Nursing Elites

1. A Nurse Manager completes an interruption log and identifies two staff members who take an inordinate amount of time with drop-in issues that are not urgent. What are some methods to address this behavior in an attempt to better manage time? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Designate specific time slots for drop-in visits.
• B. Position the desk chair so it is not facing the hallway.
• C. Communicate with staff about using e-mail for non-urgent matters to improve time management.
• D. When staff members drop in, the manager should stand and remain standing during the conversation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Designating specific time slots for drop-in visits helps in managing interruptions effectively by consolidating them into designated periods. This approach allows the Nurse Manager to allocate focused time for addressing these issues without disrupting workflow. Option B, repositioning the desk chair, is not a standard strategy for managing time or interruptions. Option C, promoting the use of e-mail for non-urgent matters, may help in some cases but may not entirely address the behavior of extended drop-in visits. Option D, standing during conversations, may not be practical for longer discussions and does not provide a structured approach to address time management issues.

2. Which of the following is an example of total time lost?

• A. Number of days off that an employee asks for
• B. Number of scheduled days missed
• C. Number of days missed
• D. Number of days perceived to be absent

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Total time lost refers to the number of scheduled days that an employee misses. This includes days that were planned to be worked but were not. Choice A, 'Number of days off that an employee asks for,' is not necessarily time lost as these are approved absences. Choice C, 'Number of days missed,' is vague and does not specify if they are scheduled or unscheduled. Choice D, 'Number of days perceived to be absent,' is subjective and does not clearly relate to scheduled time lost.

3. Change is a mandatory skill for managers. Successful change agents display certain characteristics. Some of these characteristics are: (Select all that apply.)

• A. Energy
• B. Confidence
• C. Ambiguity
• D. Trustworthiness

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: Ambiguity.' The rationale behind this is that the provided list of characteristics that successful change agents demonstrate includes 'realistic thinking' as one of the traits, not 'ambiguity.' Therefore, 'A: Energy,' 'B: Confidence,' and 'D: Trustworthiness' are not among the characteristics mentioned in the extract.

4. While interviewing for a position at City Hospital, the nurse asks about the organizational structure of the institution. She is told that the hospital is organized into departments based on specialty (e.g., nursing, dietary, pharmacy, etc.). Based on what you know about organizational structure, select the structure in this example.

• A. Parallel
• B. Functional
• C. Service-integrated
• D. Matrix

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Functional.' In a functional structure, organizations group employees into departments based on specialty, where similar tasks are performed by the same group. In this scenario, the hospital organizing its departments by specialty such as nursing, dietary, and pharmacy aligns with the characteristics of a functional structure. Choice A, 'Parallel,' does not fit the scenario described; parallel structures involve separate, independent units operating in parallel with little interaction. Choice C, 'Service-integrated,' does not align with the scenario either as it involves integrating services across departments. Choice D, 'Matrix,' is not the correct answer as it involves a complex organizational structure where employees report to multiple managers simultaneously, which is not the case in the scenario provided.

5. A nurse has a seriously ill parent and must take care of the parent at home. Which of the following would NOT be a suitable solution to this problem? (EXCEPT)

• A. Resignation
• B. FMLA
• C. Termination
• D. LOA

Correct answer: C

Rationale: FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to care for a seriously ill family member, securing the employee's job status. Termination and resignation involve ending employment, which is not a suitable solution as it does not provide job security. LOA (Leave of Absence) is often unpaid and does not guarantee job protection, making it less suitable than FMLA in this scenario.

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