The nurse manager has identified physical-assessment skills lacking in a new registered nurse. Using goal-setting theory, which directive would be most effective in enhancing the nurse's assessment skills?

Question

1. "Plan to study one body system each week, and demonstrate your assessment skills to me each week."
2. "Get someone to help you with your health-assessment skills by the end of the month."
3. "Read a health-assessment book and practice your skills, or else you might lose your job."
4. "You need to work on your health-assessment skills before your next employee evaluation."

Answer 1

Answer: 1

Rationale: The manager needs to set systematic and measurable goals with the employee to facilitate this change in behavior. The manager will follow up with the employee each week. Ordering the nurse to get someone to help or to read a book, or implying a threat, is not helpful. Instructing the nurse to develop the skills before the next evaluation implies a threat. Without providing a process and time frame to accomplish these goals, the new registered nurse will not be motivated. The new registered nurse needs a mentor or colleague who can oversee the skill acquisition to help motivate the nurse.