Managing Client Care

Providing a focus on the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful first-line manager, this unique text emphasizes successful client care by addressing the role of nurses in managing quality and the available resources needed. It also discusses each of the essential components of the manager of care role, as well as the basic or core competencies required of staff nurses inherent in the direct care of clients. Thoroughly revised and updated, this 3rd edition reflects the numerous changes related to evolving management concepts — including understanding the health care system, using personal strengths most effectively, and nurturing professional integrity.

• Content focuses on client care management, rather than staff management, to go beyond basic management concepts and help those whose role will be managing quality client care.
• Essential theoretical information is covered with an emphasis on practical application.
• Application Exercises at the end of each chapter challenge readers to apply what they've just learned. A brief clinical situation is followed by questions or commands to describe the solution, based on what was learned in the chapter.
• Critical Thinking Scenarios at the end of each chapter give readers a short case study to consider and questions to test their application of knowledge.
• A competency-based format is applied throughout and is based on a research study that identifies clinical management skills needed by beginning staff nurses.
• Objectives and Key Concepts at the beginning of each chapter provide readers with a glimpse at important information contained within. Key concepts are also shown in boldface upon first mention in that chapter.
• Cartoons are provided throughout to keep readers more actively interested in the text content.

• Terrorism readiness and disaster management content has been added to prepare readers for today's most relevant issues.
• The chapter on Understanding the Context of Health has been thoroughly revised to offer readers a glimpse into the heart of the business of health care. New content in this chapter includes economic and political ties to seamless health care, nursing informatics, and technology in practice.
• The latest issues facing staff nursing are covered — including content on staff shortages, mandatory overtime, agency nurses/temps, self-preservation, and continuing education.
• Revised and updated instructor's resources are now located online for added flexibility.

The book contains two-color illustrations.

MANAGING CLIENT CARE is a practical introductory management text that helps nursing students make the transition from the classroom to clinical nursing practice. Emphasizing essential clinical management concepts and focusing on practical applications, this concise text is organized around the key competencies that entry-level staff nurses need most. It discusses understanding the work environment, working effectively within the organization, managing resources cost effectively, managing time, prioritizing responsibilities, resolving conflicts, delegating client care activities, supervising and evaluating the work of others, receiving and giving change of shift reports, transcribing physician's "orders," conducting client care conferences, and managing one's own career.

Lois F. Nelson

This book provides a broad overview of the thinking and expectations facing new nursing graduates in the management of client care in the inpatient and ambulatory care settings. It provides a theoretical as well as practical discussion concerning the competencies required to be successful in the emerging health cue environment. The competencies and skills are discussed from a framework of increasing complexity with a focus on accountability, outcome-based learning and ethical integrity. As a user-friendly resource, this book provides definition for each concept, application exercises to apply the theory, and humorous illustrations to illustrate a concept and keep the student's attention. The purpose is to prepare nursing students with the competencies and skills needed to practice effectively as an entry level client care manager. This reference is designed for nursing students preparing to enter the managed healthcare environment. Features that promote optimal learning include critical thinking scenarios and application exercises. The objectives, key concepts, and summaries for each chapter focus and remind the reader of important ideas. This is an easy to read, timely book providing the nursing student with a foundation of basic information about the management skills and competencies needed in the current healthcare environment. Practical guidance for prioritizing tasks, managing resources, and coordinating care with other interdisciplinary work groups are provided. This is a much needed resource for beginning nurses.

Wywialowski, Elizabeth F., EdD, MS, BSN, CRRN, RN (Veterans Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee)