Discussion: Developing a Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives As addressed in this week’s Learning Resources, an organization’s philosophy statement derives from its mission and indicates the values and beliefs that steer decision making. An organization’s philosophy statement should be used to develop goals and objectives that lead to assured action. As effective organizations recognize, “setting specific goals in a clear and compelling way—and insisting that people work together to achieve them—is the best way to get results” (Ashkenas, 2012, para. 9). This Discussion builds on the Week 2 Discussion 2, as you create a philosophy statement, goals, and objectives for Mountain View Health Center, the organization featured in the case study introduced last week. You will continue to work within the same small group. Note: You will develop an individual philosophy statement, goals, and objectives independently. Through the collegial exchange that follows, you will offer each other suggestions for refinement. To prepare: Review information on philosophy statements, goals, and objectives in Chapter 7 of the Marquis and Huston text and in the other Learning Resources. Review the Mountain View Health Center case study presented in this week’s media, and reflect on the mission and vision statements you developed for Discussion 2 in Week 2. Conduct additional research as necessary to strengthen your understanding of the process for creating a philosophy statement and developing goals and objectives and to deepen your thinking about the organization. For instance, you may research organizations with similarities to Mountain View and examine their philosophy statements, goals, and objectives. Draft a philosophy statement for Mountain View Health Center. Craft at least one goal and at least one related objective to operationalize the philosophy. Consider what you have learned about the importance of the philosophy statement and the process of developing one, as well as the significance of and distinctions between goals and objectives. Post a philosophy statement for Mountain View Health Center, at least one goal, and at least one related objective. Offer insights you have gained about the process of developing a philosophy statement, as well as the significance of and distinctions between organizational goals and objectives. Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses. Consider the following: Are the philosophy statements, goals, and objectives clearly written and easy to understand? How well does the philosophy statement align with the mission and vision statements posted in Discussion 2 of Week 2? Does it reflect accepted values of the organization? Are the goals and objectives specific, measureable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound? How well do the philosophy statements, goals, and objectives reflect the stakeholders? Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their philo.

1. Discussion: Developing a Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives
As addressed in this week’s Learning Resources, an
organization’s philosophy statement derives from its mission
and indicates the values and beliefs that steer decision making.
An organization’s philosophy statement should be used to
develop goals and objectives that lead to assured action.
As effective organizations recognize, “setting specific goals in a
clear and compelling way—and insisting that people work
together to achieve them—is the best way to get results”
(Ashkenas, 2012, para. 9).
This Discussion builds on the Week 2 Discussion 2, as you
create a philosophy statement, goals, and objectives for
Mountain View Health Center, the organization featured in the
case study introduced last week.
You will continue to work within the same small group. Note:
You will develop an individual philosophy statement, goals, and
objectives independently. Through the collegial exchange that
follows, you will offer each other suggestions for refinement.
To prepare:
Review information on philosophy statements, goals, and
objectives in Chapter 7 of the Marquis and Huston text and in
the other Learning Resources.
Review the Mountain View Health Center case study presented
in this week’s media, and reflect on the mission and vision
statements you developed for Discussion 2 in Week 2.
Conduct additional research as necessary to strengthen your
understanding of the process for creating a philosophy
statement and developing goals and objectives and to deepen
your thinking about the organization. For instance, you may

2. research organizations with similarities to Mountain View and
examine their philosophy statements, goals, and objectives.
Draft a philosophy statement for Mountain View Health Center.
Craft at least one goal and at least one related objective to
operationalize the philosophy.
Consider what you have learned about the importance of the
philosophy statement and the process of developing one, as well
as the significance of and distinctions between goals and
objectives.
Post a philosophy statement for Mountain View Health Center,
at least one goal, and at least one related objective. Offer
insights you have gained about the process of developing a
philosophy statement, as well as the significance of and
distinctions between organizational goals and objectives.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses. Consider the
following:
Are the philosophy statements, goals, and objectives clearly
written and easy to understand?
How well does the philosophy statement align with the mission
and vision statements posted in Discussion 2 of Week 2? Does it
reflect accepted values of the organization?
Are the goals and objectives specific, measureable, attainable,
relevant, and time-bound?
How well do the philosophy statements, goals, and objectives
reflect the stakeholders?
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days
by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their philosophy
statements, goals, and objectives. Suggest opportunities for
refinement.
Required Readings
Cara, C. M., Nyberg, J. J., & Brousseau, S. (2011). Fostering

3. the coexistence of caring philosophy and economics in today’s
health care system. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 35(1), 6–
14.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The article addresses caring as a part of mission and philosophy
and the benefits of this for nursing satisfaction and
performance, patient satisfaction, quality of care, and cost
reduction.
Lorenzi, N. M. (2011). AMIA’s realigned strategic plan. Journal
of American Medical Informatics Association, 18(2), 203–208.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
As you read this article, consider the process used to set goals
and evaluate the extent to which the identified goals are
specific, measureable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
Kenny, G. (2012). From the stakeholder viewpoint: Designing
measurable objectives. Journal of Business Strategy, 33(6), 40–
46.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Measurable objectives are an important part of the strategic
planning process, yet many organizations struggle with
formulating good objectives. In this article, the author suggests
strategies for developing better objectives, which will then
facilitate the planning process.
Urbanski, J., Baskel, M., & Martelli, M. (2011). Strategic
planning—A plan for excellence for South Haven Health
System. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 35(3), 227–234.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The article addresses stakeholder involvement as a key
component of South Haven Health System’s success in strategic
planning and describes how the system develops goals and

4. objectives.
Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Hong, Y., Labarthe, D., Mozaffarian, D.,
Appel, L. J., Van Horn, L., . . . Rosamond, W. D. (2010).
Defining and setting national goals for cardiovascular health
promotion and disease reduction: The American Heart
Association’s strategic impact goal through 2020 and beyond.
Retrieved from
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/121/4/586.full.pdf+html
As you read this report, consider the process used to set goals
and evaluate the extent to which the identified goals are
specific, measureable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
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 an
organization, with information about the types of activities
performed there, organizational structure, strategic priorities,
and financial allocations. You will use this as a resource for this
week’s Discussion.
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.
Sare, M., & Ogilvie, L. (2010). Strategic planning for nurses:
Change management in health care.Sudbury, MA: Jones and
Bartlett.
Chapter 7, “The Three Key Elements of the Strategic Planning
Process: A Vision That Guides Nursing’s Future Action” (pp.
117–143)

5. Review as needed, focusing on the information about goals and
objectives.
Kramer, M., Schmalenberg, C., & Maguire, P. (2010). Nine
structures and leadership practices essential for a magnetic
(healthy) work environment. Nursing Administration Quarterly,
34(1), 4–17.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The authors discuss the clinical environment of nursing and the
leadership practices needed to promote quality patient care
outcomes.