Introduction: For your project in this unit, you will be developing what is known as a strategic management action plan (MAP). When all the strategic planning is done, it is time for management action planning based upon our strategies. This is where many healthcare organizations of all types fall short. The same level of effort that went into creating the strategic plan needs to continue as we take action, measure progress, and reassess over time. Management action planning is a step-by-step approach developed to help healthcare leaders plan the action steps that will lead to positive change for our organizations.

The strategic plan sets the direction for us, and our MAPs get the work done, turning strategy into reality. Developing a MAP is a six-step process, and you will actually be practicing this MAP process as you create your project. Refer to the steps in your textbook for guidance. Some suggested MAP topics are provided here, and you are certainly free to propose your own topic. Perhaps you will choose something that truly needs to be addressed in your own organization. You may even find the MAP to be a valuable tool as you lead your own organization.

Suggested health care subjects include the topics listed below. Please select one of these topics, or a topic of your own choosing. Focus on identified problems and improvement opportunities, key issues for planning, and implementation via your MAP components.

Nursing Recruitment and Retention in Health Care

Continuing Education Challenges

Patient Care Technology

Staff Safety on Duty

Patient Safety in Hospitals

Stakeholder Relationships

Community Education Programs

Disaster Preparedness

Medical Director Involvement

Quality Improvement Program for Health Care

Patient Satisfaction

Rural Health Issues

Funding for Hospital Programs

Neonatal/Pediatric Services

Your project should be a minimum of three to four pages in length and should include a cover page and reference page (cover and reference pages do not count toward the minimum page requirement). You need to include at least one graph, table, or chart to identify, analyze, and interpret your data for key issues concerning your MAP components. Also, show how this information and technology supports your MAP components. To supplement your MAP, you should include at least four sources, one should be from the CSU Online Library, and you can include your textbook. References and citations must be provided using APA style. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.