Question

Discuss planned-change theories and their relevance to nursing

Answer 1

Change means to make something different such as changes in the existing behaviour . It can be planned or unplanned. Unplanned changes bring about unpredictable outcomes, while planned change is a series of events implemented to achieve established goals.

Change Agents in Nursing

In nursing, a change agent is a person who brings about changes that impact nursing services. The change agent may be a nurse leader, staff nurse or someone who works with nurses.

Change theories are used to bring about planned change in nursing. Nurses must have knowledge of change theories and select the right change theory . Some of the theories are :-

- Lewin's change theory

- Rogers change theory

- Spradelys change theory

Lewin's Change Theory

Kurt Lewin's change theory is widely used in nursing and involves three stages: the unfreezing stage, moving stage and refreezing stage. Lewin's theory depends on the presence of driving and resistant forces. The driving forces are the change agents who push employees in the direction of change. The resistant forces are employees or nurses who do not want the proposed change. For this theory to be successful, the driving force must dominate the resistant force.

Relevance based on a study - to change the shift handover tradition .

The driving force in this case was dissatisfaction with the traditional handover method, while the resistant forces were a fear of accountability, lack of confidence and fear that this change would lead to more work. Evaluation of the implemented change showed that the new process was successfully implemented. It implies that a change is vital concept not only in nursing or any other profession but also in personal life . It makes the tasks more easy , comfortable , enhances functioning and nursing practice .