Running head: CARE DELIVERY MODEL PAPER 1

Care Delivery Model Paper

Grand Canyon University: NSG-436

Maya Mendez

14 June 2020
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As the healthcare system has evolved many organizations have developed different

models to facilitate in providing safe, quality nursing care. Typically, these models will align

with the facilities nurse to patient ratio, designate individuals to perform certain tasks, assign

responsibility and authority, and will recognize who will be making the decisions to accomplish

patient care. The following paper will compare the strengths and weaknesses of two care

delivery models as well as discuss which I would choose to implement when in a particular

situation that is discussed below. In addition, I will discuss how the model of my choice will

impact the nursing budget for the unit.

Comparison of two delivery models

The functional nursing model was designed around an efficacy concept which sought to

divide labor into specific tasks and technical aspects of a job to be accomplished in a short period

of time (Huber 2018). Meaning, where usually one nurse is expected to perform multiple task, it

will now be distributed to different nurses who will each perform one or two tasks. According to

this model, for efficiency to be obtained the nurse must first identify all the tasks that need to be

completed by end of shift. Once gaining an overall idea of all the work, it is then broken down

into simpler tasks. Analyzation of each task, their time duration, and standards are all determined

to ensure the best task performance. Thus, allowing managers to have control over the plan and

the ability to evaluate the execution. This model is often favored for its clear division of labor, its

ability to enable hospitals to improve service efficiency, and control cost by requiring fewer

nurses as nurse’s aides were often trained to provide a certain level of care. However, a

disadvantage to this model is that it pulls the focus from the relationship and care aspect of

nursing as the patients are exposed to many different health care professionals whose mindsets

are on completing a task.

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The primary nursing model was developed as a result of the nursing staff experiencing

extreme frustration with their chaotic work environment and disconnect with providing holistic

care. The primary nursing model is a method of nursing practice that emphasizes comprehensive,

individualized care provided by the same nurse throughout the period of care. The primary nurse

accepts total 24-hour responsibility for a patient’s nursing care. This method is favored as it

helps the nurse establish autonomy, the opportunity to establish relationships with patients and

their support systems, and the ability to provide high quality, holistic care (Models, n.d.). A few

disadvantages of this model are; if the patient’s condition changes it can require them to be

moved to a different unit with a different nurse, but this model says that the one nurse is

responsible for them for 24 hours thus becoming a problem. Also, this method is more costly as

more registered nurses are needed.

The model I will Implement

After analyzing the functional nursing model and the primary nursing model, I would

choose to implement the primary nursing model on a 24-bed medical/surgical unit. This model

allows nurses to give direct patient care and enhance their critical thinking, collaboration,

teaching, and provide holistic patient-centered care (Huber, 2018). This model aids in building

better trusting relationships between the patients and their support system as they are the primary

point of contact. They also serve as the communicator between the patients, their doctors, and

other health care professionals. It is also said that primary nursing is believed to result in a higher

quality of nursing care, greater patient satisfaction and improved job satisfaction of nurses, make

nurses work more meaningful, and is considered to be more cost-effective (Effectiveness, n.d.).

The main reason why I choose to not implement the functional nursing model is that I believe it
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limits the growth of registered nurses. If a nurse only performs one job duty, it limits the

application of the education and training that they received.

Financial Impact

The primary nursing care if often rejected by many institutions because it is too costly.

We understand that the health care system is always striving to improve efficiency and care, but

it does come with a cost. As I do not have a specific budget, I will take into consideration my

awareness that this model is typically costly and results in the need for more nurses who can

practice with a high degree of responsibility and autonomy who can accept a patient for 24

hours. Despite the need for requiring more nurses, which ultimately means that budgeting would

have to be directed to paychecks, thus possibly pulling funding from supplies and potential

research I hope that because the nurse’s attention is solely directed on providing care to one

individual, it will allow for an improvement in patient flow and reduce the amount of time they

spend in a hospital. For this model or any model to succeed it will require the staff and

organization to be dedicated in providing safe, high-quality care while also being well-educated,

competent, and professional.

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References

Effectiveness of primary nursing in the care and satisfaction of adult inpatients: A systematic

review protocol. (n.d.). Lippincott NursingCenter | Professional Development for

Nurses. https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?

Article_ID=3598643&Journal_ID=3425880&Issue_ID=3598589

Huber, D. (2018). Leadership and Nursing Care Management. [Pageburstls]. Retrieved

from https://pageburstls.elsevier.com/#/books/9780323389662/

Models -nursing care — American nursing history. (n.d.). American Nursing

History. https://www.americannursinghistory.org/models-nursing-care