Comparison of the Roles
Nursing directors are administrators that are working at different healthcare facilities (such as hospitals and nursing homes). Their role may revolve around the concept of supervision, but they are no strangers to administrative functions (including budgetary operations and record-keeping). To acquire this role, an individual has to possess a nursing license and certain knowledge in the area of healthcare administration (Glembocki & Fitzpatrick, 2013). On the other hand, the key role of CNOs is supervision. Also, they may be responsible for the implementation of specific patient care delivery approaches and the development of service-related strategies. The main focus of the CNOs is to maintain positive patient outcomes and contribute to the overall profitability of their healthcare facility.
Steps to Smooth Operations
One of the first steps on the way to smoother operations in the area of the shared governance structure is a custom approach to the delivery of care. Therefore, it will be necessary to integrate such values that are in line with the guiding principles of professional practice. This is the first step to high-quality care. The next step will be the improvement of nurses’ satisfaction (Grant & Ballard, 2013). In perspective, it will positively affect retention rates and working environments. The potential of shared governance can be validated using applying both empirical and theoretical evidence in practice. These two major steps have to be seen as triggers for positive outcomes within any given healthcare framework that relies on the shared governance structure.
CNOs’ Challenges
The very first challenge is the technological revolution. CNOs are virtually forced to allow the use of new technologies in practice. The level of automatization is ridiculous, and it is critical to understand that all these improvements are gradually affecting the process of healthcare transformation. CNOs are predestined to recognize the importance of technological innovations and lead the process of transformation incessantly (Hamlin, 2014). The second challenge is the overall image of nursing. CNOs have to focus on retaining the existing state of affairs and creating a better image for nurses. To do this, CNOs will have to come up with a combination of activities that will help them to coordinate their efforts and send out cohesive messages regarding the benefits of nursing.
Shared Governance vs. Authoritarian CNO
The model of shared governance presupposes that the process of sustaining change may be frustrating even for the most experienced nurses. Therefore, even evidence-based transformations may lead to adverse outcomes. On the other hand, the shared governance structure allows the nurses to provide feedback and develop their partnerships because they get the chance to communicate the change (Grant & Ballard, 2013). On the other hand, there are authoritarian CNO practices that are not directly linked to the concept of shared governance but still focus on the evidence-based approach. It can be concluded that an authoritarian CNO is expected to encounter certain issues throughout the process of implementing change due to the inability to employ innovative approaches to staff-driven environments.
The Role of the CNO
The role of a CNO consists in the achievement of unremitting improvement. A professional CNO has to be a leader that can manage teams of all sizes while being a community leader and nursing representative at the same time (Glembocki & Fitzpatrick, 2013). The leadership role of CNOs is also evident as they have to lead the collaboration with other healthcare specialists and possess a certain amount of flexibility when it comes to the process of adopting new practices within the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
References
Glembocki, M. M., & Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2013). Advancing professional nursing practice: Relationship-based care and the ANA standards of professional nursing practice. Minneapolis, MN: Creative Healthcare Management.
Grant, P., & Ballard, D. C. (2013). Fast facts about nursing and the law: Law for nurses in a nutshell. New York, NY: Springer.
Hamlin, L. (2014). Advanced practice nursing: Contexts of care. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.