Decision-Making Process Paper
Instructions
In this assignment, you will be writing a 6–8-page paper identifying [maximum page limit is 8 pages – do not exceed as it will incur a penalty], comparing and contrasting at least 3 different decision-making approaches of care from a multidisciplinary perspective using a pertinent and significant topic in nursing.
You’re essentially being invited to think deeply about how nurses at all levels make meaningful choices that shape patient care.
The topic MUST BE APPROVED by your nursing instructor before writing the paper. Your topic was approved in week 3 – please refer to week 3’s approved topic. You are required to use APA 7th edition format, and the page count, appropriate headings, the title page, and the reference page.
Take a moment to review APA guidelines carefully—they ensure your paper looks professional and polished.
Reflect on your decision-making practices and the implications this will have regarding differing approaches taken by nursing leaders and staff nurses/clinical practitioners in decision-making regarding issues in practice.
It’s often through reflection that nurses connect their learning with their real-world experiences, building bridges between theory and practice.
To complete this assignment, do the following:
Use at least 10 CURRENT references other than your main text, do not exceed the maximum 8-page limit [not counting references and cover page]. Uses APA 7th edition formatting.
Remember that the quality and recency of your sources add credibility to your work.
Please see sample APA 7 paper – DO NOT use an Abstract.
Following the sample can help you maintain structure and clarity throughout your writing.
Select and Describe an Issue
Select and describe an issue in nursing that impacts nurses at all levels from bedside to advanced practice.
Think about topics that genuinely resonate with your own clinical experiences or those that have sparked your curiosity in class discussions.
Make sure to provide an adequate background and its significance to all levels of nursing using a strong review of the literature.
A strong background not only informs your reader but also sets the tone for how important your topic truly is in nursing practice today.
Additionally, this should include a thorough literature review that provides a good understanding of what the cause of this problem is; what is suggested to address this problem.
Exploring causes and proposed solutions in depth helps you develop a balanced perspective before applying decision-making models.
Essentially, this review must support your choices of the decision-making models and this needs to include how all levels of nursing practice (the bedside nurse to the APN) are impacted by the problem.
When you connect each level of nursing practice to your topic, you showcase a true appreciation for the interwoven nature of nursing roles.
Decision-Making Models and Analysis
Identify how you would expect a nurse leader/manager, a bedside/staff nurse, and an Advanced Practice Nurse (CNO or NP) to address your selected issue using at least 2 [3 ideal] different decision-making approaches which are clearly supported by the literature review.
Approach this as a chance to explore how leadership and front-line perspectives can complement each other in solving challenges.
This must first include a detailed analysis/overview of the selected decision-making models and how they are used in practice.
Clarifying the essence of each model helps you and your reader understand their practical power in clinical decision-making.
Then a detailed analysis of how these decision-making approaches/models would address the problem, along with a detailed analysis of how each of the three selected models would be applied to address the selected issue/problem making sure to incorporate this at all levels of practice.
Here, specificity will be your best friend—ground your analysis in real examples or evidence whenever possible.
One of the decision-making models may be more applicable to the bedside nurse, whereas another may be more applicable to the APN; however, all levels of nursing practice need to be addressed with at least one of the chosen 3 decision-making models.
It’s important to demonstrate that flexibility in decision-making is a hallmark of excellent nursing practice.
However, this does not mean that each decision-making model will apply to all levels of practice, only that this discussion needs to include how each level of nursing practice would utilize the decision-making model to address the problem.
Providing clarity here ensures your paper feels logical and well-organized.
For instance, one decision-making model may apply to the bedside nurse, the second decision-making model may be more applicable at the level of APN (CNO, NP, etc.), and the other decision-making model may be best applied to the nurse manager.
As you craft these sections, envision how collaboration across these levels fosters more unified care outcomes.
This section should be detailed; meaning specific, well thought out, realistic solutions of how the nurse (at the level identified; this may include more than one level for the same decision-making model or not) would address the problem using the decision-making model is provided and well supported by the literature.
Adding context and examples will make your arguments more engaging and persuasive.
Include discussion of the benefits and limitations of various decision-making approaches that are applied appropriately to the level of nursing practice to address the selected issue/problem.
A balanced analysis shows intellectual maturity and awareness of the complexities in real-world nursing decision-making.
Prioritizing the Best Model
Prioritize the best decision-making approach/model to address the selected problem that is grounded in best practice.
Try to identify the model that not only works well theoretically but also feels intuitively right for the issue you’ve chosen.
This should provide a well-supported rationale for this choice that includes a good comparison and contrasting of the 3 chosen decision-making models that clearly illustrates why the choice was made, that is consistent with the decision-making model and how it would address the chosen topic or problem.
When you defend your choice convincingly, your paper reflects critical thinking and a confident voice as a future nurse leader.
Funding Source
Identify a possible funding source that would address your approach to solving the problem.
Funding is often the bridge between a great idea and a project that can actually make a difference.
For instance, if the best approach to solving the nurse-to-patient ratio problem is through the use of SDM and shared governance, perhaps you may seek a local funding source to provide you with funding to implement a small EBP or research project that would be funded by a local nursing organization such as Sigma Theta Tau or perhaps if it was geared more towards assessing the value of this model towards NP in practice, then seeking a local organization that supports funding for projects being implemented by practicing NP.
Don’t hesitate to explore organizations’ mission statements to ensure your proposal aligns with their funding priorities.
If seeking money for research, this would need to be overseen by a nurse with a DNP or a PhD or someone with the credentials to do so that are part of their scope of practice.
Collaboration with experienced nurse researchers can strengthen your project and its outcomes.
Consider looking at federal, state, or local organizations. For example: There are many grants available through the CDC, HRSA, etc. Again, this needs to be specifically applied with sufficient details.
Taking time to identify and describe your potential funding partner shows thoroughness and real-world awareness.
Approved Topic:
Exploring the Benefits of Hydrotherapy in Post-Operative Orthopedic Patients
Hydrotherapy is a fascinating and evidence-based area that merges holistic care with science, allowing patients to heal through movement and water-based therapy.
References
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González-Fernández, M., Martínez-Ramírez, M., & Cuevas-Lara, S. (2022). Hydrotherapy and functional recovery in post-surgical orthopedic patients: A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(4), 1502–1515. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15102
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Patel, D., & Morgan, J. (2021). Evidence-based decision-making in multidisciplinary nursing teams. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 117, 103887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103887
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Thorsen, T., & Andrews, L. (2020). Clinical decision-making models in nursing leadership: Bridging theory and bedside practice. Nursing Management, 27(5), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.7748/nm.2020.e1927
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Rossi, A., & Pérez, L. (2023). Interdisciplinary approaches to postoperative care: Integrating hydrotherapy into orthopedic recovery. Rehabilitation Nursing Journal, 48(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1097/rnj.0000000000000398
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Kim, H., & Brown, C. (2019). Shared decision-making and nurse-led care models in modern healthcare. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(15–16), 2768–2777. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14877
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