You have been selected to serve on a community outreach committee within your state’s nursing organization. The committee includes registered nurses of different specialties. At your first meeting, it becomes evident that not everyone is in agreement with a recent position statement about the role of spiritual care, with some members arguing they will no longer support the committee if the position statement is not revised or reversed. As a nurse leader, how could you draw from change theory to address these concerns and encourage collaboration on the committee?

ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER You have been selected to serve on a community outreach committee within your state’s nursing organization

Re: Topic 3 DQ 2

To address the concerns of the outreach committee, one could use transformational leadership to help address the root of the issue and encourage collaboration within the committee. “Transformational leadership is based on empowering the team to work together toward a common vision versus power over others and imposing one’s ideas and will” (DeNisco & Barker, 2016). If members are not in agreement with a recent position statement about the role of spiritual care a discussion should be had as to the problem with the position/ statement rather just stating they will no longer support the committee if the statement is not revised. One way to facilitate this discussion, as a nurse leader, is to help develop a vision for the committee by having everyone write down what their ideal vision would be for the committee.

“To develop a vision, a simple visioning exercise can be used. Each member of theteam should close their eyes and envision the desirable end result. Each person writes the vision on a paper and then reads the statement to the group. After each member contributes, the team begins to identify themes, clarify what is being discussed, and identify areas of agreement and disagreement” (DeNisco & Barker, 2016).

The ability for the committee to work together will create a substantial change that has meaning for everyone. “Collaboration among all team members or within a network provides the vehicle to improve numerous process” (Porter-OGrady, Weberg, Mangold, & Malloch, 2019). Being able to listen to the one another in a respectful way can help contribute to not only change, but collaboration. You have been selected to serve on a community outreach committee within your state’s nursing organization

Reference

DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2016). Advanced practice nursing: essential knowledge for the profession. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Porter-OGrady, T., Weberg, D. R., Mangold, K., & Malloch, K. (2019). Leadership in nursing practice: changing the landscape of health care. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Re: Topic 3 DQ 2

I understand that as a committee, we will not always agree on some issues. When these times come about, we must use evidenced based practice to resolve all concerns so that we can accomplish goals with our patient’s best interest in mind. Kurt Lewin, The father of social psychology stated that in order to bring about change, three major concepts must be fulfilled. The Change Theory has three major concepts: driving forces, restraining forces, and equilibrium.

Within the three major concepts above, are three stages that must be followed: unfreezing, change, and refreezing. By using this model, I would suggest a new idea on spiritual care. My goal at this time would be to overcome resistance in my committee. I would ask what the concerns about the position statement are and encourage discussion. I would like to know the reason for the opposition so we could discuss them among each other. This would be my method for unfreezing.

After open dialogue about the group’s conformity, I would encourage steps towards change. Taking suggestions of what could be a better position statement for our outreach committee. Making sure everyone is involved and heard and a decision is voted on in all fairness encourages unity. This would be my method for bringing about change.

Once a vote is made and we all agree on a new position statement for our outreach committee, it is time to exercise the change. By moving forward with the change, we will make note of the process we took to bring about change. We will update the process on making changes in the organization and make using The Change model as a standard operating procedure on how we make changes in our organization. All decisions should be made according to evidenced based practice. Decisions made as a result of using nursing models and theories, is the only way change can be made that is not only effective but also safe and prudent for the community in which we serve. You have been selected to serve on a community outreach committee within your state’s nursing organization

References

https://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-21-2016/No2-May-2016/Integrating-Lewins-Theory-with-Leans-System-Approach.html

Addressing committee member disagreements can be a daunting task as a nurse leader, and disagreements over spiritual care can be a difficult subject to make a team come to agreements about. As a nurse leader, it is vital to utilize change theory when approaching any issues so to have a protocol that may help structure the change so that the stakeholders of the change may be heard, educated, and encouraged in the process of the change. Using change theory can help mitigate issues and help bring a diverse group together.

Change is a constant in life regardless of how difficult it may be which makes it a common problem that leaders must face when the stakeholders have restraints and different views when the changes are initially proposed. “Iit is important for the leader to exemplify for the team the ability to own the changes that lead to the realization of these opportunities in ways that will enhance both the work experience and the patient experience”(Weberg, 2022). When nurse leaders initially propose a change process, they need to emphasize that the change is needed and good, but they must also initiate an open dialogue to fully understand the dissenting members’ perspectives. Communication that includes empathetic and active listening helps the nurse leaders to get a new perspective on the proposed change and get some ideas of the possible challenges that will be faced so they may be better prepared on how to address them. Also, listening to their team and taking their thoughts into consideration makes the team feel more valued and helps the team have more buy-in in the project and will encourage them to put their efforts into the project.

Lewin’s change theory would be a helpful tool to utilize in this situation where people do not agree on the proposed change for spiritual care. Using Lewin’s“unfreezing, change, and refreezing” theory to address the need for spiritual care, create alternatives and plans for the change, and encourage the establishment of new habits(Petiprin, 2020). To handle the spiritual care disagreements I would listen to the team about their different ideas and once they voiced their differences, I would work with them on possible compromises and research findings that could enlighten perspectives and promote mutual understanding. I would also form subgroups for both sides of the arguments so that each side could delve deeper into the issue that could reflect collective viewpoints and foster collaboration.Using these strategies and Lewin;s change theory, a nurse leader can better handle the complications that naturally come with changes.

References

Petiprin, A. (2020). Lewin’s change theory . Nursing Theory; Nursing Theory. https://nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/lewin-change-theory.php

Weberg, D., & Mangold, K. (2022). Leadership in nursing practice: The intersection of innovation and teamwork in healthcare systems (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.