Determining opportunities requires a strong working knowledge of the unit, the department, organization and the external forces that affect the practice and care environment. This phase of the SWOT Analysis involves gathering data, completing a needs assessment, gathering financial information, technology changes and social and cultural trends. It is important to identify the types of information that will be required, and to seek out the most efficient sources for collecting that information. Many planning efforts have failed simply because there was too much data and the tasks became overwhelming. Goal setting and strategy development need not be difficult and complex.
Simplicity is the most effective way to keep a plan focused and on track.
It is critical to the survival of organizations that they recognize the creative and innovative talent at every level. The focus of purpose for all health care is successful individual health care management. The majority of work related to this purpose is done on patient care units, in clinics, emergency departments, operating rooms, long term care units, specialty units, etc. The best strategy for the future is to involve those who are most affected by the changes. The long term care nursing executive and the staff nurse do make a difference in patient care and will make a significant difference in the planning of the future delivery of cost effective quality patient care.