factors. The writer relates that he selected these articles for reflection not only because they deal with nursing leaders as innovators and change agents, but in particular because of the deep realism that informs both works. The writer asserts that while innovation and change are of critical importance to nursing practice, I believe strongly that these must be tempered with realism - the recognition of real-world time constraints and other pressures upon nursing leaders and staff - in order to be implemented successfully. The paper contends that these articles are exemplary models of the application of realism to the analysis of innovative nursing practice.

From the Paper
"The two articles to be explored here - Morjikian, Kimball, and Joynt's "Leading change: The nurse executive's role in implementing new care delivery models" and Reineck's "Models of change" - both address the implementation of change and innovative in nursing practice with particular reference to leadership factors. I selected these articles for reflection not only because they deal with nursing leaders as innovator and change agents, but in particular because of the deep realism that informs both works. While innovation and change are of critical importance..."

Tags:nursing, change, leadership

Abstract
This paper discusses the issues of organizational change and transformation leadership in the educational system. The paper reviews pertinent articles that are related to the topics of educational change and transformational leadership and discusses the historical findings of researchers in both areas. In relation to organizational change, the research provides information on how change occurs in the educational system and the various approaches to change that have been considered and that have been successful. In relation to leadership, the paper discusses the elements of leadership that are required to ensure that change.

From the Paper
"Organizational change occurs consistently in the business world. However, when organizational change occurs within education many considerations must be made for the school, the staff, the community and the larger society that is impacted by that change. Additionally, change cannot occur without effective leadership that is ethically based and that functions to motivate all entities toward successful outcomes. Therefore, the elements that are involved in organizational change within education, as well as the leadership that is needed for that change will be examined."

Tags:organizational, change, education

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide assumptions concerning the change process and the importance of nursing leadership in maintaining consistency, engaging staff, providing attention to risk and clinical outcomes. It also discusses the change process, with reference to published studies, to seek out innovative ways to collaborate for financial aid.

Outline:
Background
Conclusion

From the Paper
''Healthcare organizations are complex organizations; however literature reflects that mental health and substance abuse facilities are considerably more than meager businesses. Mental health and substance abuse facilities are usually a subset entity of the larger health care system (Schwartz, 1998). Collaboration with other agencies is a necessity. Staff is oftentimes limited due to budget restraints and staff turnover rates are numerous. Waiting lists are long for patients to enter the system and patient beds are low. Add to the mix the stakeholder interest the combination becomes incompatible interests and culture and organization suffers. Worsening the challenges for mental health leaders is the unquenchable demand for health care with limited financial revenue. With these assumptions, I will discuss the change process (Golden, 2006) and the importance of nursing leadership to maintain consistency, engage staff, provide attention to risk and clinical outcomes, and seek out innovative ways to collaborate for financial aid (Kan, 2004).''

Tags:health, management, diseases