One advantage of a decentralized management structure for nursing unit

One advantage of a decentralized management structure for nursing units over a centralized structure is that:

1. Communication pathways are simplified
2. Staff are not responsible for defining their roles
3. Managers handle all of the difficult decision making
4. Each staff member is accountable for evaluating the plan of care

ANSWER

ANS: 4
In decentralized management, decision making is moved down to the level of staff. It requires workers to be empowered to accept greater responsibility for the quality of client care provided. This means that each staff member is accountable for evaluating the plan of care. Communication pathways are not simplified. If decentralized decision making is in place, professional staff have a voice in identifying the RN role. Each RN on the work team is responsible for knowing his or her role and how it is to be implemented on the nursing unit. In decentralized management, there is autonomy. In other words, there is freedom to decide and act. The nurse manager does not necessarily handle the difficult decisions. Those staff members who are best informed about a problem or issue make decisions on the basis of knowledge.