Two new associate-degree graduates were hired for the pediatric unit. Both worked three 12-hour shifts a week, Jan in the day-to-evening shift and Ronnie at night. 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.
Ronnie, however, still felt unsure of herself and often isolated. “There have been times,” she told Jan, “that I am the only registered nurse on the unit all night. The aides and LPNs are really experienced, but that’s not enough. I wish I could work with an experienced nurse as you are doing.”
“Ronnie, you are not even finished with your 3-month orientation program,” said Jan. “You should never be left alone with all these sick children. Neither of us is ready for that kind of responsibility. And how will you get the experience you need with no experienced nurses to help you? You must speak to our nurse manager about this.”
“I know I should, but she’s so hard to reach. I’ve called several times, and she’s never available. She leaves all the shift assignments to her assistant. I’m not sure she even reviews the schedule before it’s posted.”
“You will have to try harder to reach her. Maybe you could stay past the end of your shift one morning and meet with her,” suggested Jan. “If something happens when you are the only nurse on the unit, you will be held responsible.”
1. In your own words, summarize the problem that Jan and Ronnie are discussing.To what extent is this problem due to a failure to lead? Who has failed to act?
2. What style of leadership was displayed by Ronnie and the nurse manager? How effective was their leadership? Did Jan’s leadership differ from that of Ronnie and the nurse manager? In what way?
3. In what ways has Ronnie been an effective follower? In what ways has Ronnie not been so effective as a follower?
4. If an emergency occurred and was not handled well while Ronnie was the only nurse on the unit, who would be responsible? Explain why this person or persons would be responsible.
5. If you found yourself in Ronnie’s situation, what steps would you take to resolve the problem? Show how the leader characteristics and behaviors found in this chapter support your solution to the problem.
Instructor very strict on plagiarism; automatic F if answers put through her software are proven to be online.
Also good if each question can be referenced by Nurse Leadership book.