Assessing the value of external resources

It's Monday. The day is lined up and the week is full, but the goals are pushing the edges. Targets, incentives, bottom lines-the long-term view frequently gets pushed back by daily demands of people, crises, relationships, and events. So what is a nurse executive to do? You can scream, you can pray, you can call a staff meeting, or you can call in external help-maybe all of the above. If your primary option is getting external help, how do you know whom to call, what to ask for, and how to know if you will get value for your money and time? This article explores these questions.