Question

Susan began working the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift as charge nurse 3 weeks ago. When the day charge nurse, Kim, gave her reports, she always complained about how difficult her day had been, how demanding the physicians were, and why she could not complete all of her work during her shift. For the first few weeks, Susan felt sorry for Kim and would finish Kim’s work without complaining as a way of helping out. As the new nurse on the unit, Susan was not sure if this was just a common practice for the unit and felt hesitant about bringing up the issue to the unit manager, although she was always behind on her shift as a result of finishing Kim’s work. On one particularly busy day, Susan became so irritated that she shouted at Kim during report, “What is the matter with you? You never seem to have a good day and always leave your work for me to complete. I’m just tired of your excuses!”

Questions for Thought

1. Identify the behavior that Susan exhibited that enabled Kim to continue her habit of leaving work unfinished.

2. What would have been a more productive way for Susan to handle this situation?

3. What action would you take as a nurse manager to resolve this issue?

Answer 1

Susan felt sorry for Kim and finished of Kim's work for weeks.She didn't ask the main reason for not completing her work everyday and continued to finish off Kim's work.This behaviour encouraged Kim to explain everyday about the work she can't finish and to leave work for Susan to complete.

2)Susan should have calmly explain to Kim that she can't do her work even if it is unfinished and as a nurse we should complet the work given to us.And she should explain to Kim that she is completing her work and Kim's work daily for weeks which result in always being behind on her shift.And explain to.Kim that she can't complete.her work from next day and if she not changes her way of working then she would complain to unit manager.

3)I would warn Kim to complete her work as other nurse do and explain to her if she continues her behaviour like this they should will be removed from the work.And I would explain to Susan that shoutons is not professional and explain to her that there is no need to complete others work because they are making excuses.