Mission Statement
Making a life choice at a later age, such as changing to a new career field, can be wrought with anguish and confusion as well as excitement and anticipation. Knowing that this decision may change the routine, future, and even financial status of the individual and family members, either temporarily or for a lifetime can be daunting. Once that decision is made, and by putting into perspective the reason for selecting the career choice with the use of a mission statement, one can put the ideas in an order that can be understood and provide a direction for that goal.
The purpose of a mission statement is to provide one with a purpose, by declaring desired values, in order to meet a need (Radtke, 1998). Addressing these areas not only addresses the purpose, but also can provide inspiration, commitment, innovation and courage to the author (Radtke, 1998). Following is the author’s mission statement and the explanation of that statement.
Mission Statement will show dedication to the continual growth in new knowledge and adapting of acquired knowledge as it relates to the healthcare industry and information technology. Primarily, providing patient advocacy and the education and care of the patient in a changing healthcare environment through one’s competency, leadership skills, management skills, and diversity.
Explanation
Purpose
The purpose, as it relates to this mission statement, is the dedication to continual growth in new knowledge and the adapting of acquired knowledge as it relates to the healthcare industry and information technology. Tim Porter-O’Grady (2003) points out that knowledge is the one asset that an individual possesses that can be transported with them from job to job and place to place. In this case, increasing, expanding, and adapting of knowledge will increase the worth of the asset of that individual for future employment and even for life experiences. This knowledge will be useful in the workforce as it adapts to meet the need of the patient within the healthcare industry.
Need
The need in the mission statement that requires to be fulfilled is one of providing patient advocacy and the education and care of the patient in the changing healthcare setting. Porter-O’Grady (2003) points out that, “Much of the aftercare following procedures is now rendered in the patient’s own environment instead of in the healthcare facility, shifting accountability for subsequent procedure and activity from professional caregivers to patients and their significant others” (p. 105). Transporting of new knowledge to the healthcare setting by the individual can assist by making sure that the patient is cared for and even educated to assist in their own care. As a patient advocate, one should ensure that the appropriate training of the patient, with the most current information, should be in such a manner to motivate the patient to be compliant in their treatment, which in turn will ensure a positive outcome.
Values
The values that the author would like to carry to the workforce are competency, leadership skills, management skills, and understanding diversity. All of these values are important in fulfilling the actual need of the patient. In a study by Timmerick (2000), he found that many of those that promoted to management positions were lacking in formal managerial training. Continual improvement and acquiring of knowledge in the competency of the art of patient care; leadership and management skills when working in the healthcare environment; and the understanding of the diversity of the patient and the employees will go a long way in meeting and fulfilling the need and the purpose of the mission.
Upon reflecting on this paper, the author did not address the comment made by Kirsse Endale Zemedhun in the paper. He mentioned that people might make career changes during times of economic difficulty. There is agreement with him; it is not the reason for the selection of a new career by the author. As a nurse, securing a employment is not difficult. Over the years interests change, although the decision to change career is still in healthcare, current interests are not the same as when younger.
Making a life choice comes with many decisions. These decisions may include the altering of one’s life style and economics. It affects not only the individual that is making the life choice, but also the family members and significant others. Once a choice is made, developing a mission statement can keep the individual (and all those concerned) on track to engage and accomplish the goal.
References
Porter-O'Grady, T. (2003, February). A different age for leadership, Part 1. JONA, 33(2), 105-110.
Radtke, J. (1998). Strategic Communications for Nonprofit Organizations: Seven Steps to Creating a Successful Plan. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc. (Excerpted and reprinted in How to Write a Mission Statement, pp. 1-13, by Radtke, J. 1998, The Grantsmanship Center).
Timmreck, T. C. (2000). Use of the classical functions of management by health services midmanagers. Health Care Manager, 19(2), 50-67.