A charge nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about the use of critical pathways. Which of the following should the charge nurse include?

A. This behavior demonstrates ineffective followership. While identifying problems is important, an effective follower should also contribute to finding solutions and taking action. Merely pointing out problems without offering solutions or participating in problem-solving can be seen as passive or unhelpful, as it does not contribute to resolving the issues or improving the organization.
B. Recognizing one’s strengths and weaknesses is a characteristic of effective followership. Self- awareness allows staff members to understand their role, improve their performance, and contribute

more effectively to the team. It indicates a proactive approach to personal and professional development, which is aligned with positive followership.
C. Engaging in open and honest communication is a sign of effective followership. It promotes transparency, trust, and collaboration within the team. Effective communication helps address issues, improve processes, and foster a positive work environment, which is essential for productive followership.
D. Demonstrating moral courage by not fearing rejection or ridicule when standing up for what is right is a sign of effective followership. It reflects commitment to ethical standards and a willingness to contribute positively to the organization, even in the face of potential personal risk.

A. Nurse-patient ratios refer to the number of patients assigned to a nurse at any given time. While maintaining optimal nurse-patient ratios is crucial for patient care quality and nurse workload management, it is not directly related to the concept of intellectual capital.
B. Centralized staffing involves managing staffing needs and scheduling from a central point to ensure coordination and efficiency across departments. While centralized staffing can improve organizational efficiency and care coordination, it does not directly address the concept of increasing overall organizational improvement through intellectual capital.
C. According to the NIC Theory, intellectual capital is crucial for improving organizational performance. An increase in knowledge—whether at the individual, group, or organizational level—directly contributes to overall improvement. Enhanced knowledge and skills among nursing staff lead to better decision-making, innovation, and overall quality of care, thereby positively impacting organizational outcomes.
D. Adherence to budget-based staffing involves staffing levels and allocation based on budgetary constraints. While important for financial management and resource allocation, budget-based staffing does not directly relate to the concept of increasing organizational improvement through intellectual capital.