Quite often, nurse leaders are faced with ethical dilemmas, such as those associated
with choices between competing needs and limited resources. Resources are finite, and
competition for those resources occurs daily in all organizations. For example, the use of 12-
hour shifts has been a strategy to retain nurses. However, evidence suggests that as nurses work more hours in a shift, they
commit more errors. How do effective leaders find a balance between the needs of the
organization and the needs of ensuring quality, effective, and safe patient care? In this
Discussion, you will reflect on a national healthcare issue and examine how competing
needs may impact the development of polices to address that issue. To Prepare: • Review
the Resources and think about the national healthcare issue/stressor you previously
selected for study in Module 1. • Reflect on the competing needs in healthcare delivery as
they pertain to the national healthcare issue/stressor you previously examined. Post
an explanation of how competing needs, such as the needs of the workforce, resources, and
patients, may impact the development of policy. Then, describe any specific competing
needs that may impact the national healthcare
issue/stressor you selected. What are the impacts, and how might policy address these
competing needs? Be specific and provide examples.

Sample Solution