Question

A nurse is working in a facility that has fewer directors with managers and staff available to make shared decisions. In which type of organizational structure is the nurse employed?

a) Hierarchical
b) Flat
c) Matrix
d) Functional

Answer 1

A nurse with fewer managers and a shared decision-making process likely works in a flat organizational structure. This structure focuses on collaboration, empowers employees, and is becoming more common in the healthcare industry.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse described in the question is most likely employed in a flat organizational structure. This type of structure is characterized by having fewer levels of management between the staff and executives. A flat structure emphasizes a more decentralized approach to management, where the decision-making process is more distributed and often participatory, involving staff members at various levels. It is designed to foster open communication and collaboration, which empowers employees, allowing them to take part in the decision-making process, thus promoting a sense of team ownership.

Modern health care facilities and other organizations are moving towards this model as it allows for more flexibility and responsiveness to change. Health care teams in such organizations might consist of a mix of nurses, doctors, and other staff who work closely together to provide patient care, relying on each other's expertise and functioning with a sense of shared responsibility.

Though a flat structure can offer many benefits, including increased efficiency and improved morale, it can sometimes lead to role confusion and can be challenging in very large organizations that require a strict chain of command.