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A health-care organization is changing from a functional nursing model to a team nursing model. How should the nurse-manager best address the impact on staffing and scheduling?

1) The client assignment method will need to be adjusted.
2) More unlicensed assistive personnel will need to be hired.
3) No changes in scheduling policies will likely be necessary.
4) A self-scheduling system will need to be adopted.

User DaveTM
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Final answer:

The nurse-manager should adjust the client assignment method and potentially hire more assistive personnel when transitioning from a functional to a team nursing model. Rotating shifts in healthcare can be problematic, but self-scheduling systems and adequate staffing can mitigate issues related to employee well-being and patient care.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a health-care organization transitions from a functional nursing model to a team nursing model, the nurse-manager should address the impact on staffing and scheduling by recognizing that the client assignment method will need to be adjusted. This is necessary in order to distribute tasks efficiently among team members according to their skills and licensure, ensuring that all aspects of patient care are covered. Adjusting to a team nursing model may also require changes to the existing staffing levels, potentially requiring the hiring of more unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs), thereby changing the scheduling strategies to accommodate the dynamics of a team approach.

Healthcare professionals, including nurses, often work rotating shifts, which can pose challenges such as work-life balance disruptions and increased risk for errors due to fatigue. The nurse-manager can deal with these issues by implementing self-scheduling systems, ensuring adequate staff levels to prevent burnout, and providing training on the importance of sleep and self-care.

Moreover, with a team nursing model, it's essential to frequently revisit and fine-tune scheduling policies to ensure that the teams work cohesively and that care quality is not compromised. An environment that promotes communication, collaboration, and employee wellness is key to the successful integration of a team nursing approach within a healthcare organization.

User Daren Chandisingh
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