Two new associate-degree graduates were hired for the pediatric unit. Both worked three 12-hour shifts a week; Jan worked the day-to-evening shift and Rosemary worked the night shift. Whenever their shifts connected, they would compare notes on their experience. Jan felt she was learning rapidly, gaining clinical skills and beginning to feel at ease with her colleagues.
Rosemary, however, still felt unsure of herself and often isolated. There have been times that she was the only registered nurse on the unit all night. The aides and LPNs were very experienced, but Rosemary feels she is not ready for that kind of responsibility. Rosemary knows she must speak to the nurse manager about this, but she’s called several times, and she’s never available. The shift assignments are left in the staff lounge by an assistant.
Questions
Your discussion post should answer the following questions in a well-constructed commentary. Use references, in APA format, where appropriate.
- To what extent is this problem due to a failure to lead? Who has failed to act?
- What style of leadership was displayed by Rosemary? The nurse manager?
- How effective was their leadership? What are your suggestions for Rosemary?
Please make an initial post by midweek, and respond to at least two other students’ posts with substantial details that demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, and critical thinking. Remember that your posts must exhibit appropriate writing mechanics including using proper language, cordiality, and proper grammar and punctuation. If you refer to any outside sources or reference materials be sure to provide proper attribution and/or citation.
Bottom of Form
The scenario presented describes a situation where two new associate-degree graduates were hired for the pediatric unit. Although they both worked three 12-hour shifts a week, Jan worked the day-to-evening shift, while Rosemary worked the night shift. Whenever their shifts connected, they would compare notes on their experience. Jan felt she was learning rapidly and gaining clinical skills, while Rosemary still felt unsure of herself and often isolated. There have been times that she was the only registered nurse on the unit all night. The aides and LPNs were very experienced, but Rosemary feels she is not ready for that kind of responsibility. Rosemary knows she must speak to the nurse manager about this, but she’s called several times, and she’s never available. The shift assignments are left in the staff lounge by an assistant.
- The problem is mainly due to a failure to lead, specifically on the part of the nurse manager. The nurse manager failed to act by not being available to listen to Rosemary’s concerns. Ineffective communication between Rosemary and the nurse manager leads to Rosemary feeling unsupported and unprepared to handle her responsibilities on the pediatric unit. As a result, Rosemary is not able to fully develop her skills and expertise and may become a liability for the unit. Effective leadership involves providing adequate support to team members, including offering guidance and advice when needed.
- Rosemary displayed a passive leadership style by failing to take action to address her concerns about her lack of experience and feeling isolated on the unit. On the other hand, the nurse manager displayed an authoritarian leadership style by not being available to listen to Rosemary’s concerns. Authoritarian leadership style can create an environment where employees feel unsupported, leading to low morale, and decreased productivity.
- The nurse manager’s leadership style was not effective in addressing Rosemary’s concerns. Effective leadership involves creating a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns and receiving feedback. Rosemary should consider trying to schedule an appointment with the nurse manager to discuss her concerns. She should also seek support from more experienced colleagues on the unit to help her gain more confidence in handling her responsibilities. In addition, the nurse manager should consider adopting a more supportive leadership style that emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and communication.
In conclusion, effective leadership is critical to the success of any organization. In healthcare, it is essential that leaders provide adequate support to their team members, especially new graduates. In the scenario presented, the nurse manager failed to provide the necessary support to Rosemary, leading to her feeling isolated and unprepared to handle her responsibilities on the pediatric unit. By adopting a more supportive leadership style, the nurse manager can create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns, receiving feedback, and working together as a team.