Question 1

The reasons that nursing administrators sometimes do not plan in a systematic manner include

Accepted Answer

The nurse manager should participate in strategic planning and quality initiatives within the organization.Lack of knowledge is a common reason for nonparticipation in planning initiatives.Knowledge regarding philosophy,goals,and external and internal operations of the organization is necessary,and a good understanding of the planning process is paramount for systematic planning.

Question 2

Planning is a process designed to achieve goals in dynamic,competitive environments.What is the first step that you,as a new manager,will undertake to develop a strategic plan of action for a program about congestive heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Assessment of the external environment is the first step in the strategic planning process.

Question 3

Of the following types of environmental assessments,which is an example of a patient trend assessment?

Accepted Answer

Although all the choices are examples of an environmental assessment,only prospective users' input about current and future services is part of the patient trend assessment.

Question 4

In establishing the strategic plan for effective use of evidence to guide nursing practice at Pacific Hospital,the nursing unit managers take the next step,which is the implementation.Implementation would probably involve

Accepted Answer

The previous planning (assessment of internal and external environments,development of a mission and plan,and allocation of resources)has already been completed.The next step involves adapting the strategic plan to the nursing units.

Question 5

Through its strategic planning processes,the strategic planning team at Pacific Hospital learns that nursing staff members are uncomfortable with utilizing evidence-informed practice,and that they perceive that only limited resources are available to support translation of evidence into their usual practice.Because this issue has been identified,the team determines that a plan of action is required to address the issue.Who should be involved in determining this plan?

Accepted Answer

Departmental managers need to be involved in this phase,which includes development of long-and short-term goals,allocation of resources,and preparation of the budget.

Question 6

The chief nursing officer has to write a strategic plan.The most difficult stage in the strategic planning process is

Accepted Answer

Determination of strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats requires openness to what is being said and observed and is critical for producing relevant responses in the latter phases of strategic planning.

Question 7

Construction of properly worded and written objectives most often begin with which word?

Accepted Answer

The objective statement is properly constructed and describes exactly what is to be accomplished.It begins with the word to,followed by an action verb; it specifies a single result to be achieved; and it specifies a target date for its attainment.

Question 8

Which of the following represents a well-written objective?

Accepted Answer

Effective objectives are known as S.M.A.R.T.objectives.The acronym S.M.A.R.T.refers to key attributes of effective objectives: specific,measurable,agreed on (or some use the word achievable),realistic,and time bound.

Question 9

To conduct assessment of the internal environment,the strategic planning team for Pacific Hospital

Accepted Answer

Assessment of the internal environment should include all levels of staff and facilitates feedback on effectiveness of strengths and weaknesses of systems and processes within the institution.

Question 10

As a nursing leadership student,you have had the opportunity to develop a palliative care manual that will be used by the palliative care network (PCN)in your region for teaching health care providers.The PCN has requested that you provide a prioritized strategic plan of action for the manual on a province-/territory-wide basis.What is the first priority?

Accepted Answer

To put a strategic plan into place,it is necessary to conduct an environmental assessment.

Question 11

The process of developing,negotiating,and formalizing the targets of an organization is

Accepted Answer

Goal setting is the process of developing,negotiating,and formalizing the targets or objectives of an organization.

Question 12

As a unit manager,you can promote goal commitment by

Accepted Answer

One of the key steps in implementing a goal-setting program is to promote goal commitment by providing instructions and support to employees and managers.

Question 13

Which of the following reflects a characteristic of an organizational environmental assessment?

Accepted Answer

The organizational environment assessment relates to the administration,service departments,and staff.The process is considered an informal evaluation of relationships that define the organizational boundaries to assess for structure and loyalties that may affect the achievement of work.Also,the organizational climate must be assessed because it can shape the future decision-making by the organization.

Question 14

Pacific Hospital's strategic planning team develops a process to include staff in development of the mission statement.Which of the following statements would indicate that staff members have been able to develop an effective mission statement?

Accepted Answer

An effective mission statement reflects the values and direction of the organization.Included in the statement are beliefs about individuals,health,practitioners,and the relationship of the organization to practice,research,professionalism,and education.

Question 15

The strategic planning process shares many similarities with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The strategic planning process and the nursing process share many similarities,such as planning and implementation.

Question 16

Northwestern Hospital has decided to implement peer review.As a clinical leader in the emergency department,you have overall responsibility for ensuring that this is in place by next month.The most important step in this process is to

Accepted Answer

Once a strategic plan has been developed,the next step is open communication and execution of the specific plan,which,in this instance,is peer review.

Question 17

The clinic nurse understands that the advantages of planning include

Accepted Answer

Effective planning means that everyone in the organization manages his or her own work and sees how it relates to organizational goals.Being proactive means "aggressive planning" that ensures that decisions are improved and are oriented toward organizational goals.

Question 18

A community-based pain management program is being planned for your region.As a coordinator of a home care agency,you have been requested to develop a conceptual framework,mission statement,philosophy,and objectives for the program.In what order will you pursue this endeavour?

Accepted Answer

The development of the mission statement is the first step in defining the purpose and direction of the organization after an assessment has been completed.

Question 19

In assessing the internal environment,the strategic planning team at Pacific Hospital discovers that 90% of staff members have no idea what the current mission statement means.This is probably related to

Accepted Answer

A mission statement reflects the beliefs of the organization in relation to the people it serves and the services provided,and it communicates the direction of an organization.Covey (1990)believes that the process of developing the mission statement is vital to an organization's success and should involve everyone.

Question 20

From your observation of planning activities in the organization,you have noticed that planning and decision making occur at various levels of the organization.The nurse manager has overall responsibility for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The nurse manager should articulate organizational decision making for the criteria model adopted by the organization and monitor ongoing implementation of the plan.

Quiz 17: Strategic Planning and Goal Setting