Human resources (HR) is a form of management key to serving the community safely and effectively. It includes diversity, inclusion, equitable treatment and employee satisfaction in unique work environments.
The HR department plays a critical role in managing companies in every industry. Therefore, HR leaders in healthcare organizations need to know about the various aspects of the practice and familiarize themselves with the HR side of the job and the healthcare industry.
Human Resources in the Healthcare Environment
An Oracle article indicates how critical HR is to the healthcare system: “In an industry where hiring, retaining, and developing employees can be hugely challenging, the importance of the HR function can’t be overstated. Healthcare HR teams must deal with complex government regulations and union contracts, as well as steadily rising labor costs. They also face unique challenges related to physical safety, work stress, and understaffing. It’s critically important that these teams help their organizations navigate these challenges.”
Professionals in nurse leadership roles must understand the essential elements of HR and how a partnership between the two areas strengthens healthcare organizations. Nurses must often step up and manage their facility while maintaining patient care.
Those knowledgeable in the HR process can help other nurses find solutions to leadership and management problems within the organization. They are highly respected individuals who help provide a sense of community to those they serve.
Correlation Between Nursing and HR Processes
Nursing leaders can help optimize the HR process. They know how the healthcare profession works and can advise individuals who work in the HR department — staff less aware of the intricacies of healthcare.
Nurses have intimate knowledge of their care unit. As a result, they can help HR understand how to recruit the candidate best equipped for a particular job. This collaboration is how most healthcare facilities can retain their employees. The HR department works with established nurse leaders to better understand the needs and operations of the nursing team.
Additionally, HR officials can help nurses by implementing thorough training. This assistance allows them to optimally prepare for the often-stressful workload within the healthcare setting. It is essential to understand that organizations have unique training programs that differ for every nursing professional.
A lack of teamwork between nurse leaders and the healthcare HR department would lead to severely understaffed hospitals and clinics. When the entire facility contributes, it creates an inclusive environment.
Strengthen Your Nursing Practice With a Master’s Degree
One way to strengthen your nursing practice as a nurse leader is to further your career and earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Those who enroll in the online RN to MSN in Administrative Leadership program at Northeastern State University (NSU) will learn about the role of HR in advanced settings such as acute care and other clinical environments.
Students will help improve the quality of patient care for adult gerontology and thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape. This intensive program, completed in as few as 24-36 months, allows students to examine global health issues, vulnerable populations, clinical nurse leadership roles and organizational leadership roles in the management of HR with an emphasis on organizational efficiency.
For example, the Policy, Ethics, & Quality course covers various factors that impact healthcare delivery management regarding global health issues and vulnerable populations. In the Human Resource Management course, students focus on planning and implementing HR management in healthcare.
Each future healthcare administrator will obtain the knowledge required to enter influential roles such as director of nursing, chief nursing officer and nursing supervisor to aid in HR management.
Learn more about Northeastern State University’s online RN to MSN – Administrative Leadership program.
