Week 2: Mission and Vision The mission statement . . . influences the development of an organization’s philosophy, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and rules. An organization will never be greater than the vision that guides it. —Bessie L. Marquis and Carol J. Huston, Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application Mission and vision statements articulate an organization’s core purpose and future aims. Well-crafted statements can stand the test of time, even as the environment changes and new priorities emerge. On the other hand, some adjustments may be needed if and when an organization undergoes foundational transformation. Consider the following mission statement: “Kaiser Permanente exists to provide affordable, high quality healthcare services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve” (Kaiser Permanente, n.d.). Think about the current health care environment and the types of internal and external changes that could affect the utility and appropriateness of this statement. Under what circumstances should an organization such as this one contemplate revising its mission? As a nurse leader-manager, it is critical to realize the important role of mission and vision statements in guiding an organization. In the first week of this course, you examined the planning hierarchy. This week, you consider mission and vision statements, which are at the top of the planning hierarchy because of the significant influence they exert on an organization. You practice the skills needed to craft appropriate mission and vision statements, and you consider how to develop these for maximum impact that reaches beyond the stated words to influence the plans and decisions made throughout an organization or system. Note: Over the next few weeks you will be engaging in small group discussions. These are meant to provide you with the opportunity to deeply explore the foundational concepts being presented. Much of the work you engage in moving forward will hinge upon your understanding of these concepts, hence, the small group opportunity to discuss and share. Learning Objectives Students will: · Analyze the relationship of mission and vision statements to the planning hierarchy within organizations · Analyze the process of developing mission and vision statements · Evaluate mission and vision statements Photo Credit: Nicolevanf/RooM/Getty Images Learning Resources Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Required Readings Sare, M. V., & Ogilvie, L. (2010). Strategic planning for nurses: Change management in health care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. · Review Chapter 4, “Just What Is Strategic Planning?” (pp. 57–82) · Chapter 7, “The Three Key Elements of the Strategic Planning Process: A Vision That Guides Nursing’s Future Action” (pp. 117–143) Chapter 7 addresses elements of the.

1. Week 2: Mission and Vision
The mission statement . . . influences the development of an
organization’s philosophy, goals, objectives, policies,
procedures, and rules.
An organization will never be greater than the vision that guides
it.
—Bessie L. Marquis and Carol J. Huston, Leadership Roles and
Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application
Mission and vision statements articulate an organization’s core
purpose and future aims. Well-crafted statements can stand the
test of time, even as the environment changes and new priorities
emerge. On the other hand, some adjustments may be needed if
and when an organization undergoes foundational
transformation.
Consider the following mission statement: “Kaiser Permanente
exists to provide affordable, high quality healthcare services to
improve the health of our members and the communities we
serve” (Kaiser Permanente, n.d.). Think about the current health
care environment and the types of internal and external changes
that could affect the utility and appropriateness of this
statement. Under what circumstances should an organization
such as this one contemplate revising its mission?
As a nurse leader-manager, it is critical to realize the important
role of mission and vision statements in guiding an
organization.
In the first week of this course, you examined the planning
hierarchy. This week, you consider mission and vision
statements, which are at the top of the planning hierarchy
because of the significant influence they exert on an
organization. You practice the skills needed to craft appropriate
mission and vision statements, and you consider how to develop
these for maximum impact that reaches beyond the stated words
to influence the plans and decisions made throughout an
organization or system.

2. Note: Over the next few weeks you will be engaging in small
group discussions. These are meant to provide you with the
opportunity to deeply explore the foundational concepts being
presented. Much of the work you engage in moving forward will
hinge upon your understanding of these concepts, hence, the
small group opportunity to discuss and share.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
· Analyze the relationship of mission and vision statements to
the planning hierarchy within organizations
· Analyze the process of developing mission and vision
statements
· Evaluate mission and vision statements
Photo Credit: Nicolevanf/RooM/Getty Images
Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please
click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the
Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Sare, M. V., & Ogilvie, L. (2010). Strategic planning for nurses:
Change management in health care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and
Bartlett.
· Review Chapter 4, “Just What Is Strategic Planning?” (pp. 57–
82)
· Chapter 7, “The Three Key Elements of the Strategic Planning
Process: A Vision That Guides Nursing’s Future Action” (pp.
117–143)
Chapter 7 addresses elements of the strategic planning process,
which includes mission and vision.
Cady, S. H., Wheeler, J. V., DeWolf, J., & Brodke, M. (2011).
Mission, vision, and values: What do they say? Organization
Development Journal, 29(1), 63–78.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

