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Chapter 10 – Case Study Questions
This activity contains 6 questions.
What Is It With This Place?
Tom has been working in the local acute care hospital for about 10 years. The hospital
has grown from a 150-bed facility to a 200-bed facility in that time, but recently there
have been comments made about cutting some beds due to a lower census. He works on a
cardiac unit as one of the team leaders. Sue graduated from nursing school two years ago
and has recently joined the staff. This is her second position since graduation. After
working on the unit for three months, Sue comes to Tom and says, “What is it with this
place?” He is confused and asks what she means. Her response is spoken with much
emotion. “People here don’t seem to care about one another. I don’t trust anyone I work
with. Do you?” He responded, “Sure I do. Seems like a comfortable place to me. Just go
with the flow, and you will be fine.” Sue ponders this but still struggles. Another new
nurse begins to work on the unit. This nurse has five years of experience and recently
moved from out of state. A few weeks after her arrival, she and Sue have lunch together.
The new nurse tells Sue that she is discouraged. She has always liked working and now
dreads coming in. “I just don’t feel that staff is connected here. No one really talks to one
another. I don’t even think that staff members have any pride in their work.” Sue
connects with these comments and discusses how she has felt. It is great to have someone
who understands, but she wishes that staff who have been working on the unit longer
would be more helpful and connect to these concerns.
1.
Why do you think Tom responded in the way he did?
2.
How would you describe the culture of this organization?
3.
Do you think the culture described applies to the specific unit or the entire organization?
What would you base your answer on?
4.
Is this a consonant or dissonant culture, and what is your rationale?
5.
What possible effects can an organization’s culture have on patient care delivery?
6.
If you were either of the new nurses, what would you do?
Finkelman, Leadership and Management for Nurses: Core Competencies for Quality Care, 3e
Chapter 10 – ANSWER KEY Case Study Questions
1.
[Answers will vary according to student opinion]
2.
[Answers will vary according to student opinion]
3.
[Answers may vary according to student opinion]
The organization’s vision, mission, values, goals, and strategic plans reveal important
Finkelman, Leadership and Management for Nurses: Core Competencies for Quality Care, 3e
4.
[Answers will vary according to the student’s opinion of the unit described.]
A consonant culture is described as functional or effective, while a dissonant culture is
Finkelman, Leadership and Management for Nurses: Core Competencies for Quality Care, 3e
5.
[Answers will vary according to student opinion]
Many healthcare professionals feel a real conflict in their work environment. They want
The Institute of Medicine report Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001) addresses some key
issues related to organizational culture in healthcare delivery systems. The process of
developing this report included the participation from experts in medicine, nursing,
safety, pharmacy, and health administration, which resulted in a broad base of viewpoints
and the following recommendations:
Finkelman, Leadership and Management for Nurses: Core Competencies for Quality Care, 3e
6.
[Answers will vary according to student opinion]
