NU 423 NURSING MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Written Assignment #1 – Critical Thinking Exercise
1. Review an organization’s policies and procedures for assigning staff (this can be at the facility for which you work or a separate facility).
2. Review a specific unit’s staffing plan and current work schedule. Is the unit’s actual schedule reflective of the organization’s staffing policies? Is the unit’s actual schedule consistent with the staffing plan?
3. Interview two or three staff nurses
(Not a nurse manager) on the unit as though you were a state or other regulatory surveyor and ask them if they believe the unit usually has adequate staffing. What would these nurses’ answers reveal to the surveyor?
Assignment
Write a 3-5 page paper (excluding title page and reference page), double spaced; per APA format, addressing the above critical thinking exercise. Point deductions will occur if less than three pages or more than five (excluding title page and reference page. You must adequately discuss each of the components of the exercise individually.You may choose to evaluate your place of employment or a separate facility.
Grading Criteria | Points Possible | Points Earned |
Introduction of Paper | 2.5 | |
Discussion of organization’s policies & procedures for staff assignments | 3.5 | |
Review of a specific staffing plan | 3.5 | |
Review of a specific work schedule | 3.5 | |
Interviews (Include specifics ex. Nurse A was asked, “….”. Nurse A stated, “…..”. | 3.5 | |
Analysis/ Conclusion of the Interviews | 3.5 | |
Conclusion of Entirety of the Paper | 2.5 | |
Scholarly writing (APA format, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, grammar, etc.), spelling, clarity, style (should be appropriate for a professional audience). | 2.5 | |
TOTAL | 25 |
General Grading Criteria Guidelines
· clearly stated introduction & conclusion
· accuracy of information
· thoroughness of information
· use of current and pertinent references
· APA format, style, spelling and grammatical accuracy
· organization of the material
· appropriate use of referenced materials
Deductions will be made for lack of adherence to these guidelines
* It is possible to fail an assignment due to deductions for lack of adherence for the above.
