An employee is sabotaging the work of a newly oriented charge nurse, and the charge nurse has not been successful in addressing the problem. When the nurse manager addresses the issue, which is the most appropriate statement?

Question

1. "I know it must be frustrating working with a new charge nurse, but how can we make this situation better?"
2. "This is not professional behavior, and you need to stop it or you will lose your job the next time I hear about it."
3. "I know the charge nurse is new to the role, but you should get used to it or there will be more changes."
4. "I know the new charge nurse is difficult to work with, but please help make the job easier to do."

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: Acknowledging the person's frustration validates his or her feelings, and asking for input helps makes him or her part of the solution.
Rationale 2: This statement is confrontational and is unlikely to result in a positive response from the employee.
Rationale 3: Threatening the employee, no matter how veiled the threat, is confrontational and is unlikely to result in a positive response.
Rationale 4: Patronizing remarks are condescending and are not likely to result in a positive employee response.
Global Rationale: