Practice 50 Situational Nursing interview questions covering clinical judgment, patient safety, and critical response scenarios.
Question 28 of 50
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Dianne Barnard is a Registered Nurse and former nursing instructor. She is also board certified in Psychiatric Nursing and Holistic Nursing Critical Care.
This is a management and leadership issue which impacts other staff members' lives and team morale. However, it's worth taking the opportunity to address it with the coworker individually before elevating it to leadership. There is something happening if leadership is not addressing it, as they would be alerted if they were chronically punching or signing in late. It may be that the time clock is a distance walk to the unit, or they stop at the cafeteria on the way for coffee and the result is they are late for their shift. It is not helpful to be passive-aggressive and complain to other staff members. Learn to have the uncomfortable conversation directly, kindly, and professionally with the person or people that need to hear it.

Dianne Barnard is a Registered Nurse and former nursing instructor. She is also board certified in Psychiatric Nursing and Holistic Nursing Critical Care.
"Laine, can I speak to you privately for a minute? Is something going on? I am a little concerned. This is the third time this week you have been at least 10 minutes late, and it's really affecting me, as I have to leave to get my kids on the bus. I've not mentioned this to leadership. I wanted to talk to you first and ask you to be here on time to relieve me. Will you please do that? I would appreciate that very much."
"After a few instances, I would address this issue with my coworker directly. I would let her know that her coming in late is causing me to be late to take my daughter to school, and the situation can't continue. If it continues after this point, I would bring it up to the charge nurse on my shift."

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Written by Dianne Barnard
50 Questions & Answers • Situational Nursing

By Dianne

By Dianne