Phelp LPNtoRN 6e

CHAPTER 3 • Adapting to Change 75

a small hospital is unhappy about being floated to a similar medical-surgical unit. Although they go to the assigned unit, they barely speak to the other staff nurses and display a sullen attitude when they see the supervisor. Resistance to change is important to consider not only from a personal or organiza tional point of view but also from the perspective of clients. Many of your clients will experience change, much of which may be undesirable and unwanted. These clients may resist the efforts of the healthcare system to accomplish the needed changes. Cultural Resistance Factors Predictability and linearity of change is basically a Western phenomenon. Looking at change from the Eastern perspective can be instructive. Taoist and Confucian philosophies view change as cyclic and ongoing rather than as having an end point. Life is a quest for balance and harmony within an ever-changing environment. Resistance may occur when needed changes are incompatible with cultural beliefs. For example, some people of some cultures may believe that illness is caused by diet imbalance and that certain foods in combination restore balance, even though some foods may be contraindicated in some medical conditions. Social Resistance Factors Resistance may also occur when needed changes are not seen as normal within a social group. For example, a person with chronic bronchitis does not change from their weekly social routine of playing bingo, even though the game is played in a smoke-filled room, which aggravates the bronchitis. Psychological Resistance Factors Finally, resistance to change may occur when needed changes produce anxiety sec ondary to fear of the unknown, lack of confidence, loss of control, and fear of being a burden. For example, a client with newly diagnosed diabetes is afraid to give themselves injections because they are fearful that poor technique will make the disease worse. THINKING CRITICALLY Consider a change that has occurred in your workplace or within another organization. Review the factors that increase resistance to change. What types of resistance did you observe? What strategies were used to overcome the resistance? Was the change a success or a failure? Why?

You must assess your clients’ feelings and attitudes about a particular change. You must also not impose change without regard to a person’s cultural, social, and psycho logical beliefs. Change is better perceived if a client/stakeholder is actively involved in the change process (Box 3.3). Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of the content is prohibited.

Improving Reception to Change Change will be better received if a person: •• Perceives a need for change •• Is open to change •• Has choices regarding the change •• Commits to the change process

BOX 3.3