After having worked on an inpatient hospital unit for a month, a newly licensed nurse tells the nurse manager that she is not sure she can do the job any more due to stress and a feeling of incompetence.
Which of the following statements by the nurse manager is an appropriate response?

Choice A rationale

Interprofessional collaboration is defined by the synergistic integration of diverse clinical perspectives to optimize patient outcomes. When healthcare professionals from various disciplines share their expertise during care planning, they foster a holistic approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social needs of the client. This open communication is a core competency that reduces medical errors and ensures that the plan of care is comprehensive, unified, and centered specifically on the individual needs of the patient.

Choice B rationale

Working independently, often referred to as multidisciplinary silos, contradicts the fundamental principles of interprofessional teamwork. While each professional possesses unique skills, a lack of integration leads to fragmented care and potential conflicts in treatment goals. Coordination requires active engagement and mutual reliance rather than isolated functioning. Successful teams move beyond parallel work toward an interdependent model where the collective input of the pharmacy, nursing, therapy, and medical staff creates a seamless and safe transition through the healthcare continuum.

Choice C rationale

While clinical experience is valuable, professional care planning must be grounded in evidence-based practice and standardized clinical protocols rather than personal anecdotes or subjective history alone. Relying solely on individual experience can introduce bias and inconsistency into the treatment plan. Interprofessional teams utilize collective, validated data and shared clinical guidelines to ensure that interventions are scientifically sound and provide the highest level of safety. Personal intuition should supplement, not replace, objective clinical reasoning and collaborative evidence-based decision-making.

Choice D rationale

Modern healthcare has shifted from a paternalistic, physician-centric model to a collaborative partnership where all team members contribute to decision-making. Following only one professional's orders ignores the vital contributions of nurses, social workers, and therapists who provide unique insights into client stability and discharge needs. An essential skill of an effective team is the empowerment of all members to voice concerns and suggestions. This flattened hierarchy improves communication, enhances patient safety, and ensures that all aspects of the client's health are monitored.

Choice A rationale

The nurse manager's role is to ensure patient safety and follow administrative protocols, not to provide personal therapy or clinical counseling to employees. Chemical dependency is a complex medical condition that requires professional intervention from addiction specialists. While the manager should be supportive, they must maintain professional boundaries. Offering counseling themselves could delay the nurse getting appropriate help from an employee assistance program or a structured treatment center designed to handle substance use disorders.

Choice B rationale

If a nurse is suspected of being under the influence, they are considered impaired and unsafe to drive. Arranging transportation is a vital safety measure to protect the nurse and the public from potential accidents. This action fulfills the manager's duty of care toward the employee after they have been removed from clinical duties. It ensures that the nurse reaches a safe location without incident while the manager proceeds with the necessary administrative and diagnostic steps.

Choice C rationale

When a nurse is suspected of being under the influence, the manager must take immediate action to remove them from patient care. Waiting 72 hours to address the situation is a violation of safety protocols and leaves patients at risk. The nurse should be confronted immediately, removed from the floor, and requested to undergo drug testing according to facility policy. Delaying the meeting would also allow the substance to clear the nurse's system, making testing ineffective.

Choice D rationale

Allowing an impaired nurse to complete a shift, even under supervision, is a significant risk to patient safety. Chemical impairment affects judgment, motor skills, and reaction times, which are all critical for nursing tasks like medication administration. If an error occurs while the manager knows the nurse is impaired, the manager and the facility could be held legally liable. The only appropriate action is to immediately relieve the nurse of all clinical responsibilities to ensure safety.