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Assessment 3 Instructions: Budget Negotiations and
Communication
Write a 3-5 page executive summary that justifies the operating budget you prepared in Assessment 2.
Introduction
Note: Complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.
Negotiating budgets and communicating financial needs to stakeholders are vital skills for nurse leaders. Given
today’s numerous constraints on funding and a highly competitive environment, the ability to win support for
your budget proposals hinges on being able to present a compelling argument based on well-documented
needs, accurate financial information, and a justifiable business case.
This assessment provides an opportunity for you to examine the mission and goals of a health care organization,
in order to justify a budget proposal. A persuasive argument requires thoughtful justification and rationale for
the expenses required to support your proposal. A proposal that supports the organization’s mission and goals
strengthens your argument and is much more likely to get you what you need.
In every health care organization, dollars are scarce and the budget process is carefully scrutinized at every level.
Nurse leaders must be business-savvy. They must be able to make a compelling case for why every budget line
item and every dollar on a budget supports the mission and goals of the unit and the organization. This means
that nurse leaders must be able to think in terms of the
business of health care and be able to present a business
proposal or plan with thorough and thoughtful justification and rationale for expenses. The business plan should
present accurate, factual data and costs, and should also be concise and clearly organized.
Note: Complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.
Preparation
The financial department has reviewed your unit’s operating budget and has asked you to submit an executive
summary that provides support for your budget proposal. Your challenge is to position your unit favorably within
an environment of competing demands for limited funding.
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your
understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss
them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community.
Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or
submitted as part of your assessment.
Consider the operating budget you developed in Assessment 2.
How would you justify your budget to executive leaders?
How would you link your budget to the organization’s goals and objectives?
How would you propose to meet productivity goals while staying within budget?
The following resources are required to complete the assessment.
APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX]. Use this tutorial for your executive summary.
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8/28/22, 8:09 PM Assessment 3 Instructions: Budget Negotiations and …
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Requirements
​Note: The following requirements correspond to the grading criteria in the assessment scoring guide. Be
sure that your executive summary addresses each point, at a minimum. You may also want to read the Guiding
Questions: Budget Negotiations and Communication [DOCX] to better understand how each criterion will be
assessed.
Write an executive summary of the operating budget you prepared in Assessment 2 that makes a compelling
case for why funds should be allocated for your budget.
Outline a strategic plan that ensures profitability and fiscal success.
Present a plan to meet staff productivity goals, while staying within budget parameters.
Justify equipment and service costs.
Analyze department, unit, or project alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
Write clearly and concisely, using correct grammar and mechanics.
Integrate relevant and credible sources of evidence to support your assertions, correctly formatting
citations and references using current APA style.
Additional Requirements
Format your summary using APA style.
Use the APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] to help you in writing and formatting your summary. Be sure to
include:
A title page and reference page. An abstract is not required.
Appropriate section headings.
A minimum of five properly formatted citations and references.
Your summary should be 3–5 pages in length, not including the title page and reference page.
Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save this learning activity to your ePortfolio.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course
competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 1: Design an operating budget that incorporates variances or discretionary spending.
Outline a strategic plan that ensures profitability and fiscal success.
Competency 2: Develop a plan for managing the labor force, within the parameters of the budget and
productivity.
Present a plan to meet staff productivity goals, while staying within budget parameters.
Competency 4: Determine the equipment and services needed to maintain seamless patient or client
care.
Justify equipment and service costs.
Competency 5: Apply financial principles to a strategic plan for achieving organizational goals and fiscal
success.
Analyze department, unit, or project alignment with an organization’s mission and goals.
Competency 6: Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, in an appropriate form and style,
consistent with applicable organizational, professional, and scholarly standards.
Write clearly and concisely, using correct grammar and mechanics.
Integrate relevant and credible sources of evidence to support your assertions, correctly formatting
citations and references using APA style