Question

The nurse is reviewing the work of nursing assistive personnel (NAP) and notices that one of them is consistently delivering a dissatisfactory performance. What should the nurse do? Select all that apply.

1. Assign another task.
2. Give constructive and appropriate feedback.
3. Schedule additional training with the educational department.
4. Focus on things that can be changed and give specific detail.
5. Involve other colleagues while giving the feedback to the person so that others do not make the same mistake.

Answer 1

The nurse should give constructive and appropriate feedback, schedule additional training if necessary, and focus on actionable changes while providing specific details for improvement. Feedback should be given privately to maintain professionalism and dignity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Addressing Nursing Assistive Personnel Performance Issues

When a nurse notices that a member of the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) is consistently delivering subpar performance, there are several steps they can take. Potential actions include:

1. Assigning another task: While not always immediately constructive, reassigning tasks can be a temporary solution if the individual's performance is directly affecting patient safety or care quality.
2. Give constructive and appropriate feedback: This is crucial in helping the individual understand where they are falling short and how they can improve. Feedback should be objective, non-judgmental, and focused on behaviors rather than personal attributes.
3. Schedule additional training with the educational department: If the performance issues are due to a lack of skills or knowledge, arranging for additional, targeted training might resolve these issues.
4. Focus on things that can be changed and give specific detail: Feedback should be action-oriented, providing clear, achievable steps for improvement.

In terms of the other options presented, it is generally not considered best practice to involve other colleagues while giving feedback as it may cause embarrassment and could be seen as unprofessional. Feedback should ideally be given in a private, one-on-one setting. This maintains the dignity of the individual and fosters a more open dialogue about performance issues.

Overall, the nurse should also ensure to follow-up after providing feedback and training to see if there has been an improvement in performance. Keeping track of progress is important to ensure the success of any corrective actions taken.