A clinical instructor is evaluating a student nurse’s capability to promote patient engagement. Which of the student’s actions indicates a need for further teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Introducing substitute staff with fresh perspectives can harm the unit’s culture. While introducing substitute staff can bring fresh perspectives, it can also disrupt the established team dynamics and culture. Frequent changes in staff can lead to inconsistencies in patient care and communication issues among team members. However, this is not the primary consequence of absenteeism.

Choice B Reason:

Unacceptable patient care may result. The most significant consequence of absenteeism in a nursing unit is the potential for unacceptable patient care. When nurses are absent, the remaining staff may be overworked, leading to fatigue and burnout. This can result in errors, missed care, and overall lower quality of patient care. Ensuring adequate staffing levels is crucial to maintaining high standards of care and patient safety.

Choice C Reason:

Lower personnel numbers lead to reduced salary expenses, creating a positive variance. While it is true that fewer staff members can reduce salary expenses, this is not a positive outcome in the context of healthcare. Reduced staffing can compromise patient care quality and increase the workload for the remaining staff, leading to burnout and higher turnover rates. Therefore, this is not a desirable consequence of absenteeism.

Choice D Reason:

It may encourage other team members to engage in absenteeism. Absenteeism can indeed create a negative work environment where other team members may feel justified in also being absent. This can lead to a cycle of absenteeism, further exacerbating staffing issues and negatively impacting patient care. However, this is a secondary consequence compared to the direct impact on patient care quality.

Choice A Reason:

Follower implies that the nurse manager is taking direction from others rather than leading the situation. In this context, the nurse manager is actively addressing an issue, proposing solutions, and seeking input from the staff, which are leadership behaviors. Therefore, the role of a follower does not accurately describe the nurse manager’s actions in this scenario.

Choice B Reason:

Leader is the most appropriate role for the nurse manager in this situation. By calling a staff meeting, proposing a solution, and asking for input, the nurse manager is demonstrating leadership qualities. Effective leaders engage their team in problem-solving, encourage collaboration, and guide the team towards a resolution. This approach helps in addressing the issue effectively while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Choice C Reason:

Manager refers to the administrative and organizational responsibilities of the nurse manager. While the nurse manager is indeed managing the situation, the emphasis in this scenario is on leadership. The actions described—proposing a solution and seeking staff input—highlight the nurse manager’s role as a leader rather than just a manager. Leadership involves inspiring and motivating the team, which is crucial in handling complex situations like this.

Choice D Reason:

Regulator implies a role focused on enforcing rules and policies. While maintaining standards and policies is part of a nurse manager’s responsibilities, the scenario described involves more than just regulation. The nurse manager is actively engaging with the staff to find a solution, which is a leadership activity. Therefore, the role of a regulator does not fully capture the nurse manager’s actions in this context.