Question

As the RN charge nurse on the night shift in a small long-term care facility, you've found that there is little turnover among your LPN and nursing assistant (NA) staff members, but they are not very motivated to go beyond their job descriptions in their work. Which of the following strategies might motivate the staff and lead to greater job satisfaction?

a. Ask the director of nursing to offer higher wages and bonuses for extra work for the night LPNs and NAs.
b. Allow the LPNs and NAs greater decision-making power within the scope of their positions in the institution.
c. Help the LPNs and NAs with their work, whenever possible.
d. Ask the director of nursing to increase job security for night staff by having them sign contracts that guarantee work.

Answer 1

To motivate LPNs and NAs in a long-term care facility, allowing them greater decision-making power and providing assistance with their work can lead to greater job satisfaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

To motivate the LPNs and NAs and lead to greater job satisfaction in a small long-term care facility, the strategy that would be most effective is option b. Allowing the LPNs and NAs greater decision-making power within the scope of their positions in the institution. Giving them more autonomy and the ability to have input in their day-to-day duties can help them feel more valued and engaged in their work.

Additionally, option c. Helping the LPNs and NAs with their work, whenever possible, can also be beneficial. As the RN charge nurse, offering support and assistance to the LPNs and NAs can show them that you value their efforts and are willing to go beyond your own job description to help them.

Option a. asking the director of nursing to offer higher wages and bonuses for extra work can certainly be a motivator, but it may not address the larger issue of job satisfaction and engagement. Simply increasing wages may not necessarily lead to a greater sense of fulfillment in their work.