3. This article addresses research on mission, vision, and values
from 300 different organizations.
Desmidt, S., Prinzie, A., & Decramer, A. (2011). Looking for
the value of mission statements: A meta-analysis of 20 years of
research. Management Decision, 49(3), 468–483.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article looks at the relationship of organizational mission
and financial performance. It includes a discussion of what a
mission statement is and the purpose(s) it serves.
Hirota, S., Kubo, K., Miyajima, H., Hong, P., & Won Park, Y.
(2010). Corporate mission, corporate policies and business
outcomes: Evidence from Japan. Management Decision, 48(7),
1134–1153.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The authors examine the implications of the mission statement
for organizational practices and performance.
King, D. L., Case, C. J., & Premo, K. M. (2012). An
international mission statement comparison: United States,
France, Germany, Japan, and China. Academy of Strategic
Management Journal, 11(2), 93–119.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the content of mission statements,
stakeholder involvement, and the development of goals and
objectives.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013b). Case study: Mountain
View Health Center [Interactive media]. Retrieved from CDN
database. (NURS 6241)
This interactive multimedia piece presents a case study of
Mountain View Health Center, with information about the types
of activities performed there, organizational structure, strategic

4. priorities, and financial allocations. You will use this as a
resource for Discussion 2.
Optional Resources
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2015). Leadership roles and
management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
· Chapter 7, “Strategic and Operational Planning” (pp. 138–161)
Review as needed.
Desmidt, S., & Prinzie, A. A. (2011). The organization’s
mission statement: Give up hope or resuscitate? A search for
evidence-based recommendations. Advances in Health Care
Management, 10, 25–41.
Discussion 1: The Influence of Mission and Vision on Planning
As you read the following mission statements, think about what
you might deduce about each organization:
· “Nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all,”
American Nurses Association
· “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human
suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of
volunteers and the generosity of donors,” American Red Cross
· “The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the
highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of
warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit,”
Southwest Airlines
· “To inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by
providing the best care to every patient through integrated
clinical practice, education and research,” Mayo Clinic
· “Provide telehealth solutions and executive medical research
management to enhance and support military healthcare and
promote innovative medical technologies,” Telemedicine &
Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)
· “Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and
make it universally accessible and useful,” Google

5. An organization’s mission describes its core purpose. In
partnership with the organization’s vision, which communicates
a future-focused direction, the mission provides a basis for
planning and decision making at all levels of the organization.
For this Discussion, you compare mission and vision statements
from multiple organizations and consider how these statements
relate to planning.
To prepare:
· Review the information related to the planning hierarchy and
mission and vision statements in this week’s Learning
Resources.
· Research the mission and vision statements of three different
types of organizations: a for-profit health care organization, a
not-for-profit health care organization, and an organization
outside of health care. As you examine the organizations’
mission and vision statements, consider the following:
· How effectively do the mission statements articulate the
organization’s purpose?
· How effectively do the vision statements reflect future aims?
· Do the mission and vision statements convey who (which
groups) the organizations serve? Do they indicate obligations to
various stakeholders?
· Are the statements an appropriate length?
· What do you glean about how leaders in health care and in
other industries envision and convey mission and vision?
· What do you discern about the interdisciplinary nature of
crafting mission and vision statements by looking across
organizations, including those outside of health care?
· Identify key insights you have gained by comparing the
mission and vision statements of these three organizations.
· Consider how an organization’s mission and vision relate to
the planning hierarchy. For each organization you have
selected, think about how the mission and vision could or
should influence planning. What elements of each mission and
vision stand out as especially significant?