Question

The nurse manager has one or two staff nurses who frequently inform the manager of things that were done incorrectly on the unit even when it is a minor infraction. What does this indicate?

1) The nurse manager is trusted by these two staff nurses.
2) The nurse manager is not observing unit care closely enough.
3) There is distrust in the group due to lack of confidentiality.
4) The two nurses are disliked by the rest of the group.

Answer 1

Frequent reports of minor infractions by staff nurses to a nurse manager could suggest either a good line of trust and communication or potential issues within the team dynamics. It is essential to consider the broader work environment and relationships to accurately diagnose the situation.

Step-by-step explanation:

If staff nurses frequently inform the nurse manager about minor infractions on the unit, it could indicate several things. However, without additional context, it is hard to pinpoint the exact reason perfectly. The behavior could indicate that the nurses trust the nurse manager and feel comfortable reporting issues, suggesting a good communication channel. Conversely, it might suggest a lack of team cohesion or issues with unit care oversight. It is not definitive enough to conclude without doubt that this behavior indicates distrust within the group or unpopularity of the two nurses among their peers.

In an ideal scenario, a nurse manager should be approachable and viewed as a support figure, someone who is trustworthy and can address concerns without causing team discord. An effective manager fosters an environment where constructive feedback is valued over punitive measures for minor errors, and where there's a strong sense of team collaboration as opposed to individual blame.