Citation: Kalisch, B. & Begeny, S. (2010). Preparation of nursing students for change and innovation. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 32(2), 157–167.
Overview: This critical question influenced this study: How do we prepare the next generation of nurses who will need to adapt and innovate in the changing healthcare delivery system? To respond to this question, the study examines “the information processing styles of nursing students in baccalaureate programs and also the extent to which the current nursing educational system promotes the development of creativity, an action orientation, and a willingness to change to prepare them for the demands of the health care system” (p. 158). The Organizational Engineering Model is used in this study. This model describes four information processing styles: reactive simulator, logical processor, hypothetical analyzer, and relational innovator. The sample included 271 freshmen, sophomores, and seniors in two baccalaureate nursing programs. The study used a validated survey, I-Opt, to determine preference in task completion, change, and directions (performer, conservator, perfector, and changer). The study concludes that schools of nursing recruit students who use the conservator information style, which focuses on “outcome certainty and deliberate response” (p. 157). In addition to frequently recruiting conservator students, schools of nursing are graduating students who are conservators, so the students have not changed their processing style by the time of program completion.
Application: Change is critical in clinical practice and in leadership and management. Understanding how nurses respond to change can help to determine if interventions are needed to improve change response. According to this study, though the sample is small and more research is required, nurses do have a problem with their change response. As noted in this study, the nursing education report (2010) by Benner et al. also identifies this as a major concern.
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How does your typical response to change relate to the styles described in this study?
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Do you think you need to improve in how you respond to change? If so, why and how?
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What recommendations would you give to your nursing program to help students better understand and respond to change? Provide specific examples.
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