Health Care Environment Reflection

The academic nurse educator “facilitates change to improve quality outcomes” (Ferris

State University, 2013). It is the responsibility of academic nurse educators to adequately prepare

future generations of nurses to deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. One way in

which an academic nurse educator can facilitate change in the healthcare environment is by,

"...providing leadership in their area(s) of expertise" (National League for Nursing [NLN], 2012,

p. 8). I have selected two NLN standards and three school artifacts that embody the components

of the Health Care Environment program outcome.

Competency V: Function as a Change Agent and Leader, states "nurse educators function

as change agents and leaders to create a preferred future for nursing education and nursing

practice" (NLN, 2012, p. 19). Artifact one, Using Litigation to Mitigate Workplace Violence in

Healthcare, discusses the current state of workplace violence facing healthcare providers in

America. Unfortunately, workplace violence, especially against nurses, is on the rise. Workplace

violence has a negative impact on nurses and patients under their care. Such violence leads to job

dissatisfaction, nurse turnover, and poor patient outcomes. The artifact demonstrates the ability

to identify proposed government legislation that would positively impact the issue as well as,

pinpoint key stakeholders that could assist in the promotion of change. Academic nurse

educators can play a vital role in advancing a preferred future for nursing practice by advocating

for change and collaborating with healthcare leaders and stakeholders to implement solutions.

Competency VIII: Function within the Educational Environment, states, "to function as a

good citizen of the academy, the nurse educator integrates the values of respect, collegiality,

professionalism, and caring to build an organizational climate that fosters the development of

students and teachers" (NLN, 2012, p. 22). Nurse educators, whether through formal or informal
leadership roles, are critical to maintaining a healthy work environment. Artifact two, Incivility

and Bullying in Nursing, analyzes the culture of incivility that has plagued the profession of

nursing for decades. This culture of incivility is prevalent in both the practice and academic

setting. Incivility degrades the work environment resulting in decreased job satisfaction,

impaired team dynamics, and faculty attrition. The artifact demonstrates the ability to examine a

complex issue facing the academy through a multidisciplinary lens and identify possible

solutions utilizing systems thinking. Although complicated and pervasive, academic nurse

educators can promote change by abandoning old ways of thinking and joining forces with

leaders in the practice, academic, and research setting as well as, employing the ideals of mutual

trust, collegiality, and respect within their workplace culture.

Artifact three, Comparing the Use of Peer Role-Play and Standardized Patients in

Undergraduate Mental-Health Nurse Communication Training: A Literature Review, analyzes

the nurse educator's role in preparing the next generation of nurses to communicate effectively

within an ever-changing healthcare environment. Effective communication skills are essential for

facilitating change and promoting quality patient outcomes. Communication is a difficult skill to

develop and requires ample practice to master. The artifact demonstrates the ability to seek

alternative, evidence-based solutions to communication training when traditional approaches

such as adequate clinical practicum experiences are in short supply. Since communication is a

relatively universal skill, relevant literature and practices utilized by other practice disciplines

such as medicine were examined. Employing curriculum that is evidenced-based and prepares

graduates to assume roles such as, "....communicator, change agent, care coordinator ...

collaborator, and decision-maker" (NLN, 2012, p. 9) is considered a Hallmark of Excellence in

Nursing Education by the NLN (2012) and is essential for facilitating change within the

healthcare environment.

The Health Care Environment program outcome has been met through the identified

artifacts. Artifact one taught the importance of being aware of relevant health care issues. As a

nurse educator it is my responsibility to advocate for work environments that promote a preferred

future for nursing practice. Artifact two helped me understand the importance of using a

multidisciplinary lens to examine complex issues and approach solutions using systems thinking.

Finally, artifact three challenged me to think outside of the box in terms of nurse communication

training and examine evidence-based approaches utilized by other practice disciplines to prepare

future nurses to become effective communicators within the ever-changing healthcare

environment.
 References

Ferris State University. (2013). Ferris State University School of Nursing organizational

framework. Retrieved from https://ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/pdfs-

docs/SON-Organizing-Framework-2013.pdf

National League for Nursing [NLN]. (2012). The scope of practice for academic nurse educators

(2nd ed.). New York, NY: National League for Nursing.