Question

A hospital's policy requires that all nurse managers must have a minimum of a

bachelor's degree in nursing. A BSN nurse new to the hospital has recently been hired as nurse manager for the oncology unit. An RN who has worked on this unit for many years is unable to be promoted to a nurse manager position because of their educational status, and now they've been commenting to physicians and staff, "The new nurse manager has book sense but no leadership abilities." *What is the best approach that can be used by the new nurse manager who is attempting to gain the trust and respect of the nursing staff on the unit?*
A. Send memos to all staff except the upset nurse to invite them to a luncheon.
B. Ask management to transfer the upset nurse to another unit.
C. Assign the upset nurse to committees that do not directly affect that nursing unit.
D. Acknowledge the clinical expertise of the upset nurse and clearly explain the
expectations for teamwork and open, honest communication.

Answer 1

The new nurse manager should acknowledge the expertise of the upset staff member and set clear expectations for teamwork and communication to build trust and respect.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best approach that the new nurse manager can use to gain the trust and respect of the nursing staff on the unit is option D: Acknowledge the clinical expertise of the upset nurse and clearly explain the expectations for teamwork and open, honest communication. By acknowledging the strengths and experience of the existing staff, the new nurse manager can demonstrate respect for their contributions and foster a collaborative work environment. Furthermore, setting clear expectations for communication and teamwork helps establish a professional standard and invites all staff to engage in constructive dialogue, thereby smoothing the transition and building a strong team dynamic.