Running Head: Care Delivery Model Paper 1

Running head: CARE DELIVERY MODEL PAPER 1
Care Delivery Model
Chelsey Burbach
Grand Canyon University: NSG-436
June 9, 2020
Nurse leaders are involved in making important decisions that provide the most effective
approach of providing quality care. Implementing effective nursing practice models on nursing
units is a decision that involves the nurse leader. Nursing care delivery models allow appropriate
care to be delivered by “maximizing existing resources while meeting organizational goals and
objectives” (Huber, 2018, p. 231). Each care delivery model has its strengths and weaknesses,
because there is no exact way to structure patient care. Through these professional care models
collaboration and communication can be developed to provide the highest quality of care for
patients (Today, 2019). This paper is going to compare and contrast those strengths and
weaknesses of different care delivery models and how they can be implemented into practice.
Care Delivery Models
Functional nursing is a care model that implements technical aspects and specific tasks of
the job. The work is divided and assigned to nurses and the support staff. In using this model a
nurse identifies which tasks need to be performed during their shift and then performs them. The
strengths of this model is that it facilitates hospitals to “improve service efficiency and control
labor costs while requiring fewer RNs” (Huber, 2018, p. 232). Its weakness is that it diminishes
the nurses critical thinking and the patient-centered approach of care because it is too focused on
the tasks that the nurse needs to complete during their shift.
Team nursing is a model that uses a group of people who are led by knowledgeable
nurses. The care delivery approach is that care is provided to a group of patients through the
supervision of a team leader who coordinates a team of RNs, LPNs, and care aides. It is
“designed to make use of each member’s capabilities to meet the nursing needs of his or hers
group of clients” (Huber, 2018, p. 232). The strengths of this model is that it provides extra
surveillance for patients and a great support team for new graduate nurses. The weaknesses of
this model is having enough staff with the appropriate training and scope of practice to meet the
patient’s needs.
Team Nursing
The team nursing care model would be an exceptional and efficient model to implement
on a 24-bed medical/surgical unit. With a strong team lead the collaboration and communication
of RNs, LPNs, and care aides can provide a smoothly, functioning team that will provide the
highest quality of care and safety for each of the beds on this unit. Each team member will have
their own patient assignments. Additionally, each of the team members will be expected to assist
and support each of the other members of the team. This care model allows for the most effective
care to be provided allowing for better patient outcomes and satisfaction, while also allowing the
nurse time to document the care.
The financial impact that this care model team might have on the nursing budget for this
unit may provide a greater revenue for the unit. Even though there would need to be more people
on staff and worked into the budget for this specific unit the ability for the nursing staff to work
as a team providing quality care for patients would be a benefit financially. Patients would be
receiving the testing, or care they needed more efficiently, and the quality care would have
patients not having extended stays, which would open beds sooner allowing for more patients to
be treated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of different patient care delivery models. These models
can be fully maximized when the nurse leader understands the history of what has been done
before. This allows them to better analyze the situation and find out which care delivery model
would be appropriate to the specific unit that they are on. Then the nurse leader can then consider
the strengths and weaknesses of the models and with that make a decision regarding the most
effective model to be implemented. Through adequate communication and collaboration a nurse
lead can implement a plan that will provide nurse safety, patient safety and quality patient care.
References
Huber, D. L. (2018). Leadership and Nursing Care Management. (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier-Saunders. ISBN-13: 9780323389662
Today, A. (2019, October 03). Adapting a professional practice model - American Nurse Today.,
from https://www.myamericannurse.com/adapting-professional-practice-model/

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Running head: CARE DELIVERY MODEL PAPER 1

Care Delivery Model

Grand Canyon University: NSG-436

Care Delivery Models

nurse time to document the care.

effective model to be implemented. Through adequate communication and collaboration a nurse

Elsevier-Saunders. ISBN-13: 9780323389662

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