Question

A nurse manager is experiencing considerable conflict among staff members because of weekend staffing coverage. During a called staff meeting, the nurse manager asks the disgruntled staff to meet as a group and determine the best staffing practices. In doing this, the nurse manager is using the concept of collaboration to:

1) Demonstrate interdependence.
2) Depict flexibility and broadmindedness.
3) Focus all energies of staff members on a best possible strategy.
4) Defuse the possibility that staff members will escalate their discontent when staffing the unit on weekends.

Answer 1

The nurse manager's use of collaboration by having staff determine the best staffing practices serves to unite their efforts towards an optimal strategy, demonstrates managerial flexibility, and may help defuse growing discontent.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the nurse manager asks the disgruntled staff to meet as a group and determine the best staffing practices, the concept of collaboration is primarily being used to focus all energies of staff members on a best possible strategy. By involving the staff in decision-making, the nurse manager is recognizing the need for a dedicated ICU Staff Nurse, and the important role each staff member plays as a mediate contributor to the team. It also shows a commitment to learning how to maintain a collegial working relationship, which is essential for creating a harmonious work environment, mitigating conflict, and managing work-related stress.

Moreover, collaboration in this context underscores the importance of building trust through good communication and reflects an emerging trend where manager/employee relationships are becoming more of an equal partnership. This inclusive approach can effectively depict flexibility and broadmindedness in the nurse manager and may help in defusing the possibility that staff members will escalate their discontent when staffing the unit on weekends.