HRM3701 Assignment 3 Semester 1 Memo | Due 2 May 2025

HRM3701 Assignment 3 Semester 1 Memo | Due 2 May 2025. All questions fully answered. What should Barbara do? Barbara Wilson is a registered nurse who has been employed by Hope Regional Medical Centre for the past eight years. For the first six years, Barbara worked as a nurse in the neurological ward. She enjoyed working in this area, and particularly enjoyed her daily personal interaction with the patients. After a few years of irregular schedules and long shifts, she decided she needed a change, and began working as a theatre nurse in the operating room. Initially, Barbara was excited about the adjustment to her normal routine and looked forward to slowing down a bit. However, one year into her job in the operating room, Barbara began to find her work monotonous, and was easily bored. She dreaded getting up in the morning and going to work, and looked forward to her days off. She began to miss her years of working in the neurological ward, and longed for a way to integrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities she had gained and enjoyed by being a nurse, in the job that suited her best. In the neurological ward, Barbara was responsible for putting in and monitoring IVs; checking patient charts; providing care, food and medication; dressing changes; bed baths; taking care of patients' questions and concerns; and so forth. She would also participate in the entire after surgery care, consult with patients on pain and symptom management, walking after surgery, and coordinated home care. Patients would also convey words of gratitude to Barbara, and she would receive recognition from the hospital for a job well done, which reinforced the work that she did. Barbara made decisions for the patients based on her knowledge of the medical field. She prioritised patient care and worked one-on-one with the patients. She received instant feedback from the patients in some cases, and knew quickly whether patients were satisfied with their care and their experience at the hospital. In the operating room, on rare occasions Barbara would put in catheters, position patients on operating tables, and basically follow the doctors' instructions during surgery. Her tasks were limited to the time spent in surgery. Patients were only in the operating room for limited periods of time, leaving little time for Barbara to get to know them and to participate in their care. Barbara played an integral role in the patients’ hospital experience, although on a personal level she felt that she did not contribute enough of herself to the task at hand, as she mostly had to stand around and wait for instructions from the surgeon. She also felt that there was a lack of communication between her peers. Barbara had to take a back seat to the surgeons in the operating room, and her work was very rigidly decided by the operating surgeon who made all the decisions on what was to take place, at what time. If no operations were scheduled, Barbara had little (if any) work to do. Barbara received no feedback from patients for her work, as they were sometimes even unaware that she was in the operating room. She also received no feedback from her supervisor. 1. Critically analyse the key factors that led to Barbara’s job dissatisfaction after being transferred from the neurological ward to the operating room. (6) Assessment criteria To answer this question, you need to compare the neurological ward and the operating room tasks while also considering (1) the nature of Barbara’s tasks and responsibilities in the operating room versus the neurological ward, (2) the mismatch between Barbara’s initial expectations and the reality of her role in the operating room. 2. Using Hackman’s and Oldham’s job characteristics theory, compare the job/role of the neurological ward to that of the operating room. (16) Assessment criteria To answer this question, you need to apply Hackman and Oldham’s job characteristics theory/model and differentiate between the two roles (i.e. the neurological ward and the operating room) that Barbara undertakes under the core dimensions of this model. Tip: It is easy to compare two or more things when you use a table format to complete the task. 3. Synthesise the information from Barbara’s two roles to explain how Hope Regional Medical Centre could apply job enrichment techniques to improve Barbara’s job satisfaction and engagement? Suggest potential modifications in Barbara’s current role in the operating room. (6) Assessment criteria To answer this question, you need to consolidate the information you have provided in question 2 to propose suggestions of how to enrich Barbara’s current role in the operating room using job enrichment strategies. 4. Evaluate Barbara’s motivation and job satisfaction using relevant theories of motivation (10) Assessment criteria To answer this question, you need to apply and critically evaluate at least two motivation theories in which you explain the decline in Barbara’s motivation and job satisfaction. You then need to further discuss how these two theories explain Barbara’s perceived lack of fulfilment in her role in the operating room. 5. Critically analyse the importance of feedback and communication in Barbara’s work environment, and recommend methods for improving these aspects (5) Assessment criteria To answer this question, you need to critically evaluate the role of feedback in Barbara’s motivation and professional development. You need to also discuss the communication challenges Barbara faces in the operating room and suggest ways in which communication can be improved with supervisors and colleagues. 6. The management at Hope Regional Medical Centre is aware of the effect of its decision to transfer Barbara and have decided to review the career development opportunities within the hospital. How could the hospital have better supported Barbara’s career development, especially in terms of role rotation or continuous learning opportunities? Discuss the importance of providing opportunities for personal growth and development in retaining valuable employees within healthcare organisations. (3) Assessment criteria To answer this question, you need to discuss how the organisational culture and work environment at Hope Regional Medical Centre may influence Barbara’s job satisfaction and of her professional identity. You need to further consider the implications of a culture that does not provide adequate recognition, feedback or employee development opportunities. 7. On a personal level, what strategies can Barbara implement to cope with her job dissatisfaction, and how can she communicate her concerns effectively to her supervisor? (4) Assessment criteria To answer this question, you need to suggest personal strategies Barbara can use to address her dissatisfaction. Additionally, explain how she can approach her supervisor to express her concerns constructively, including the benefits of open communication in her professional environment. Total: 50