PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT CASE STUDY

 QUESTION ONE (1) PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT (COMPULSORY)

1.) Mrs Mwetwe aged 45 years is a ward manager at Solwezi general hospital and has asked you to orient student nurses on how to manage a ward

A] Define a ward manager (5mks)

Ward Manager is the nurse or midwife involved in the process of planning, organizing, leading and controlling the work of organizational members and of using all available resources to reach stated organizational goals.

B] Outline five(5) functions of the ward manager (15mks)

1. Planning-setting goals, developing strategies, and outlining tasks and schedules to accomplish the goal.

2. Organizing-identifying and grouping of the works to be performed, defining and delegating responsibility and authority and establishing relationships for the purpose of enabling people to work most efficiently.

3.Directing- linking up different departments and human resource in order to achieve set objectives of an organization or Co-ordination is the orderly synchronization of efforts to provide the proper amount, timing, and directing execution resulting in harmonious and unified actions to a stated objective.

4.Controlling -determining what is being accomplished - that is, evaluating performance and, if necessary, applying corrective measures so that performance takes place according to plans"

5. Staffing -concerned with acquiring, developing, employing, appraising, remunerating and retaining people so that the right type of people are available in right positions and at the right time in the organization.

C] Disccuss ten(10) principles you will follow when managing a ward (50mks)

1.Division of work:

This means that work should be divided among individuals and groups to ensure that effort and attention are focused on special portions of the task. Fayol presented work specialization as the best way to use the human resources of the organization.

2.Authority:

The concepts of Authority and responsibility are closely related. Authority was defined by Fayol as the right to give orders and the power to exact obedience. Responsibility involves being accountable, and is therefore naturally associated with authority. Whoever assumes authority also assumes responsibility.

3.Discipline:

This refers to outward marks of respect in accordance with formal or informal agreements between organisation and its employees. A successful organization requires equal input from all workers. Penalties should be applied fairly to encourage this common effort.

4.Unity of command:

This means that all the employees should receive orders from only one manager.

5. Unity of direction:

The entire organization should be moving towards a common objective in a common direction.

6.Subordination of individual interests to the general interests:

The interests of one person should not take priority over the interests of the organization as a whole. This is a difficult area of management.

7. Remuneration:

This means that workers should receive a pay for the work done.

8.Centralization:

Fayol defined centralization as lowering the importance of the subordinate role.Decentralization is increasing the importance. The degree to which centralization or decentralization should be adopted depends on the specific organization in which the manager is working.

9.Scalar chain:

The Top Manager possesses the most authority; the first line supervisor the least. Lower level managers should always keep upper level managers informed of their work activities.

10.Order:

For the sake of efficiency and coordination, all materials and people related to a specific kind of work should be treated as equally as possible.

11.Equity:

All employees should be treated as equally as possible.

12.Stability of tenure of personnel:

Retaining productive employees should always be a high priority of management.Recruitment and Selection Costs, as well as increased product-reject rates are usually associated with hiring new workers.

13.Initiative:

Within the limits of authority and discipline, all levels of staff should be encouraged to show initiative.

13.Espiri de corps:

Management should encourage harmony and general good feelings among employees.

D] Explain any five (5) challenges you will face in managing the ward (30mks)

-Short of Equipment

-Shortage of staffing

-Increased disease burden

-Lack of specialized personnel

-Shortage of drugs

-Shortage of stationary

-Lack of documentation by staff

-Work left to students by qualified nurses

-Demotivated workers

-Late coming by some nurses

-Dirty environment