Competing needs arise within any organization as employees seek to meet their targets and leaders seek to meet company goals. As a leader, successful management of these goals requires establishing priorities and allocating resources accordingly. Within a healthcare setting, the needs of the workforce, resources, and patients are often in conflict. Mandatory overtime, implementation of […]

1. Introduction Patient Profile: Age: 92 years old. Ethnicity: African American. Presenting Complaint: Slurred speech. Brought by: Daughter to Emergency Department. Vital Signs: Blood pressure 210/100 mmHg. Clinical Significance: Slurred speech + severe hypertension suggests possible neurological emergency (stroke, transient ischemic attack). Advanced age and ethnicity increase risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. 2. Initial Assessment […]

When seeking to identify a patient’s health condition, advanced practice nurses can use a diverse selection of diagnostic tests and assessment tools to help in understanding a patient’s condition. In turn, beginning with a differential diagnosis supports the process of further applying information to narrow the possibilities of what the condition may be and working […]

A walk through the Business section of any bookstore or a quick Internet search on the topic will reveal a seemingly endless supply of writings on leadership. Formal research literature is also teeming with volumes on the subject. However, your own observation and experiences may suggest these theories are not always so easily found in […]

Do you believe you have the traits to be an effective leader? Perhaps you are already in a supervisory role, but as has been discussed previously, appointment does not guarantee leadership skills. How can you evaluate your own leadership skills and behaviors? You can start by analyzing your performance in specific areas of leadership. In […]