Question

A nurse manager conducts rounds on the unit and discovers that expired stock medicine is still in the cabinet despite the e-mail that was sent stating that it had to be discarded. The staff nurse dress code is not being adhered to as requested in the same e-mail. Several staff nurses deny having received the e-mail. Which action should the nurse manager take?

a.Close the staff lounge.
b.Enforce a stricter dress code.
c.Include the findings on each staff member's annual evaluation.
d.Place a hard copy of announcements and unit policies in each staff member's mailbox.

Answer 1

The best course of action for the nurse manager is to place a hard copy of announcements and unit policies in each staff member's mailbox to ensure all staff receive and can refer to the information, thereby improving compliance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When discovering that policies such as the disposal of expired stock medicine and staff dress code adherence are not being followed, a nurse manager should consider communication and enforcement strategies that ensure compliance. Given the scenario, it appears that emails alone are insufficient for informing staff. Therefore, the nurse manager's action plan should ensure clearer communication and verification that the information has been received and understood.

The most appropriate action to take would be option d: Place a hard copy of announcements and unit policies in each staff member's mailbox. This ensures that each staff member has a physical reminder of the policies and can refer back to it as needed. It also circumvents any potential issues with email delivery or staff not regularly checking their electronic correspondence. Follow-up discussions and meetings can reinforce the importance of adherence to policies.