Question

Includes a description of change theories, conflict theories, and leader as a change agent in Nursing.

Answer 1

Change is to make something different. It can be an act or process. Planned changes are essential to bring out good outcomes in organizational goals. There are different theories on change. Some of them are:

Lewin’s Change theory: In this theory there are driving forces (people who wants to bring changes like leaders/managers) and resistant forces (like employees). There are three stages – unfreezing, moving and refreezing. For change to happen, the driving force should dominate.

Roger’s change theory: This theory is useful when bringing about long term change. It is a modification of Lewin’s theory. It has five stages – awareness, interest, evaluation, implementation and adoption.

Spradley’s change theory: This is also based on Lewin’s theory but it gives importance to continual evaluation of the change process. It has 8 steps – recognize symptoms, diagnose problem, analyze solutions, select change, plan the change, implement the change, evaluate the change and stabilize the change.

Conflict is a serious disagreement or argument. Conflict in workplaces could be interpersonal conflict, role conflict or inter-group conflict. There are three stages in conflict such as differences, discord and dispute. There are different conflict management strategies are accommodating, collaborating, compromising, avoiding and competing.

A Change agent is a person who brings about change. It is a leader who usually brings the change. In nursing the leader could be the Director, Superintendents, Managers or the staff nurses can bring about change. The leader should have a vision to bring a change an impact nursing. They have to aware of change theories and use it appropriately since all theories does not fit all situations. The leaders are the change agents since they are in the key position and have the power to bring changes. They should also be ready to face any challenges.