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3 Most Important Principles

1. Authority and Responsibility

As nurses, our scope of practice is well defined by existing laws and regulations. I strongly believe that the concept of Authority and Responsibility extends not only to those in management positions but to every nurse. Both Nurse Managers and all the nurses under her leadership must be afforded the authority they needed to perform their duties and responsibilities well within the scope of practice. This authority comes with a set of responsibilities that must be met to realize both care and management goals. This requires both nurse managers and nurses to be accountable for their actions thereby contributing to the quality of care and growth of the profession itself

2. Unity of Direction

Nursing requires working with members of the healthcare team and each member of the healthcare team has their own set of duties and responsibilities. Having a unity of direction will ensure the realization of the institutions’ goals which is to provide effective and cost-efficient health services to the public while allowing nurses to realize our own professional goals of providing the best possible individualized care.

3. Remuneration

While nursing is a caring profession, nurses also need the resources to care for themselves and their families. A remuneration package that fairly compensates nurses for their service and for taking the risks that comes with the job will be an added motivation in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. This will also ensure that nurses have access to services they need to remain healthy which is vital for them to effectively care for clients and meet health care goals

3 Least Important Principles

1. Division of Labor

While it is undeniable that it is beneficial to have a proper division of labor, I believe it belongs to the 3 least important principles because focusing merely on the division of labor does not necessarily ensure the quality of care. I believe that the effectiveness of a nursing intervention relies on the competency of the nurse and giving the qualified nurse the authority and responsibility to function within his scope of practice will serve to be more beneficial than just dividing the tasks.

2. Subordination of Individual Interests to General Interests

Nursing is a patient-centered profession and while it is part of the institutions’ goals to provide effective and cost-effective care nurses also have the responsibility to be advocates of our clients and their rights. I believe this principle is least important because it has the tendency to conflict with nurses’ responsibility to advocate.

3. Scalar Chain

It is important to have a clear organizational structure for an organization to work properly. However, I believe that this does not have a substantial contribution to the day-to-day workings of the profession. Oftentimes nurses have to go communicate laterally with other members of the healthcare team and other departments within an organization which is most of the time, based on the healthcare needs of the patient.