HC002 Strategic Planning Needs Analysis Name University NURS 6241 Strategic Planning in Health Care Organizations

Strategic Planning Strategic planning serves as a pivotal process for every organization, delineating its direction and aiding in the identification of areas for enhancement. According to Martin (2018), this proactive process ensures a comprehensive understanding of overarching goals and potential risks. The following paper delves into a specific strategic planning issue, offering solutions to address it effectively. Strategic Plan Issue The current strategic issue revolves around labor shortages, particularly prevalent in healthcare at Hackensack Meridian Health. Factors such as burnout, an aging workforce, and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic contribute to escalating healthcare shortages (The University of Southern California, 2022). Gardner (2022) highlights the concerning trend of nurse refusal rates for Covid-19 vaccinations and its implications. Additionally, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2022) notes a significant decline in the supply of registered nurses (RNs), particularly among younger nurses employed in hospitals. Mission, Vision, and Values Hackensack Meridian Health’s mission is to revolutionize healthcare and be recognized as a catalyst for positive change. Their vision entails delivering patient-centered, accessible, and affordable high-quality care efficiently. The organization values prioritize the delivery of superior care to patients. However, labor shortages pose a significant impediment to fulfilling these mission, vision, and values. Addressing the Issue Addressing labor shortages, especially in healthcare, is paramount for both organizational sustainability and patient well-being. Nursing shortages can lead to adverse outcomes such as medication errors, increased patient-to-staff ratios, nursing burnout, and heightened mortality rates (Haddad, Annamaraju, & Toney-Butler, 2022). Adequate staffing is imperative for ensuring safe patient care and conducive work environments. Long-term solutions entail adjusting shift scheduling, providing resources to combat burnout, advocating for staff welfare, and examining nurse workload. Previous Attempts Various strategies have been employed to mitigate healthcare shortages, including loosening licensing requirements, offering monetary incentives, and supporting educational programs (National Conference of State Legislators, 2022). However, these measures have not yielded long-term solutions. The current approach of resorting to contract nursing, though temporarily alleviating short staffing, remains a stopgap measure with inherent limitations. Organizational Strengths Hackensack Meridian Health boasts strengths such as personalized care and high success rates across multiple specialties. Personalized care ensures individualized treatment for each patient, fostering diversity and tailored interventions. Additionally, the organization’s track record of excellence, as evidenced by numerous Healthgrades Excellence Awards, underscores its commitment to quality care delivery (Hackensack Meridian Health, 2022). Organizational Weaknesses Despite its strengths, Hackensack Meridian Health grapples with weaknesses, including prolonged patient wait times and high staff turnover rates. These weaknesses are interconnected, with staff turnover exacerbating patient care delays and diminishing patient experiences. Research indicates that prolonged wait times adversely affect patient outcomes and satisfaction (Alrasheedi et al., 2019). Market Opportunities Opportunities for improvement lie in attracting quality staff through sign-on bonuses and enhancing cost-effectiveness to mitigate patient dissatisfaction stemming from extended wait times. Highlighting incentives for prospective employees and optimizing cost-effective care delivery can enhance organizational appeal and patient satisfaction. Environmental Threats Environmental threats such as negative patient experiences and stiff staff competition pose challenges to organizational stability. Poor patient experiences can tarnish the organization’s reputation, while heightened staff competition exacerbates staffing shortages. Addressing these threats necessitates enhancing patient experiences and implementing strategies to retain skilled staff. Conclusion Strategic planning is indispensable for guiding organizational direction and identifying areas for improvement. Labor shortages represent a significant challenge requiring continuous innovation and the implementation of effective solutions. By addressing issues proactively, organizations can mitigate the impact of labor shortages on patient care and organizational performance. References Alrasheedi, K., AL-Mohaithef, M., Edrees, H., & Chandramohan, S. (2019). The association between wait times and patient outcomes: A systematic literature review. Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333392819861246 The American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2022). Nursing s