Question

A charge nurse notices that one of the nurses on the shift frequently violates unit policies by taking an extended amount of time for break. Which of the following statements should the charge nurse make to address this conflict?

a."I would like to talk to you about the unit policies regarding break time."
b. "If you continue to take a long lunch break, I will have to report this to the nurse manager."
c. "Have you thought about how your extended lunch breaks affect the other members of our team?"
d. "Did you inform the other members of your team about when you left and returned from break?"

Answer 1

The charge nurse should use a professional, non-confrontational statement to address the nurse's extended breaks, such as stating the intent to discuss unit policies on break time.

Step-by-step explanation:

To address the conflict of a nurse taking extended breaks, the charge nurse should choose an approach that is professional and focuses on the issue while considering the team's dynamics. The most effective statement among the options provided would be:

"I would like to talk to you about the unit policies regarding break time."

This statement is straightforward, non-confrontational, and sets the stage for a discussion about the policy violations. It avoids accusations and maintains a professional tone, which can help in resolving the situation amicably.

Comparatively, the other options are less effective because they either come across as too direct and disciplinary, like option (b), or might not immediately address the core issue of policy violation, such as options (c) and (d).