“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions
as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”
- Dr. Denis Waitley
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Dr. Margaret Mead
Overview
Societal change is often the result of careful planning and skilled management. Theory developed on this kind of change is often categorized as planned or managed change theory. Nurses can become visible and efficient agents for planned/managed change, both in healthcare and society at large. Several viable theories and change tools exist to help guide this process. In this learning activity we will look at several powerful models that have developed from some of these change theories. These include a Planned Personal Change Model as well as the Stages of Change Model, the Appreciative Inquiry Model, the Change Equation, and so on. All of these models serve as useful guides and tools for planning change with individual clients, groups, communities, and organizations.
“Indeed, these are changing times in health care, but they are also exciting ones if nursing chooses to be proactive in its response to these changes at the individual and organizational levels. Creativity will be needed to provide new solutions to problems. Let us look at these changes as opportunities to influence decisions in our organizations. Will you choose to be reactive or proactive?” (Simon, 1999, p. 1).
Ends In View
This learning activity is intended to provide learners with the opportunity to:
1. Apply change models and methods to nursing issues and situations.
2. Examine how individual assumptions, perceptions, behaviour patterns, and supporting structures can act as barriers to change.
3.Comprehend the complexity of change within organizational, political and national cultures and systems.
4.Analyze the dynamics of planned and/or managed change at a personal, group, institutional, and national level.
1.In small groups, draw a model to illustrate the Paradoxical Theory of Change described by Beisser.
2.Participate in class discussion related to the change theories presented in the preparatory readings. How can these models be useful to nurse change agents?
3.How do the Behavior or Personal Change Models differ from the Organizational and/or Societal Change Models presented? Could they be interchangeable?
4.Appreciative Inquiry is one of the most contemporary of the theories studied in this learning activity. What unique ideas, premises, philosophy does this approach bring to nursing and society at large? Does this philosophy suit the profession of nursing? Does it seem realistic?
5.In small groups create a brief case scenerio related to nurses influencing client or societal change, applying one of the models studied. Present your case to the class.
In Reflection
1.Consider which of the models studied would be useful in your change project work for N4141.
2. How could these models be useful to you as an individual for making changes in your own life?
References
Beckhard, R. & Harris, R. (1987). Organizational transitions. 2nd ed. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Beisser, A. (1970). Paradoxical Theory of Change. www.gestalt.org/arnie.htm
Cooperrider, D. & Whitney, D. (2002) A positive revolution in change: Appreciative Inquiry. Euclid, OH: Lakeshore Publishers.
http://appreciativeinquiry.cwru.edu/uploads/whatisai.pdf
FHI. (2002). Behavior Change – A Summary of Four Major Theories. Family Health International. www.fhi.org/NR/rdonlyres/ei26vbslpsidmahhxc332vwo3g233xsqw2
2er3vofqvrfjvubwyzclvqjcbdgexyzl3msu4mn6xv5j/BCCSummaryFour MajorTheories.pdf
Simon, J. M. (1999). Change: An opportunity for creativity. Nursing Diagnosis, Apr – Jun.
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3836/is_199904/ai_n8830905/print
You are encouraged to begin to think about the type of societal context, issue and change model you wish to apply as the focus for your major assignments in this course. We will build up to this practical application of the content early in the course. Try to make it a meaningful change issue that you can actually use in your current or future practice, or that you feel passionate about.
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