VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION REFORM: NURSING SERVICE PRIORITIES FOR CHANGE (HEALTH CARE REFORM).
Contributors: Walden University.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 123
Subjects: Health Sciences, Health Care Management.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is beginning to transform in response to proposed health care reform initiatives and efficiency analyses to assess the stability of the VHA to remain competitive in the health care industry. Imminent VHA infrastructure changes include enhancing access, eliminating "red-tape", and decentralizing the organizational matrix with delegation of authority throughout a revised network structure. Redesigning, restructuring, and reengineering efforts are most effectively embraced when strategies for change are collaboratively identified and prioritized. Leadership within Nursing Service has the opportunity to play a crucial role in facilitating effective reform initiatives. As influenced by the transformation of the VHA system, the purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize changes in VHA Nursing Service programs over the next three years.

The Delphi technique was used in this descriptive study design. A panel of Nursing Service administrative experts nominated by the Chief, Nursing Service from agencies located in the Southeastern region were asked to voluntarily participate in this study. Anonymity of responses was maintained. The panel of experts consisted of 29 nursing administrative experts. Two research questions were described: (a) what changes will respondents identify for Nursing Service programs? and, (b) What changes will respondents prioritize for VHA Nursing Service programs?.

Demographic data were summarized to describe the participants. Data was presented using descriptive statistics. Findings were based on three Delphi rounds after which consensus among the participants was obtained. The response rate was 72.5%. The final round yielded 20 suggestions for change that were identified and prioritized. The findings were presented as group data and described according to position held and years of experience with the VHA system.

This study offered VHA nursing leaders in the Southeastern Region of the VHA system the opportunity to develop a unified vision for change that is consistent with the overall mission of the "new" VHA.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-11, Section: B, page: 6019.

Thesis (PH.D.)--WALDEN UNIVERSITY, 1995.

School code: 0543.