Project
Owing to the highly functional cell phone coverage in the area, I propose that the home health care agency develop a health database that could be accessed via the mobile phone to assist the elderly, chronically ill, and alcohol/substance abuse patients to access health information from the comfort of their homes. Such a mobile-accessed electronic health database will assist patients in home care settings to perform routine procedures to evaluate their own health status, self-administer some common medications, and have access to nutritional information on their mobiles. Consequently, it would be very easy to develop a database containing all the common health information required by patients in home health settings as we can always rely on the experiences of nurses and decision support systems to develop common standards of care. It will also be easy to teach the patients how to access the health information via the mobile phones as mobile phone penetration and use is very high within the population.
Impact of Change & Resistance
The proposed project will have far reaching implications on the nursing function in home health care as nurses will now have the capability to give health-related information to their clients via mobile phones. Such a capability implies that more nurses will be freed to spend time travelling to cater for the critically ill patients who need personalized attention as patients in need of common health information will always have the opportunity to access it on their mobile phones. Additionally, home-based patients with queries will have the opportunity to text the home health agency for clarification using the short codes provided. This capability will ensure that nurses are endowed with the capacity to provide support to their home-based patients on a 24/7 basis, instructing them through short text messages (SMS) on how best to care for themselves and availing emotional support.
It is expected that this project may experience resistance from some nurses who may want to maintain the status quo. The project may also experience resistance from home health care administrators, who may feel that it is a bit costly or may fail to meet the health needs of home-based patients. I intend to overcome the resistance through creating awareness and information sharing on the part of nurses, and undertaking cost justifications on the part of agency administrators. The nurses need to be made aware that such a project will not only reduce unnecessary home visits, but will ensure that the clients have the needed health information at their fingertips in case of a medical emergency. Administratively, Ill present figures to stakeholders to make them understand how the project will save money and human resources through limiting unnecessary home visits by nurses and streamlining how care is provided to patients.
Strengthening Leadership & Management Skills
It is my personal belief that leaders in the nursing profession must have the capacity not only to engage in effective communication, but also to stand up for the rights of patients and staff through advocacy. It is also my personal belief that nurses in leadership or management positions must have the capacity not only to assist junior members of staff cope with the busy work environment, but also empower them through constant delegation of duties. In the future, therefore, I intend to strengthen my advocacy, communication, coping, and empowerment skills. These skills, in my view, will assist in helping junior staff to cope with everyday stressors, improving their work and professional conditions through advocacy, and facilitating collaboration and cooperation through open communication and empowerment.