Thank you for this most interesting article. Addressing human resource challenges is fundamental to improving quality.
I would like to and expand on Point 7 to stress the need for present, effective, empathetic, supportive, strong, visionary leadership that models the kind of work ethic and care that is expected of a healthcare worker.
“Leaders must describe the future in graphic, vivid, compelling pictures and statements that would make someone who is comfortable with ‘HERE’ say to themselves-Oh it would be so much better to go’ THERE’” Bill Hybels
In my experience many leaders are appointed through quota, political, length of service or other processes and not necessarily to meet the needs of the service or because they are the best person for the job.
Leaders are required to spend a large proportion of their time in meetings or on administrative tasks and are therefore not present to provide the supportive supervision mentioned in point 7.
This kind of leadership is not taught or modelled and if this is not innately present in the individual it results in either autocratic or weak leadership. Those being led consequently lose trust in their leader and the low morale mentioned in point 8 results.
Globally the need for effective leadership has been recognised and there is an annual Global leadership summit supporting and teaching leadership skills. Global leadership summit
<https://globalleadership.org/global-leadership-summit/>.
I would like to see more emphasis in global recommendations for clinical and administrative nursing management of units and that these managers should receive leadership specific training not just managerial/administrative skills.
A second point is that many nurses including managers lack IT skills which keep them from accessing online training and resources and from being able to effectively use basic word and data processing programs and to then to be able to effectively interrogate data or provide reports.
The lack of IT support-including lack of technology, internet access and support personnel in health facilities further adds to this challenge.
God bless
Ruth Davidge RN RM RPN, Cert. Neon Intensive Care, *f*ANSA
CHIFA Profile: Ruth Davidge is Neonatal Coordinator at PMB Metro, Hospitals Complex Western, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. She is President of the Neonatal Nurses Association of Southern Africa, NNASA. She is a Registered Nurse and on the board of the Council of International Neonatal Nurses, COINN. ruth.davidge AT kznhealth.gov.za www.nnasa.org.za www.nnasa.org.za She is a CHIFA Country Representative for South Africa http://www.hifa.org/support/members/ruthCHIFA Profile
