Consider your healthcare organization and the readings from this week. Considering the lessons this week on healthcare systems, reflect on a healthcare organization where you have previously worked or had clinical experience (do not name the site).
Discuss the organization's culture and how you felt when you were in the organization over the period you were at the site.
Was it a positive culture? Why or why not?
How do you think staff, patients, and families perceived the organization? Consider all your senses in your response.
What would your recommendation for the organization be as a DNP leader?
Sample Answer
Reflecting on a large, urban, academic medical center where I had clinical experience, I can discuss its culture and how it impacted staff, patients, and families, and offer recommendations as a DNP leader.
🏥 Organizational Culture and Experience
The culture of the organization I experienced was characterized by high professionalism and intense academic pressure, but it often lacked basic psychological safety and warmth.
My Experience
When I was at the site, I felt a pervasive sense of urgency and exhaustion. While I admired the staff's dedication and clinical excellence, the environment felt emotionally sterile and transactional. The pressure to quickly turn over patients, coupled with high acuity, meant that communication was often abrupt and focused solely on tasks. I frequently felt overwhelmed by the pace and slightly intimidated by some senior staff who valued efficiency over collaboration.
Was it a Positive Culture?
No, I would not characterize it as a truly positive culture, despite its high rankings and strong academic mission.
Why Not:
Burnout was normalized: High patient loads and chronic understaffing led to widespread emotional exhaustion. Staff were often overheard complaining, and cynicism was prevalent.
Lack of Psychological Safety: Mistakes were not treated as learning opportunities but often as grounds for blame. This atmosphere discouraged staff from speaking up about system flaws or near-misses, leading to silence around safety issues.
Was it a Positive Culture?
No, I would not characterize it as a truly positive culture, despite its high rankings and strong academic mission.
Why Not:
Burnout was normalized: High patient loads and chronic understaffing led to widespread emotional exhaustion. Staff were often overheard complaining, and cynicism was prevalent.
Lack of Psychological Safety: Mistakes were not treated as learning opportunities but often as grounds for blame. This atmosphere discouraged staff from speaking up about system flaws or near-misses, leading to silence around safety issues.
Hierarchical Rigidity: The culture was extremely hierarchical, with little value placed on the input of non-physician staff or students, stifling interprofessional innovation.
👂 Perception by Staff, Patients, and Families
Perceptions of the organization were varied, heavily influenced by their role and immediate experience, often engaging all the senses.